The limited-time offers on the Southwest credit cards have ended, but the lower-tier Plus and Priority bonuses are still very good bonuses. Read more in my commentary, below.
Here are the current Southwest credit card sign-up bonuses:
The best Southwest credit card sign-up bonuses
 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Annual fee: $99 | Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply. |
 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Annual fee: $149 | Sign-up bonus: Earn 55,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply. |
 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Annual fee: $229 | Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply. |
 Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card Annual fee: $149 | Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply. |
 Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card Annual fee: $299 | Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply. |
Quick take: Low-end Southwest cards offer good bonus value, but waiting is better
Aaron Hurd
Executive Editor of Cards and Points
Generally, I’m a fan of waiting to apply until Southwest launches increased bonuses on its cards, which it does a few times a year.
However, I’m experimenting with a new way of evaluating bonuses which includes comparing the value you get, net of the annual fee, relative to the amount of spending required.
That analysis has the lower-end Rewards Plus and Rewards Premier cards performing VERY well, due to their relatively low spending requirements and their relatively high annual fees.
If you’re in the market for a Southwest card and are more concerned about the card’s ongoing benefits, comparing Southwest credit cards and then picking the best card for you directly might be the better choice.
Finally, keep in mind that eligibility for personal and business cards are counted separately, but the current business bonuses on the Southwest cards aren’t terribly compelling.
Are you eligible to earn a Southwest Rapid Rewards bonus?
If you currently hold or have received a new cardmember bonus of any Southwest Rapid Rewards personal credit card within the previous 24 months, Chase’s terms state that you not only won’t be eligible for the bonus, but you won’t be eligible to get the card.
Here’s the exact wording, which is common across the offer terms on all of the personal cards:
The product is not available to either (i) current Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card, or (ii) previous Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card who received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Cardmembers of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Card and Employee Credit Card products.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offer terms
On the small business side of the house, you won’t receive the bonus if you either hold or have received a new cardmember bonus within 24 months on the exact same product. My interpretation of this is that you can receive a bonus on both small business variants of the Southwest credit card, without waiting 24 months.
Here’s the exact wording from the terms and conditions on the business cards:
This new Cardmember bonus offer is not available to either (i) current Cardmembers of this business credit card, or (ii) previous Cardmembers of this business credit card who received a new Cardmember bonus for this business credit card within the last 24 months.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card offer terms
Holding or receiving a welcome bonus on the business cards does not impact your ability to receive a bonus on the personal cards, and vice-versa.
More on the Southwest cards
If you’re looking to dig in and figure out which is the best Southwest card for you, see our complete guide to the Southwest Airlines credit cards.
