A first checked bag costs $45 each way on every Southwest fare but Choice Extra, the priciest. So the waiver saves $90 per traveler on a round trip, for you and up to eight companions on a reservation booked with your Rapid Rewards number. Every card also boards your party in Group 5, ahead of Group 8, where the cheapest Basic fares board. In 2026, each adds the same 10,000 qualifying points toward the Companion Pass, which lets a companion fly with you for taxes and fees. From 2027, each earns one qualifying point toward the pass per dollar you spend.
Higher fees buy more anniversary points, from 3,000 a year on the Plus to 9,000 on the Performance Business. They also buy better seats, from a Standard seat in the back chosen 48 hours before departure to free Extra Legroom upgrades when seats are open. Chase issues every card here and takes business-card applications from anyone with a business, a side gig included.
1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
For flyers who mainly want the free bag on a trip or two a year. One round trip for two travelers who each check a bag saves $180, $81 more than its $99 fee.
- Best for: Southwest flyers and families who check bags on a few trips a year
- What Sets It Apart: Lowest fee among Southwest’s personal cards; the same free first checked bag and Group 5 boarding as pricier Southwest cards
- Cost: $99 annual fee; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR; no foreign transaction fees
- Features: 50,000-point bonus after $1,000 in 3 months; 2X on Southwest purchases; 2X on the first $5,000 a year at gas stations and grocery stores; 3,000 anniversary points
- Pros: Saves up to $90 per traveler per round trip in bag fees; Standard seat pick within 48 hours; 25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi
- Cons: 1X on most spending; no free Preferred or Extra Legroom seats; Companion Pass boost ends after 2026; no lounge access
For more information, read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Review.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
For yearly Southwest flyers who want a seat near the front. It costs $50 more than the Plus and earns 3,000 more anniversary points a year.
- Best for: Southwest flyers who book at least one trip a year and want Preferred seats
- What Sets It Apart: 6,000 anniversary points, double the Plus’s 3,000; free Preferred seats within 48 hours of departure; a 15% fare discount code each year
- Cost: $149 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR
- Features: 55,000 bonus points after $1,500 in purchases in 3 months; 3 points per $1 on Southwest; 2 per $1 on the first $8,000 a year at grocery stores and restaurants; free first checked bag and Group 5 boarding for you and up to 8 companions
- Pros: $90 saved per traveler on a round trip with a $45 first-bag fee; Preferred seats the Plus doesn’t offer
- Cons: $50 more a year than the $99 Plus for the same bag and boarding perks; no seat choice until 48 hours before departure; no lounge access; no edge over the Plus toward elite status from 2027
For more information, read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Review.
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
For frequent Southwest flyers who would pay for Extra Legroom anyway. Its $80 higher fee buys a seat at booking and free Extra Legroom upgrades, plus 1,500 more anniversary points than the Premier.
- Best for: Frequent Southwest flyers who want Preferred seats at booking and Extra Legroom upgrades for themselves and up to eight companions
- What Sets It Apart: The only Southwest personal card with seat choice at booking and Extra Legroom upgrades; 7,500 anniversary points, the most of any Southwest personal card
- Cost: $229 annual fee; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR; no foreign transaction fees
- Features: 60,000 bonus points after $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months; 4X points on Southwest and 2X at gas stations and restaurants; first checked bag free and Group 5 boarding for up to 9 travelers
- Pros: Seat perks cover up to 8 companions; 7,500 anniversary points a year; no cap on 2X points
- Cons: No travel credit or lounge access; seats and upgrades only when available; no edge in earning elite status over cheaper cards from 2027
For more information, read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Review.
4. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
For freelancers and business owners who fly Southwest for work a few times a year. It’s the business version of the personal Premier, with the same fee, anniversary points, and seat perk.
- Best for: Business owners, side businesses included, who fly Southwest for work and check bags
- What Sets It Apart: Free first checked bags for up to 9 travelers on a reservation and a seat pick within 48 hours of departure for $149, about half the Performance Business card’s $299 fee
- Cost: $149 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.49% to 27.99% variable interest rate
- Features: 80,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases in 3 months; 3 points per $1 on Southwest; 2 points per $1 on the first $8,000 a year spent at gas stations and restaurants; 6,000 anniversary points; a yearly 15% flight discount code
- Pros: $90 saved per traveler on each round trip with a checked bag; 1 elite-status point per $1 starting in 2027; free employee cards
- Cons: No bag, seat, or boarding perks for employees flying alone; no seat choice at booking; no lounge access; bonuses stop counting toward the Companion Pass in 2027
For more information, read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card Review.
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
For business owners who fly Southwest for work most weeks. It’s the business version of the Priority, with 1,500 more anniversary points and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit for $70 more.
- Best for: Business owners who fly Southwest for work often and want a better seat on most trips
- What Sets It Apart: Preferred seat at booking; free Extra Legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departure
- Cost: $299 annual fee; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR; no foreign transaction fees
- Features: 80,000 bonus points after $5,000 in purchases in 3 months; 4X points on Southwest; 2X on gas, restaurants, hotels booked directly, and local transit; 9,000 anniversary points; free first checked bag and Group 5 boarding for up to 9 travelers
- Pros: Seat perks the Premier Business lacks; a credit of up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every 4 years; free employee cards that earn points
- Cons: $150 a year more than the Premier Business; employee cards get no seat, bag, or boarding perks; no lounge access
For more information, read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card Review.
With the same free bag on every card, the real choice is how much to pay for a better seat. The $99 Plus is enough for the bag alone, and each step up pays off only for a seat you’d actually use.
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