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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 don’t have many perks, the absence of international transaction charges and 6,000-anniversary bonus factors ought to assist offset this card’s affordable $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 don’t 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.
On the subject of the Southwest Fast Rewards card portfolio, you’ll 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 well-liked Card — which you’ll be able to then switch to Southwest Fast Rewards at a 1:1 price.
That mentioned, Southwest bank cards are highly regarded amongst Southwest followers. With a really helpful credit score rating of 670, the mid-tier model of the three private Southwest playing cards — the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card — has a great stability of perks and an annual price that might make it worthy of a spot in your card assortment.
Right here’s all the things you have to know concerning the Southwest Premier Card that will help you resolve if it ought to earn a spot in your pockets.
Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card professionals and cons
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Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card welcome supply
New candidates for the Southwest Premier card can earn a Companion Move (good by Feb. 28, 2025) plus 30,000 bonus factors once they spend $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
The Southwest Companion Move is an ultra-valuable perk that lets you add a companion to your Southwest reservation at no cost (plus relevant taxes and costs) on a limiteless variety of Southwest Airways flights for so long as you’ve the go. Often, you have to earn 135,000 tier-qualifying factors (by flying Southwest or spending on cobranded bank cards) or full 100 qualifying flights inside a calendar yr to snag this coveted Companion Move.
However with this supply, you may get a precious Companion Move simply by assembly the minimal spending requirement to earn this bonus. Plus, you’ll additionally get 30,000 bonus factors, which TPG values at $420. This matches the greatest supply we’ve seen on this card, so now is a superb time to snag it in the event you’ve been enthusiastic about it.
Do not forget that you possibly can’t earn a sign-up bonus on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card in the event you at the moment have any private Southwest card or have earned a sign-up bonus on a private Southwest card prior to now 24 months.
Additionally, Southwest’s cobranded playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. For those who’ve opened 5 or extra new accounts over the previous 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), you’ll doubtless be denied for this card.
Associated: The last word information to bank card utility restrictions
Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card advantages
When you don’t count on an airline bank card with a $99 annual price to return loaded with perks, the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card has fairly a couple of advantages.
You’ll obtain 6,000 bonus factors on every account anniversary, which TPG values at $84 — which means that the anniversary bonus almost offsets the cardboard’s $99 annual price.
Additionally, you’ll get pleasure from further advantages like two EarlyBird check-ins per yr with the Southwest Premier Card — serving to you get on the airplane early to snag a greater seat — and 25% again on inflight purchases.
You may additionally be eager about incomes Southwest A-Listing elite standing to additional improve your travels with the provider. You’ll be able to earn bonus TQPs by spending on the Premier card: 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent per calendar yr.
Associated: Battle of the airways: Why I believe Southwest Airways is the very best
Incomes factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card
Most airline bank cards award bonus factors or miles for purchases instantly with the provider, and that’s actually true right here: You’ll earn 3 factors per greenback spent with Southwest on the Premier Card.
Nonetheless, it additionally has different engaging bonus classes: You’ll earn 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting purchases, web, cable and telephone providers and with choose streaming suppliers. You’ll earn 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases.
This quantities to a 4.2% return on spending with Southwest and a 1.4% return on on a regular basis spending, in line with our valuations.
Redeeming factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card
When it’s time to make use of your rewards, the most effective 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 value of the flight.
This implies you don’t have to fret about getting the very best doable cent-per-point redemption worth. You probably have Fast Rewards factors, you possibly can redeem them for reward playing cards or merchandise. Nonetheless, the very best worth comes from utilizing your factors for Southwest flights — together with choices to Hawaii and worldwide locations.
Southwest repeatedly runs flash gross sales, which you’ll be able to benefit from to get an amazing deal reserving with factors. For instance, TPG bank cards author Emily Thompson not too long ago booked a round-trip flight between Nashville (BNA) and San Jose, California (SJC) for below 25,000 factors throughout one in every of these gross sales.
And keep in mind that Southwest’s coverage of no change or cancellation charges means you possibly can reprice your award ticket if the value drops. This provides precious flexibility to get the very best redemption.
Learn extra: The best way 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 rivals: Chase’s different Southwest bank cards. Nonetheless, it’s value contemplating a common journey bank card with the same annual price to see whether or not that is higher on your pockets. Let’s see how they stack up:
- In order for you a Southwest card with extra perks: The Southwest Fast Rewards Precedence Credit score Card has an annual price of $149 however provides a $75 annual Southwest credit score and seven,500-point anniversary bonus. It earns the identical price on Southwest flights: 3 factors per greenback. For extra data, learn our full overview of the Southwest Precedence card.
- In order for you a Southwest card with a decrease annual price: The Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card has a $69 annual price and an anniversary bonus of three,000 factors. You’ll additionally obtain two EarlyBird check-ins each card anniversary. For extra data, learn our full overview of the Southwest Plus card.
- In order for you factors you should use each with Southwest and different airways: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card earns Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to switch 1:1 to Southwest — in addition to a variety of airways — for making flight redemptions. You’ll get quite a few journey protections, a $50 annual lodge credit score and sturdy incomes classes, and the cardboard has a $95 annual price. For extra data, learn our full overview of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
For extra choices, take a look at our full listing of 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 Southwest Premier card with a $99 annual price is generally offset by the 6,000-anniversary bonus factors, which have a worth of $84, in line with TPG’s valuations. It covers the annual price in the event you worth its different perks at greater than $15. Nonetheless, most Southwest loyalists ought to apply for the Precedence card as an alternative, because it provides extra advantages.
Backside line
The Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card is usually a good possibility for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. For those who fly with Southwest often, this card’s value level and perks might make it a great match on your pockets with out the upper price ticket on different journey bank cards.
Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card
