Southwest Priority, in two minutes.

Offers move fast, so confirm the current offer on Chase’s Southwest page before you apply.

1. The welcome offer

60,000 Rapid Rewards points after $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.

60,000 x 1.3c = $780 in Southwest flights for $2,000 of spend

2. What the points are worth

We count Rapid Rewards at 1.3 cents each. Southwest prices awards off the cash fare, so the value is steady but rarely spectacular. The big upside is the Companion Pass.

3. What you get every year

1. 7,500 bonus points each time you renew.
2. 4X on Southwest, 2X on gas and dining, 5X on Lyft through December 2027 if you set it as your default card in the app, 1X on everything else.
3. First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions, preferred seat selection when available, and no foreign transaction fees.

7,500 x 1.3c = $97.50 back on the $229 fee each year

4. The Companion Pass math

1. The pass takes 135,000 qualifying points in 2026, and the signup bonus counts.
2. Open a Southwest card by Dec 2, 2026 and its bonus counts toward 2026 even if you finish the spend in early 2027. A pass earned in 2026 is good through Dec 31, 2027.
3. Cardholders get a 10,000 point boost, so the bonus plus the spend plus the boost is 72,000. You still need 63,000 more qualifying points in 2026.
4. From 2027, the Companion Pass becomes an elite status perk and signup bonuses stop counting. This is the last year a card bonus helps.

5. Who it’s for

You fly Southwest with someone who could ride free on the pass, and you can get to 135,000 qualifying points this year. If you just want Southwest points without the pass, the Plus card has a $99 fee; check its current offer before you pick.

6. The catch

1. The annual fee is $229.
2. Chase’s 5/24 rule applies. Five or more new cards in 24 months and you’ll likely be declined.
3. 63,000 more qualifying points by Dec 31 is a lot of spend for most people. Without the pass, 60,000 points is an ordinary bonus.

Lily’s verdict

If you can realistically reach 135,000 qualifying points this year, Priority before Dec 2 is the move. If not, the pass is out of reach, so pick a Southwest card on its own bonus and fee. Watch Lily’s breakdown.

No referral link on this page; we earn nothing from it. Not financial advice. Offers change, so check Chase’s terms before you apply.