Airlines cards, like the card_name, can be an ideal card if you fly the airline of the card regularly. That’s the case with the Southwest Priority card. It’s one to consider applying for if you fly Southwest.
The other cards offered by Southwest are the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, Southwest Premier Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card. Each of these cards is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. Therefore, you need to determine your 5/24 status before applying.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Details
card_name earns 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The bonus is not available if you are a current card member or have received a bonus on any Southwest card in the past 24 months. The restriction does not apply to Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card members.
The $149 annual fee is not waived during the first year on this card. In addition, the card does not have foreign transaction fees. After paying your annual fee, you receive 7,500 bonus points every year.
There’s a limited-time offer to earn the Companion Pass through 2/28/23 plus earn 30,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. This can be an easy way to unlock a ton of value for new card members.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Credits
Cardmembers receive a $75 Southwest travel credit every year. This credit can be used for Southwest purchases, excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases.
What’s great about this credit is that it effectively reduces the annual fee to $75 every year. Simply use the credit every year, and you reduce your annual fee by half.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Perks
Cardmembers receive Four Upgraded Boardings, 20% Off Inflight Purchases, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Baggage Delay Insurance, and the ability to earn Tier Qualifying Points. Concerning luggage/bags, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and AmEx Platinum offer insurance coverage that is more extensive than the card_name insurance coverage.
Use the Four Upgraded Boardings on any ticket to move up to an A1-15 boarding position. These positions range from $30-$50 per ticket, giving you the potential to save $120-$200 per year in boarding fees.
You receive 20% back on inflight purchases made with your card for drinks and WiFi. The credit is in the form of a statement credit. Authorized user purchases count as well.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement covers up to $3,000 per passenger. This coverage kicks in when your checked or carry-on bags are damaged or lost. You must use your card for the purchase of your flight to receive this coverage.
Baggage Delay Insurance covers you for purchases like clothing and toiletries. This benefit is available if your bags are delayed for more than six hours. Each passenger receives up to $100 per day for up to three days.
Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are what you need to earn for Southwest’s elite status. Cardmembers can earn up to 15,000 TQPs per year as well as earn 1,500 TQPs per $10,000 that you spend on the card. Top-Tier A-list status requires 35,000 TQPs or 25,000 one-way flights per year to earn.
How to Earn Miles with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
card_name earns points at the following rates:
- 3X points on Southwest purchases
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2x miles per $1 is not the highest earn rate for the airfare and travel categories. The AmEx Platinum and Citi Prestige earn 5x points per $1 on airfare. You earn 3x points per $1 on travel with the AmEx Green and Chase Sapphire Reserve.
How to Redeem Miles with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Southwest does not use an award chart. As a result, the number of miles required is based on the cash cost of the flight. This value is roughly 1.5 cents per mile.
Southwest flies to more than 100 destinations. These destinations cover the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Destinations to flag include the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, Punta Cana, Grand Cayman, Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Kauai, and Maui.
What Cards Compete with the Southwest Priority Card?
The United Explorer Card, AmEx Delta Gold, and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select cards compete with the Southwest Priority Card.
United Explorer Cardmembers earn 2x miles on United, at restaurants, and on hotel stays. You earn 2x miles at restaurants and US supermarkets with the AmEx Delta Gold. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select cardmembers earn 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, and at restaurants and gas stations.
Conclusion on the Southwest Priority Card
The name of the game with the Southwest Priority Card is to use the yearly credit and the upgraded boardings. If you utilize these perks, you can offset your annual fee. By not utilizing the yearly credits and upgraded boardings, it likely does not make sense to hold onto this card long-term.
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