How does the Southwest Priority $75 travel credit work?

Each account anniversary year, you receive a $75 statement credit that can be applied toward Southwest Airlines purchases. The credit applies to tickets, EarlyBird check-in, and other Southwest charges processed through Chase. Unlike some travel credits that require specific booking channels, the Southwest credit is broadly applicable to Southwest purchases. It typically posts as a statement credit within one to two billing cycles after a qualifying purchase.

How does the 7,500 anniversary bonus points work?

Each card anniversary year, 7,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points are deposited to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. Rapid Rewards points are typically valued at approximately 1.5 cents each, making 7,500 points worth roughly $112 in Southwest flight value. These points count toward A-List status qualification and Companion Pass qualifying points.

What are the 4 upgraded boardings per year?

Each anniversary year, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority cardholders can receive up to 4 upgraded boardings per year at the airport. An upgraded boarding on Southwest moves you into the A1–A15 boarding group, providing first access to cabin seating on Southwest's open seating model. The upgrade must be purchased at the airport or online, and the charge is then reimbursed as a statement credit. Upgrades are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Benefits Guide

Q: Do Southwest card points count toward the Companion Pass?

Yes. Points earned from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card — including both purchase points and the 7,500 anniversary bonus — count toward Companion Pass qualifying points. The Companion Pass requires 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year and allows one companion to fly free (paying only taxes and fees) on all your Southwest flights for the remainder of the year plus the following full year. Card bonuses and anniversary points are among the most efficient ways to accumulate qualifying points toward the Companion Pass.

Chase · Southwest Airlines · Annual fee $229

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card

Last updated: June 19, 2026. Verify current terms, Southwest travel credit rules, anniversary point timing, and Companion Pass qualifying point policies with Chase and Southwest before applying.

Core earning rates

4xSouthwest Rapid Rewards points on Southwest purchases, including flights, Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners, and in-flight purchases.
2xGas stations.
2xRestaurants worldwide.
1xAll other purchases.

Card snapshot

Rewards currencySouthwest Rapid Rewards points

Primary categories4x Southwest purchases; 2x gas stations + restaurants

Annual benefits$75 Southwest travel credit; 7,500 anniversary bonus points; 4 upgraded boardings

In-flight25% back on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases

What this card is built around

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card is the top-tier personal Southwest card and is best suited for frequent Southwest flyers who want to maximize Rapid Rewards earning and work toward the Southwest Companion Pass. The $229 annual fee is largely offset by the ongoing annual benefits: the $75 Southwest travel credit alone is worth $75, and the 7,500 anniversary bonus points — worth approximately $112 in Southwest flight value at typical Rapid Rewards valuations — bring the effective cost well below the sticker fee.

The Companion Pass is Southwest's most coveted benefit and requires 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Card anniversary points (7,500) and new-card signup bonuses (if applicable) count as qualifying points, making the Priority card a useful tool for those actively building toward the Companion Pass. The card also earns 4x on Southwest purchases, accelerating qualifying point accumulation from actual flight spend.

Annual recurring benefits

Benefit Value and details

$75 annual Southwest travel credit Statement credit applied to Southwest purchases charged to the card. Covers flights, EarlyBird check-in, and other Southwest charges. Resets each account anniversary year.

7,500 anniversary bonus points Deposited to your Rapid Rewards account each anniversary year. Worth approximately $112 in Southwest flight value. Count toward Companion Pass qualifying points.

4 upgraded boardings per year Purchase an upgraded boarding (A1–A15 boarding position) at the airport or online, and the charge is reimbursed as a statement credit. Subject to availability. Allows first access to cabin seating on Southwest's open seating model.

25% back on in-flight purchases Statement credit equal to 25% of in-flight drink and Wi-Fi purchases charged to the card. Applies to Southwest-operated in-flight purchases only.

Free checked bags — note on Southwest policy

Southwest's universal bag policy

Southwest Airlines allows all passengers to check their first two bags for free as a standard airline policy — regardless of what card you hold or how you purchased the ticket. This is not a credit card benefit exclusive to Southwest cardholders. All Southwest passengers on all tickets receive two free checked bags.

