Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
The welcome offer, the seat benefits, the free bag and anniversary points, the protection, and whether the $229 fee pays for itself.
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Airline cards · Chase
Welcome offer
60,000 points
Annual fee
$229
60,000 bonus points after $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Not available to anyone holding a Southwest personal card or who received a Southwest card bonus in the past 24 months.
Foreign transaction fees: NoneRewards: Southwest Rapid Rewards points
The Atelier Take
For Southwest regulars, the seat benefits now make the difference worth paying for.
Who it suits
Frequent Southwest flyers who value choosing a better seat and want help toward A-List.
Who should skip it
Anyone who only wants the free bag: the Plus card has it for $99.
Annual benefits, and the catch
Anniversary points
7,500 points a year
About $94 at TPG’s 1.25¢ valuation.
Preferred seat at booking
Every booking, when available
Subject to availability.
Extra Legroom upgrade
Unlimited, within 48 hours
Only in the 48 hours before departure, subject to availability.
Instacart credit
Up to $120 a year
Purchases made directly through Instacart, only in months with an active Instacart+ membership (three months included, then paid unless canceled).
What it earns
Rewards: Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
4x
Southwest purchases
2x
Gas stations and restaurants
5x
Lyft rides
Through December 31, 2027
1x
Everything else
TPG values Rapid Rewards points at 1.25¢ each. Southwest award prices move with cash fares, so a point is worth roughly the same on most flights. Points do not expire, and Southwest still charges no change fees.
Southwest benefits
Free first checked bag
For the cardholder and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation. Chase puts the saving at $45 per bag per trip, up to $90 per round trip.
A-List progress
2,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent each year.
Group 5 boarding
For the cardholder and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation.
Companion Pass boost
10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year.
25% back in flight
On inflight purchases paid with the card.
DashPass
12 months free when activated by December 31, 2027, plus $10 off one non-restaurant DoorDash order each quarter while enrolled; DashPass then renews at the monthly rate unless canceled.
Will the $229 fee pay off?
Enter what would go on this card. The result values points at TPG’s valuation, adds the credits that would actually be used and, in year one, the welcome offer, then sets the total against a no-fee card that pays 2% back on everything.
1 · Spending on this card
Example figures are filled in; replace them with real ones.
Southwest flights and other Southwest purchases
4x
Restaurants
2x
Gas
2x
Groceries
1x
Hotels
1x
Everything else
1x
2 · Credits that would be used
Tick only what would be used anyway, at full value.
3 · Assumptions
The result
Not counted: Preferred and Extra Legroom seats, A-List progress, the Companion Pass boost, 5x on Lyft rides (counted as everything else) and DashPass.
Insurance and protections
Chase lists these on the card’s page; the Guide to Benefits has the full terms. Pay for the trip or purchase with the card to be covered.
Lost luggage
Up to $3,000 per traveler for lost, damaged or stolen bags.
Baggage delay
Up to $100 a day for 3 days for essentials when bags are delayed more than 6 hours.
Purchase protection
Damage or theft within 120 days of purchase, up to $500 per item.
Extended warranty
Adds one year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Preferred seat at booking and Extra Legroom upgrades
- Anniversary points offset part of the fee
- 4x on Southwest purchases
- Spending counts toward A-List
Cons
- $229 fee
- Points only useful on Southwest
- The $99 Plus card covers the bag benefit
Card terms change often and some offers are personalized; the issuer’s page is the final word.