Over the previous 12 months, Southwest Airways has made main modifications to its enterprise mannequin, from ending open seating to including checked bag charges and revamping points of its Fast Rewards loyalty program.
Up subsequent? A major refresh of its bank cards lineup.
The Dallas-based provider introduced on Thursday it is including new perks to every of its Chase cobranded playing cards, efficient instantly. The newly-revealed advantages embrace methods to earn bonus factors on restaurant, grocery and fuel purchases.
And, as TPG first reported in April, sure Southwest cardholders will get complimentary entry to its brand-new further legroom seats.
However the modifications will come at a hefty price ticket for brand spanking new and present cardholders. Annual charges on every Southwest card are set to rise sharply, with common payment hikes hovering round 50%.
That mentioned, there is a main deal sweetener for vacationers who add a Southwest card to their wallets: Between now and Sept. 17, new candidates for any of its private playing cards can earn 100,000 Fast Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 5 months.
“We consider that our present cardmembers in addition to the brand new cardmembers will see the true and measurable worth that the advantages convey, in addition to elevated flexibility and elevated selection,” Corbitt Burns, Southwest managing director of cobrand and funds, informed TPG in an interview this week.
Here is what to know in regards to the overhaul to the airline’s card lineup, together with new advantages, disappearing perks and those which might be sticking round.
Greater annual charges
Let’s get the dangerous information out of the way in which first. Every of Southwest’s 5 bank cards will see an annual payment hike as a part of this card suite refresh:
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Present Southwest Fast Rewards Cardmembers’ annual charges will regulate on their 2026 Anniversary date.
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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.
The payment hikes come as a slew of bank card issuers have raised annual dues on playing cards over the previous 12 months (or plan to quickly), notably on the extra premium finish of the spectrum. Within the case of Southwest’s portfolio, Chase attributed the hikes to new advantages and the passage of time.
“That is the primary time, in some instances, that we’re growing the payment in a decade,” Chris Cracchiolo, president of cobranded playing cards at JP Morgan Chase, informed TPG. “We consider strongly that we’re pricing for worth, and we predict the incremental advantages on the cardboard merchandise justify the modest payment will increase.”
Associated: Greatest time to use for Southwest Chase playing cards based mostly on supply historical past
New advantages
Southwest’s card lineup will see a variety of latest advantages which, generally, have been redesigned for an airline that — by January — will look lots totally different than it did a 12 months in the past.
Free checked bag
Like they do in the present day, Southwest cardholders will get their first checked bag free on every of the airline’s playing cards. This profit will apply to the first cardholder and as much as eight vacationers flying on the identical reservation.
For context, Southwest now prices prospects $35 for his or her first checked bag, after implementing charges in late Could.
Associated: These 26 bank cards can get you free checked luggage in your subsequent flight
Seating advantages
All cardholders can be allowed to pick a seat in some capability, even when they’re flying on a primary fare (which lately changed Southwest’s well-known “Wanna Get Away” tickets). However the seating advantages enhance as you have a look at playing cards with greater annual charges.
Plus, as TPG first reported this spring, Southwest Fast Rewards Precedence and Efficiency Enterprise cardholders can be allowed to pick the airline’s further legroom seats inside 48 hours of departure for gratis (if seats can be found).
Like with luggage, the seating advantages for every card will apply for the first cardholder and as much as eight companions flying on the identical reservation.
New bonus spend classes
Southwest additionally made massive modifications to the variety of factors prospects can earn on on a regular basis purchases.
Bonus spend classes for native transportation, commuting and ride-hailing providers will disappear for many playing cards in 2026. So will bonus factors for purchases like web, cable and telephone providers on most playing cards. As a substitute, efficient instantly, you may see the airline reward prospects extra for eating, grocery and fuel purchases.
Cracchiolo mentioned this shift provides cardholders “rather more utility” to earn factors for his or her subsequent redemption. “We’re fairly assured they will resonate with each new prospects and present prospects,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, we must always be aware: some playing cards have limits on what number of bonus factors prospects can earn in these new classes. Actual particulars beneath.
Associated: Your final information to Southwest bank card eligibility
Boarding perks
As Southwest revamps its boarding procedures with a course of that appears much more like its rivals (farewell to lining up on the gate!) the airline plans to supply earlier boarding to Fast Rewards members who carry its playing cards.
These vacationers will board no later than Group 5, forward of normal boarding. Southwest’s new boarding course of will embrace a complete of eight teams.
Quicker observe to A-Listing
Additionally, Southwest will give some cardholders a quicker observe to A-Listing elite standing than they’ve in the present day, with extra Tier Qualifying Factors earned on card spending.
What is going on away?
Together with phasing out some present bonus spend classes, Southwest’s card lineup will lose a few of the advantages that had been particular to its outgoing open seating mannequin and single-file boarding course of, such because the EarlyBird and Upgraded Boarding perks presently supplied with some playing cards.
Present cardholders can have by the tip of the 12 months to make use of these advantages earlier than they disappear.
Southwest Airways bank card advantages
There are a handful of extra perks that Southwest and Chase are including — or chopping — as a part of this total refresh.
Here is the breakdown of Southwest’s new bank card advantages and costs.