What this means for card value

Unlike United or American co-brand cards (where the free bag is a cardholder perk), Southwest's bag policy is universal. The Southwest Priority card's fee is not justifiable through bag savings alone — its value comes from the $75 travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points, and upgraded boardings. Evaluate the fee against those benefits specifically.

Companion Pass strategy

What is the Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass lets one designated companion fly free (paying only taxes and fees, typically $5.60 each way domestically) on any Southwest flight for the rest of the calendar year you earn it and the entire following calendar year. It applies to both paid and award flights. To earn it, you need 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.

How the Priority card contributes

Points earned from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card — including purchase points, the 7,500 anniversary bonus, and any new-card welcome offer — count as qualifying points toward the Companion Pass. The Priority card accelerates earning with 4x on Southwest spend and 2x on gas and restaurants. Pair with frequent Southwest flying for the fastest path to qualifying.

Timing the Companion Pass

The Companion Pass is most valuable when earned early in a calendar year (January or February), giving you the rest of that year plus the full following year. Many points enthusiasts time new card welcome bonuses to post in January to maximize the Companion Pass duration. Qualifying points reset to zero at the start of each calendar year.

Protections and coverage

Benefit What it may cover Key limits

Lost Luggage Reimbursement May reimburse when checked or carry-on luggage is lost or damaged by the carrier. Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip.

Baggage Delay Insurance May reimburse essential purchases when checked baggage is delayed more than 6 hours. Up to $100 per day for up to 3 days.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance May reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses when a covered trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason. Up to $10,000 per trip per covered person. Must charge trip to card.

Purchase Protection May cover eligible new purchases against theft or accidental damage. Up to $500 per claim, up to $50,000 per account. 120 days from purchase.

No Foreign Transaction Fees Purchases outside the United States do not incur Chase foreign transaction fees. Applies per card terms. Note: Southwest primarily flies domestic US and select international routes.

This card is a fit if…

You fly Southwest regularly and want to earn Rapid Rewards points at 4x on Southwest purchases to accelerate point and Companion Pass qualifying point accumulation.
The $75 travel credit + ~$112 in anniversary point value + upgraded boardings justify the $229 fee relative to the mid-tier Southwest cards ($99 and $149).
You're actively working toward the Southwest Companion Pass and want the 7,500 anniversary bonus and purchase multipliers to contribute to the 135,000 qualifying point threshold.
You want 25% back on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi — a minor but recurring benefit for frequent Southwest travelers.

FAQ

Southwest Priority card questions.

How does the $75 Southwest travel credit work?

Each anniversary year, the card provides $75 in statement credits toward Southwest purchases — including flights and EarlyBird check-in. The credit automatically applies when Southwest purchases are charged to the card. It resets on each account anniversary.

How do the 7,500 anniversary bonus points work?

7,500 Rapid Rewards points are deposited to your Southwest account each anniversary year. These points count toward Companion Pass qualifying points and are worth approximately $112 in Southwest flight value at typical Rapid Rewards point valuations (~1.5 cents per point).

Do Southwest card points count toward the Companion Pass?

Yes. Points earned from this card — including purchase points and the 7,500 anniversary bonus — count toward the 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points required in a calendar year. The Companion Pass lets one companion fly free on all your Southwest flights for the remainder of the earning year plus the full following year.

What are the 4 upgraded boardings?

Up to 4 times per year, you can purchase an upgraded boarding at the airport (A1–A15 position on Southwest's open seating model) and receive a statement credit reimbursing the cost. Subject to availability. It is not a free boarding upgrade applied automatically — you pay at the airport and get credited back.

Does Southwest charge for checked bags?

No — Southwest's first two checked bags are free for all passengers as a standard airline policy, not a card benefit. This applies to all Southwest tickets regardless of card or booking method.

Related guides

More hotel and airline card guides.

Sources

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card benefits guide.