Southwest Airlines offers three consumer co-branded credit cards through Chase: the Plus, Premier, and Priority cards. All three integrate with the Rapid Rewards loyalty program and provide pathways to the Companion Pass, but they differ in earning rates, annual fees, seating benefits, and elite status mechanics.
This comparison examines the structural differences across all three cards.
How do the annual fee structures compare?
Each card occupies a different price tier.
| Card | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Plus | $99 |
| Premier | $149 |
| Priority | $229 |
The fee structure reflects the scope of benefits. Higher-tier cards provide more anniversary points, better earning rates, and enhanced seating options.
How do the point earning rates and valuations differ?
Each card uses a different multiplier system for Southwest purchases and everyday spending.
Southwest Airlines Earning
| Card | Southwest Earning Rate |
|---|---|
| Plus | 2 points per $1 |
| Premier | 3 points per $1 |
| Priority | 4 points per $1 |
The Priority card provides the highest return on Southwest purchases—double the rate of the Plus card.
Everyday Spending Categories
| Card | Bonus Categories | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Plus | Gas stations, grocery stores (2x) | $5,000 per anniversary year |
| Premier | Grocery stores, restaurants (2x) | $8,000 per anniversary year |
| Priority | Gas stations, restaurants (2x) | No cap |
The Plus and Premier cards have spending caps on their bonus categories. The Priority card’s 2x earning at gas stations and restaurants is unlimited.
Base Earning
All three cards earn 1 point per $1 on purchases outside bonus categories.
What are the anniversary and Companion Pass benefits?
Each card provides different annual point bonuses and promotional codes.
| Card | Anniversary Points | Promotional Code |
|---|---|---|
| Plus | 3,000 | 10% off a Southwest flight |
| Premier | 6,000 | 15% off a Southwest flight |
| Priority | 7,500 | None listed |
The Premier and Priority cards provide more anniversary points. The promotional codes exclude Basic fares.
How Companion Pass Progress Differs
All three cards provide the same 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year. Points earned from spending on any of the three cards count toward the 135,000-point threshold.
Effective Threshold
With the 10,000-point boost, cardholders need 125,000 points from other sources (spending, sign-up bonuses, partner earning) to reach the Companion Pass.
Sign-Up Bonus Contribution
Sign-up bonuses from all three cards count toward Companion Pass qualifying points.
How A-List Status Earning Differs
The cards differ in whether they earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status.
| Card | TQP Earning |
|---|---|
| Plus | Not available |
| Premier | 1,500 TQPs per $5,000 spent |
| Priority | 2,500 TQPs per $5,000 spent |
The Plus card does not earn TQPs. The Premier and Priority cards provide a pathway to A-List status through spending. A-List requires 45,000 TQPs in a calendar year.
Spending Required for A-List
| Card | Annual Spending for A-List |
|---|---|
| Premier | $150,000 |
| Priority | $90,000 |
The Priority card provides a faster path to status, though the spending requirement remains substantial.
How Checked Bag Benefits Differ
All three cards provide the same checked bag benefit.
- First checked bag free for the cardmember and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation
This benefit is identical across all tiers.
How do the seating and boarding benefits vary?
Seating options vary significantly between the cards.
| Card | Seat Selection | Extra Legroom |
|---|---|---|
| Plus | Standard (within 48 hours of departure) | Not included |
| Premier | Standard or Preferred (within 48 hours) | Not included |
| Priority | Preferred (at booking) | Complimentary upgrade within 48 hours |
The Priority card provides the most comprehensive seating access. Only the Priority card includes complimentary Extra Legroom seat upgrades.
How Boarding Benefits Differ
All three cards provide Group 5 boarding for the cardmember and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. There is no differentiation between the cards for boarding position.
How In-Flight Credits Differ
All three cards provide the same in-flight purchase benefit.
- 25% back as a statement credit on Southwest in-flight drink and Wi-Fi purchases
This benefit is identical across all tiers.
How Value Calculation Differs
The value of each card depends on travel patterns and spending habits.
Checked Bag Value
Southwest’s standard checked bag fee is $35 for the first bag. A round-trip flight for the cardmember alone represents $70 in potential savings. The checked bag benefit is identical across all three cards.
Anniversary Points Value
Rapid Rewards points are typically valued at approximately 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for Southwest flights.
| Card | Anniversary Points | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|
| Plus | 3,000 | $39–$45 |
| Premier | 6,000 | $78–$90 |
| Priority | 7,500 | $97–$112 |
Net Fee Offset
Subtracting approximate anniversary point value from annual fees:
| Card | Annual Fee | Point Value | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | $99 | ~$42 | ~$57 |
| Premier | $149 | ~$84 | ~$65 |
| Priority | $229 | ~$105 | ~$124 |
The Priority card has the highest net cost after accounting for anniversary points. Its value proposition relies more heavily on seating benefits and status acceleration.
Who Each Card Is Designed For
Each card addresses a different travel and spending profile.
The Plus card is structured for occasional Southwest travelers who want access to the Rapid Rewards ecosystem, checked bag savings, and Companion Pass progress at the lowest annual fee.
The Premier card is structured for regular Southwest travelers who want higher earning on Southwest purchases, a pathway to A-List status through spending, and the value of Preferred seat selection.
The Priority card is structured for frequent Southwest travelers who prioritize Extra Legroom seating, faster A-List progress, and maximum earning rates without spending caps on bonus categories.
What are the primary tradeoffs and selection criteria?
Plus vs Premier
The Premier costs $50 more annually but provides:
- 3x vs 2x on Southwest purchases
- 6,000 vs 3,000 anniversary points
- Access to Preferred seats
- A-List TQP earning
Premier vs Priority
The Priority costs $80 more annually but provides:
- 4x vs 3x on Southwest purchases
- 7,500 vs 6,000 anniversary points
- Extra Legroom seat upgrades
- Faster A-List TQP earning (2,500 vs 1,500 per $5,000)
- No cap on gas and restaurant bonus earning
The incremental value between tiers depends on how frequently the cardholder flies Southwest and whether the enhanced seating and status benefits align with their travel priorities.