Shopper playing cards
| Plus Card | Premier Card | Precedence Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual payment | $99 (up from $69) | $149 (up from $99) | $229 (up from $149) |
| Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first 5 months
Obtainable by Sept. 17, 2025 |
√ | √ | √ |
| 1st checked bag free
(For major cardholder and as much as 8 companions on the identical reservation) |
√ | √ | √ |
| Normal/Most well-liked seating profit
(For flights working in 2026) |
Normal seat choice inside 48 hours, even on primary fares | Normal or Most well-liked seat choice inside 48 hours, even on primary fares | Normal or Most well-liked seat choice obtainable at reserving, when obtainable. |
| Further Legroom seating profit
(For flights working in 2026) |
N/A | N/A | Inside 48 hours, pending availability |
| Group 5 boarding or higher
(For flights working in 2026) |
√ | √ | √ |
| Anniversary perks | 3,000 factors after every card anniversary
One promotional 10% flight low cost every anniversary 12 months (excludes primary financial system). |
6,000 factors after every card anniversary
One promotional 15% flight low cost every anniversary 12 months (excludes primary financial system) |
7,500 factors after every card anniversary |
| Fast Rewards earnings | 2 factors per $1 spent on eligible Southwest purchases
NEW: 2 factors per $1 on the primary mixed $5,000 spent at fuel stations and grocery shops in the course of the card anniversary 12 months. 1 level per $1 on all different eligible purchases ENDING 12/31/25: 2 factors per $1 spent on:
|
3 factors per $1 spent on eligible Southwest purchases
NEW: 2 factors per $1 spent on the primary mixed $8,000 spent on groceries and eating places 1 level per $1 spent on different eligible purchases ENDING 12/31/25: 2 factors per $1 spent on:
|
NEW: 4 factors per $1 spent on eligible Southwest purchases (up from 3x)
NEW: 2 factors per greenback at fuel stations and eating places, with no annual cap 1 level per $1 spent on different eligible purchases ENDING 12/31/25: 2 factors per $1 spent on:
|
| 10,000 Companion Cross Qualifying Factors enhance every year | √ | √ | √ |
| 25% again on inflight purchases | √ | √ | √ |
| Perks ending after 2025 | 2 EarlyBird check-ins per 12 months | 2 EarlyBird check-ins per 12 months | 4 Upgraded Boardings per 12 months
$75 annual journey credit score on Southwest |
| Increase for A-Listing standing | N/A | For each $5,000 spent, earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Factors (TQP) | For each $5,000 spent, earn 2,500 TQP (up from 1,500) |
| No international transaction charges | √ (NEW) | √ | √ |
Enterprise playing cards
| Premier Enterprise Card | Efficiency Enterprise Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual payment | $149 (up from $99) | $299 (up from $199) |
| First checked bag free
(For major cardholder and as much as 8 companions on the identical reservation) |
√ | √ |
| Normal/Most well-liked seating profit
(For flights working in 2026) |
Normal or Most well-liked seat choice inside 48 hours, even on primary fares | Normal or Most well-liked seat choice obtainable at reserving, when obtainable. |
| Further Legroom seating profit
(For flights working in 2026) |
N/A | Inside 48 hours, pending availability |
| Group 5 boarding or higher
(For flights working in 2026) |
√ | √ |
| Anniversary perks | 6,000 factors after every card anniversary | 9,000 factors after every card anniversary |
| Fast Rewards earnings | 3 factors per $1 on Southwest purchases
NEW: 2 factors per $1 on the primary $8,000 in mixed purchases every anniversary 12 months at fuel stations and eating places 1 level per $1 on all different eligible purchases ENDING 12/31/25: 2 factors per $1 spent on:
|
4 factors per $1 on Southwest purchases
NEW: 2 factors per $1 at fuel stations and eating places (no annual cap) NEW: 2 factors per $1 on resorts booked straight 2 factors per $1 on native transit, rideshare and commuting 1 level per $1 on all different eligible purchases ENDING 12/31/25: 3 factors per $1 spent on:
2 factors per $1 spent on:
|
| International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus payment credit score
(As much as $120 assertion credit score each 4 years) |
N/A | √ |
| Inflight advantages | 25% again on inflight purchases | NEW: 25% again on inflight purchases |
| Perks ending after 2025 | 2 Early Fowl test ins per 12 months
$500 payment credit score for level transfers per 12 months
|
4 Upgraded Boardings per 12 months
$500 payment credit score for level transfers per 12 months As much as 365 inflight web credit per 12 months |
| Increase for A-Listing standing | For each $5,000 spent, earn 2,000 TQPs (up from 1,500) | For each $5,000 spent, earn 2,500 TQP (up from 1,500) |
| No international transaction charges | √ | √ |
Backside line
Southwest’s bank card revamp will imply greater annual charges and the tip of some perks that had been particular to its longstanding open seating setup.
Now, a new-look airline has ushered in a new-look card lineup, with first-time rewards like further legroom seat entry.
Going ahead, Fast Rewards flyers who carry Southwest’s playing cards will have the ability to sidestep a few of the airline’s latest hurdles, just like the bag charges and seat choice limitations now going through passengers who buy the provider’s least expensive (Primary) fare.
That is by design: Southwest leaders have mentioned, for months, that as a part of the wholesale modifications on the airline, they hoped to reward A-Listing members and cardholders — and to entice different prospects to hold a card and earn standing.
How prospects take to the brand new card tradeoffs stay to be seen, however Southwest is assured in regards to the worth proposition it is providing.
“We consider a variety of these [rewards] are unmatched within the {industry}, and industry-leading,” Burns mentioned.
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