The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the airline’s premium consumer credit card, but what makes it stand out isn’t airport lounge access or luxury travel perks. Instead, it has benefits that frequent Southwest flyers are likely to actually use, from complimentary Preferred seat selection and annual bonus points to free checked bags and a stronger earning rate on Southwest purchases.
With a $229 annual fee, it isn’t the cheapest way to earn Rapid Rewards points. But if Southwest is one of your go-to airlines, the ongoing benefits can easily outweigh the cost. In fact, I’d argue it’s the strongest value among Southwest’s three personal credit cards, thanks to the combination of travel perks and high rewards earnings.
I’ve been a Southwest Rapid Rewards member since 2000 and have flown Southwest more than 100 times over the years, and I’ve always appreciated Southwest’s customer-friendly policies, reliable domestic route network and easy-to-understand airline loyalty program.
Here’s a closer look at how the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card performs in the real world and who should consider adding it to their wallet.
The Priority Card is Southwest’s flagship consumer credit card. It has the airline’s highest earning rates plus a collection of ongoing travel benefits, which make it an excellent fit for travelers who fly Southwest regularly.
