Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card assessment: Full particulars

Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card overview

The Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card is the center of the pack for Southwest private bank cards. Whereas airline bank cards typically do not have many perks, the absence of overseas transaction charges and the 6,000-anniversary bonus factors ought to assist offset this card’s cheap $99 annual price. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card ranking is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

Savvy TPG readers know we typically do not advocate constructing your factors technique round a single cobranded airline bank card, as these have a tendency to supply fewer perks and fewer flexibility than a comparably-priced transferable factors card.

With regards to the Southwest Fast Rewards card portfolio, you may typically discover higher incomes charges and extra versatile redemption choices with playing cards that earn Chase Final Rewards factors — such because the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card — which you’ll then switch to Southwest Fast Rewards at a 1:1 charge. That mentioned, Southwest bank cards are highly regarded amongst Southwest followers.

With a beneficial credit score rating of 670 or increased, the mid-tier model of the three private Southwest playing cards — the Southwest Premier card — has a very good steadiness of perks and an annual price of $99 that might make it worthy of a spot in your card assortment.

This is every little thing it is advisable know in regards to the Southwest Premier card that will help you resolve whether or not it needs to be in your pockets.

The data for the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier bank card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card execs and cons

Associated: How to decide on your finest bank card technique

Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card welcome provide

New Southwest Premier cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus factors and a $400 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. This provide ends Dec. 16.

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Based on TPG’s December 2024 valuations, the welcome provide is value as much as $960 when together with the assertion credit score — a wonderful worth for the spending requirement.

The welcome provide might sound extra interesting in case you place a excessive worth on Southwest’s Companion Passes. The bonus factors will get you a lot nearer to acquiring a Companion Move, which prices 135,000 factors.

To take advantage of the Companion Move for 2025 and 2026, apply for the cardboard in early December. Then, after your December assertion date, meet the minimal spending standards to gather your bonus factors for January. This could allow you to earn a Companion Move for 2025 and 2026 (fairly than the rest of 2024 and 2025 in case your bonus factors arrive in December).

Keep in mind that you’ll be able to’t earn a welcome bonus on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card in case you presently have a private Southwest card or have earned a welcome bonus on a private Southwest card up to now 24 months.

Additionally, Southwest’s cobranded playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. In case you’ve opened 5 or extra new accounts over the previous 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), you’ll possible be denied for this card.

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Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card advantages

Whereas we sometimes do not count on an airline bank card with a $99 annual price to return loaded with perks, the Southwest Premier card has a number of advantages.

You will obtain 6,000 bonus factors on every account anniversary, that are value $84 in accordance with TPG’s December 2024 valuations. That is a big chunk of this card’s annual price.

Additionally, you may get pleasure from further advantages like two EarlyBird check-ins per 12 months with the Southwest Premier Card — serving to you get on the aircraft early to snag a greater seat — and 25% again on inflight purchases. Two complimentary EarlyBird check-ins are a pleasant perk since Southwest just lately raised the price of this product.

Cardholders may also earn Southwest A-Record elite standing extra rapidly. You will earn 1,500 bonus Tier Qualifying Factors for each $5,000 you spend in a calendar 12 months. There is no restrict on the variety of TQPs you’ll be able to earn.

Moreover, cardholders additionally earn a ten,000 Companion Move qualifying factors increase every year.

Associated: Southwest Fast Rewards is now providing Money + Factors redemption

Incomes factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card

Most airline bank cards award bonus factors or miles for purchases straight with the provider, and that is definitely true right here: You will earn 3 factors per greenback spent with Southwest on the Premier card.

Nevertheless, it additionally has different attractive bonus classes: You will earn 2 factors per greenback spent on Fast Rewards resort and automotive rental accomplice purchases, native transit and commuting purchases, web, cable and cellphone providers and with choose streaming suppliers.

You will earn 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases.

Based on our December 2024 valuations, this quantities to a 4.2% return on spending with Southwest and a 2.8% return on spending in different bonus classes.

Associated: 6 simple methods I exploit to earn over 500,000 factors and miles a 12 months

Redeeming factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card

When it is time to use your rewards, among the best issues about redeeming Southwest Fast Rewards factors is the simplicity of the method. Whether or not you choose the most affordable Wanna Get Away fares or the costliest Enterprise Choose tickets, the price of your award ticket is tied to the money worth of the flight.

This implies you do not have to fret about getting the very best potential cent-per-point redemption worth.

If in case you have Fast Rewards factors, you may as well redeem them for reward playing cards or merchandise. Nonetheless, one of the best worth comes from utilizing your factors for Southwest flights — together with choices to Hawaii and worldwide locations.

TPG managing editor for bank cards Matt Moffitt lives in Austin, Texas, the place the airline operates nearly 40% of flights. Due to this, he likes to have a stash of Fast Rewards factors to fly to locations like Chicago, Los Angeles and Cancun.

Southwest additionally usually runs flash gross sales, which you’ll make the most of to get an ideal deal reserving with factors. Moreover, Southwest’s coverage of no change or cancellation charges means you’ll be able to reprice your award ticket if the value drops. This provides useful flexibility to get the very best redemption.

Associated: Find out how to change or cancel a Southwest Airways flight

Which playing cards compete with the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card?

The Southwest Premier card has two apparent opponents: Chase’s different Southwest bank cards. Nevertheless, it is value contemplating a basic journey bank card with an analogous annual price to see whether or not that choice is healthier on your pockets. Let’s examine how they stack up:

For extra choices, try our full checklist of one of the best journey bank cards.

Associated: Evaluating the Southwest Fast Rewards Precedence, Premier, and Plus Credit score Playing cards

Is the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card value it?

The 6,000-anniversary bonus factors largely offset the Southwest Premier card’s $99 annual price. You will absolutely justify the annual price in case you worth its different perks at greater than $15. Nonetheless, most Southwest loyalists will get extra worth from the Southwest Precedence bank card as a substitute, because it provides extra advantages.

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Backside line

The Southwest Fast Rewards Premier card is usually a good choice for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. In case you fly with Southwest often, this card’s worth level and perks may make it a very good match on your pockets with out the upper price ticket on different journey bank cards. Nevertheless, most Southwest followers will possible favor the advantages of the higher-tier Southwest Precedence card as a substitute.

Associated: Are airline bank cards value it anymore?