The ultimate guide to Southwest credit card eligibility
Editor's Note
Southwest Airlines offers five credit cards tailored to Southwest loyalists (three personal and two business options), each with its own fees and perks.
If you've been eyeing a Southwest card, now is a great time to apply. Let's review some key details to help you make a final decision.
Current Southwest welcome offers
Below are the five cards currently offered by Southwest, plus their welcome offers and their annual fees.
Personal cards
All three personal cards currently include Southwest's coveted Companion Pass as part of the welcome offer. With this benefit, Southwest customers can bring a plus-one on unlimited Southwest flights for the price of taxes and fees through February 28, 2027.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) ($99 annual fee): Earn Companion Pass from Southwest, plus 20,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ($149 annual fee): Earn Companion Pass from Southwest, plus 30,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) ($229 annual fee): Earn Companion Pass from Southwest, plus 40,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's February 2026 valuations, the points in these offers are worth $260, $390 and $520, respectively — not including the additional value of the Companion Pass.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Business cards
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) ($149 annual fee): Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) ($299 annual fee): Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to our valuations, these welcome bonuses are worth $780 and $1,040, respectively.
Related: How to track your progress toward a credit card welcome bonus
Which Southwest credit cards am I eligible for?
Personal cards
You are eligible to apply for a personal Southwest card if you meet the following criteria:
- The Chase 5/24 rule: You'll almost certainly be rejected for a Southwest credit card (as they're issued by Chase) if you've opened five or more credit cards (from any issuer) within the past 24 months, excluding most business cards.
- Card "family" restrictions: If you already have a Southwest personal card, you can't open another until you've canceled it.
- Welcome bonus rules: You can't open the card if you've earned a welcome bonus from a Southwest personal card within the past 24 months.
Note: Holding a Southwest business credit card or employee card does not impact your eligibility for personal cards.
Business cards
You are eligible to apply for a business Southwest card if you are under 5/24 and meet the following rules:
- You do not currently have that particular credit card.
- You have not received a bonus on that particular credit card in the past 24 months.
Applying for personal Southwest credit cards has no impact on your eligibility for business cards, except for the fact that it takes up one of your 5/24 slots. Additionally, having either Southwest business credit card doesn't affect your eligibility for the other Southwest business card.
Related: Southwest Performance vs. Premier: Which Rapid Rewards business credit card is right for you?
Best order and timing for Southwest credit card applications
When planning your Southwest card applications, timing and sequence matter. Start by checking your 5/24 status, since personal card eligibility depends on the number of new cards you've opened in the past 24 months.
Many travelers start with a business card because these don't trigger the personal card "family" restriction, keeping personal card options open for later.
Business cards also tend to offer strong welcome bonuses and make it easier to split business and personal expenses.
Due to Chase's application restrictions on personal Southwest cards, it's a good idea to wait for the highest welcome bonus available or when a Companion Pass is offered before applying.
Related: How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
Bottom line
It's always essential to plan your credit card applications and carefully review card and issuer-specific rules. While Chase's "family restriction" on the personal Southwest cards throws a wrench into many people's Companion Pass plans, the same restriction doesn't apply to the two business cards.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Southwest Plus, Premier, Priority, Premier Business and Performance Business cards.
Apply here: Southwest Plus Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Priority Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Premier Business Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Learn more: Southwest Premier Credit Card