Why This Southwest Card Is a Solid Choice for Budget Travelers

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a good option for travelers who fly Southwest Airlines regularly and are looking to fly for nearly free, whether on long-haul or short flights. Plus, with frequent traveling and spending on the card, you can earn enough miles for a Companion Pass.

Here are just a few reasons why this card is a solid option for the frequent budget traveler:

The sign-up bonus gets you a head-start on earning a Companion Pass

This card’s sign-up bonus is as follows: Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.

It typically takes earning 135,000 points in one calendar year to get a Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a companion of your choosing to fly for just taxes and fees for a year or more depending on when you qualify.

The points included with the bonus count toward earning another Companion Pass, as do points earned from spending on the card.

Depending on how often you'd travel with a companion, this perk can offer enormous value, so if this card's bonus would help get you over the top, it can be well worth your while to apply.

The annual fee is largely offset by anniversary points

The pain of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s $149 annual fee is tempered a bit by the fact that you get 6,000 points on your cardmember anniversary. Assuming you'll use those points, that helps defray a decent chunk of the annual fee.

» Learn more: Baffled by points and miles? Let the 80/20 rule guide you

Enjoy travel perks when you fly Southwest

If you fly Southwest often, holding this card unlocks access to solid travel perks that you might otherwise pay extra for. Benefits include:

• A free checked bag for cardholders and up to eight additional passengers on your reservation.

• Ability to select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, depending on availability for flights starting in 2026.

• Group 5 boarding for you and up to eight passengers on your reservation.

Keep in mind that these extra benefits for cardholders apply even if you're booked on one of Southwest's Basic fares.

You'll earn more Rapid Rewards points on certain spending categories

On top the sign-up bonus and anniversary bonus, you'll also earn points in bonus spending categories.

• 3x points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.

• 2x points on restaurants and grocery stores on the first $8,000 in combined purchases each anniversary year.

• 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases through Dec. 31, 2025.

• 2x points on local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming through Dec. 31, 2025.

These categories are great for racking up more points on everyday spending, even when you're not flying anywhere.