Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – 2025 Review

Quick Stats at a Glance

Card Overview and Positioning

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card stands at the top of the consumer Southwest lineup (above Plus and Premier) offering bigger perks: a $75 travel credit annually and 4 Upgraded Boardings each cardmember year, plus 7,500 bonus points each anniversary. These alone can offset the $149 annual fee if you leverage them effectively. Southwest remains an attractive option for domestic flights with free checked bags and no change fees. If you’re chasing the famous Southwest Companion Pass, the points from this card can speed you there, making the Priority version ideal for moderate-to-frequent flyers who want the best consumer-tier Southwest card.

Earning Points & Everyday Spending

Typically, you earn:

• 2x points on Southwest purchases
• 2x points in bonus categories like local transit, internet/cable, or phone services (these categories can vary year to year—verify for 2025)
• 1x points on all other purchases

You also get Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) from your card spend each year, helping you approach or achieve A-List or A-List Preferred if you fly frequently. For instance, you might earn 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 in spend up to a certain cap. The exact structure can shift, so always confirm. If you prefer a more robust everyday earner (like 3x or 4x on dining/groceries), you might pair this card with a general travel card while using the Priority card for Southwest flights (and to redeem the $75 credit).

Redeeming Your Southwest Points

Southwest uses a fare-based redemption system where the points required reflect the cash price of the flight. Typically, you see ~1.4–1.5 cents per point in Wanna Get Away fares, though it can vary. There are no blackout dates, and your points never expire as long as your account remains open. You can’t directly redeem for partner flights since Southwest doesn’t have alliances, but you can use More Rewards to redeem for gift cards or other items (often at lower value). The best approach: redeem for Wanna Get Away flights. If you achieve the Companion Pass, you effectively get “2-for-1” flights with your designated companion, drastically boosting your point’s value.

Travel & Airline Perks

• $75 Annual Travel Credit:Automatic statement credit for Southwest purchases each cardmember year. This can quickly reduce net cost from $149 to $74 if you do at least $75 in flights or inflight purchases.
• 7,500 Anniversary Points: Credited each cardmember anniversary. Valued ~$105–$112 (assuming ~1.5 cents/point), which further offsets the fee.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings:Reimbursements for purchasing upgraded positions (A1–A15) each year, subject to availability. This can be worth ~$30–$50 each time, letting you skip EarlyBird or get prime overhead bin space.
• Two Free Checked Bags on Southwest: Actually a standard airline policy for all Southwest flyers— not unique to the card, but helpful if you consistently check luggage.
• In-Flight WiFi/Refreshment Credits:Some versions occasionally have partial WiFi credit, but confirm for 2025 if that’s included or changes.

No Foreign Transaction Fee & Domestic Travel Focus

Southwest primarily serves domestic U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and some Central American destinations. Even so, the Priority Card charges no FTF, which is helpful if you do end up traveling out of the country (like Cancun or Montego Bay). The card is a Visa, widely accepted if you do any broader international travel. Meanwhile, you still earn at least 1x on foreign spend. That said, if you require lounge access or more extensive foreign travel coverage, you might consider a general premium card as a supplement.

Annual Fee & Welcome Bonus

The Priority card’s annual fee stands at $149. However, the $75 credit + 7,500 anniversary points can offset that if you use them fully. The sign-up bonus can be 50k–80k points (sometimes more) after meeting a certain spend threshold. That can be worth $700–$1,000 or more in Wanna Get Away fares, plus it counts toward Companion Pass. If the pass requires ~125k points in a calendar year, this bonus plus some card spend and flights can quickly push you toward free flights for your companion.

2025 Updates & Potential Changes

1. New Companion Pass Thresholds:Southwest often tweaks the required points or flights for the pass. Keep an eye on official announcements each January for changes in 2025.
2. Upgraded Boarding Overhauls:The 4 Upgraded Boardings might shift in how they’re credited or reimbursed. Could become a statement credit or digital pass; watch for updates.
3. Category Expansions: Chase might add or rotate bonus categories (like 2x on streaming or phone services). Confirm your statement for final details each year.
4. Anniversary Points Increase/Decrease:The current 7,500 might become 8k or 6k if the program sees structural changes. Historically it’s stayed at 7,500, but be mindful of official statements.

Always re-verify official terms from Southwest or Chase each year if changes might impact your travel or card usage.

Real-Life Example: Annual Value

Suppose you spend $2,000 on Southwest flights, and you buy Upgraded Boarding 3 times for $45 each, plus you easily use your $75 travel credit. Let’s see potential offset:

That’s already about $320 in annual value (not even counting the points you earn from flight spend), easily exceeding the $149 fee. If you fully use 4 upgraded boardings, it might be $180 in savings. Then factor in your everyday 2x categories for more points, especially if you’re aiming for the Companion Pass.

Competitor Analysis

The Priority card stands out if you want the highest Southwest consumer-tier perks. If you want a minimal fee and are okay with fewer goodies, the Premier or Plus might suffice. But to maximize flight comfort and offset the higher fee, the Priority is the most robust choice among Southwest’s personal cards.

