Unlocking Rewards: A Guide to Southwest Credit Card Eligibility

Southwest Airlines provides a variety of credit cards tailored to both personal and business needs. With three personal options and two business cards available, travelers can maximize their rewards and benefits through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.

New cardholders applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, Premier, or Priority Credit Cards can earn a generous 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. This bonus can be valued at approximately $1,350, according to The Points Guy’s latest evaluations.

It’s essential to understand the eligibility criteria for these cards, as there are distinct rules for personal and business applications. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you need to know.

Personal Credit Cards

Southwest offers three personal credit cards:

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Each of these cards comes with a limited-time welcome offer, allowing new cardholders to earn 100,000 bonus points after meeting the spending requirement.

Business Credit Cards

For business owners, Southwest provides two credit card options:

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The welcome bonuses for these cards differ: the Performance Business card offers 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months, while the Premier Business card provides 60,000 points after a $3,000 spend within the same timeframe. Based on current valuations, these bonuses are worth approximately $1,080 and $810, respectively.

Simplified Application Process

Chase, the issuer of these credit cards, makes the application process straightforward. For personal cards, all applications are treated equally, while business cards have two specific rules to follow. Importantly, holding a Southwest business credit card does not affect your eligibility for personal cards.

Key Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Southwest credit card, you must adhere to the following:

– Maintain a status of under 5/24, which means you should have applied for fewer than five credit cards in the past 24 months.
– Understand that applying for personal cards will count against your 5/24 limit but won’t impact your eligibility for business cards.

This means if you have a slot available, it’s often beneficial to apply for both business cards simultaneously. Doing so won’t increase your 5/24 count, allowing you to remain eligible for a personal Southwest card in the future.

Strategic Application Timing

Given Chase’s restrictions on personal Southwest cards, timing your application is crucial. It’s wise to wait for the highest welcome bonus or when a Companion Pass promotion is available before applying. The Companion Pass allows you to bring a companion for free on your flights, making it a highly sought-after benefit for frequent travelers.

Understanding Card Restrictions

While the “family restriction” on personal Southwest cards can complicate Companion Pass plans, this restriction does not apply to the business cards. Therefore, you can strategically apply for both business cards without concern.

For more detailed insights, consider exploring our reviews of each Southwest credit card, including the Plus, Premier, Priority, Premier Business, and Performance Business cards.

Conclusion

Credit cards can significantly enhance your travel experiences by providing rewards that make flights and travel more accessible. The Points Guy emphasizes that understanding the intricacies of credit card applications can help you leverage everyday spending into valuable travel rewards.

When applying for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, which could influence how these products are presented. However, our editorial team independently creates and maintains all analysis and content, ensuring that our reviews are unbiased and informative.

For those looking to embark on their travel adventures with Southwest Airlines, choosing the right credit card can be a game-changer. Happy travels!