Pairing with Other Cards

If you also hold a Chase Sapphire card, you can’t transfer Ultimate Rewards points directly to Southwest to count towards Companion Pass. You can transfer UR → Southwest for booking flights, but such transferred points do not usually count toward CP. If your goal is purely the pass, then focusing on the Priority’s spend and sign-up bonus is key. Meanwhile, if you want a broad travel approach (like 3x on dining from Sapphire Reserve), you can earn UR and redeem them for flights. But CP threshold is best reached with actual Southwest-coded points from flights or co-branded spend. You might keep a second card for categories not covered by the Priority card (like 3x or 4x groceries/dining from a competitor), then rely on the Priority for Southwest flights (2x or 3x if that changes in 2025) and for extracting the $75 credit.

Southwest Elite Status & Companion Pass

Southwest doesn’t have a typical “elite” structure but offers A-List, A-List Preferred, and the revered Companion Pass. The Priority card helps you earn tier qualifying points (TQPs) if you spend enough each year ($10,000 increments might yield 1,500 TQPs). The sign-up bonus does count toward the Companion Pass (unlike some carriers). Achieving that pass can be the biggest payoff: nearly two years of free flights for your companion, paying only taxes/fees. Many cardholders open the Priority near year’s start, meet the bonus quickly, and enjoy the pass for the remainder of the year plus the entire next calendar year— that’s a massive travel hack if you time it correctly.

Potential Downsides

• $149 Annual Fee: Higher than the $99 or $69 SW cards, but offset if you use the $75 credit, upgraded boardings, etc.
• No Big Bonus Categories: Typically just 2x on Southwest & certain categories, so if you want bigger daily multipliers, look elsewhere or pair another card.
• Southwest’s No Assigned Seats:Some travelers dislike the open seating. Upgraded boardings help, but it’s still a unique process. If you prefer assigned seats or lounge perks, you might go for a different airline card.
• Limited International Network:Southwest’s route map mostly covers the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. If you want flights to Europe/Asia, you can’t do that with Southwest points alone (no major global alliance or codeshares for long-hauls).

Advanced Usage Tips

1. Plan for Companion Pass Timing: If possible, open the card early in the year, meet the bonus threshold quickly, and lock in nearly 24 months of the pass once achieved.
2. Maximize $75 Travel Credit:Use it for flights or in-flight wifi. Don’t let it expire; it resets each anniversary, not calendar year.
3. Use All 4 Upgraded Boardings:They can each be worth $30–$50. That’s $120–$200 in potential value if you consistently choose them for busy flights.
4. Pay SW taxes/fees with the card:If you redeem a points flight, you still owe $5.60 or more in TSA or international taxes. That spending might help you if you’re pushing for a TQP threshold (though small amounts, every bit can help). More relevant for large fees on international routes like from the Caribbean/Latin America.
5. Combine Sign-Up + Ongoing Spend to Hit CP: If the pass requires 125k points in 2025, and your sign-up bonus covers 60k–80k, you might only need 45k–65k more from flights or card spend. Strategize your big bills (like insurance, rent with no fees, if possible) to funnel them here for CP synergy.

Another Example: Companion Pass Strategy

Let’s say you get a 60k sign-up bonus in January 2025 after spending $3,000. Now you have 63k total points (the extra 3k from normal spend). You need ~62k more points to reach 125k. If you spend $30k on the card for the year (earning 1–2x), plus maybe a few flights, you might cross 125k by mid-year, unlocking free companion for the remainder of 2025 plus all of 2026. Meanwhile, the $75 credit, 7,500 anniversary points, and 4 Upgraded Boardings add further value. By year-end, you might have enjoyed multiple 2-for-1 trips, drastically offsetting the $149 AF.

Who Should Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card?

Disclaimers & Fine Print

All details (APR, sign-up bonus, 2x categories, TQP thresholds) can change. Always verify official sources from Chase or Southwest. The $75 credit is per cardmember year, not necessarily the same as calendar year. Upgraded Boardings are subject to seat availability in A1–A15. Taxes/fees on award flights or for the Companion are not waived; you pay them. If you revolve a balance, interest charges will overshadow any flight savings. Typically, you need good/excellent credit. The Southwest route map is domestic-focused plus some Caribbean/Mexico. If you want flights to Europe/Asia, you can’t use Southwest points. Terms for TQPs or how CP points are counted can shift each year.

Final Thoughts: Is the Southwest Priority Card Worth It?

For frequent Southwest flyers who appreciate free bags, flexible rebooking, and a shot at the Companion Pass, the Priority version stands out. Its $75 credit, 7,500 anniversary points, and 4 Upgraded Boardings justify the $149 fee if you regularly use them. The sign-up bonus can push you closer to the pass, offering two-for-one flight deals for up to two years if timed well. Upgraded Boardings can significantly enhance your inflight experience, especially if you want a guaranteed overhead bin.

If you rarely fly Southwest or prefer lounge access, assigned seats, or a broader global route map, this may not be your best bet. But for domestic travelers, families, or those chasing the pass, Southwest Priority remains a top-tier option. Always confirm official terms and route expansions, then enjoy your next open-seating flight with prime overhead bin real estate thanks to an Upgraded Boarding on the house!