Southwest Airlines provides a selection of five credit cards: three designed for personal use and two for businesses.
With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees), Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees), new cardholders can earn a bonus of 100,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening.
The details for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier have been independently gathered by The Points Guy. The information provided here has not been verified or endorsed by the card issuer.
When considering a Southwest credit card, there are specific criteria to keep in mind based on whether you’re interested in a personal or business card.
Which Southwest credit cards can I apply for?
You have five Southwest credit card options available: three personal cards and two business cards.
Here are the personal card options:
And the two business card options:
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At present, all personal cards feature a limited-time welcome offer. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This bonus equals approximately $1,350, according to Flying Frugal’s valuations as of August 2025.
The two business cards present different welcome offers:
New cardholders of the Southwest Performance Business card can earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 within three months of account opening.
Meanwhile, newcomers to the Southwest Premier Business card can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the same timeframe.
These bonuses are valued at approximately $1,080 and $810, respectively.
Both Chase and Southwest have streamlined the application process, treating all personal cards equally and applying two straightforward rules for the business cards.
Related: How to track your progress toward a credit card welcome bonus
If you wish to apply for a personal card
Your eligibility hinges on meeting the following criteria:
- The Chase 5/24 rule: You are likely to be denied a Southwest credit card if you’ve opened five or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months, excluding most business cards.
- Card “family” restrictions: If you already have a Southwest personal card, you cannot open another until you cancel or product-change your current card.
- Welcome bonus rules: You cannot open the card if you’ve received a welcome bonus from a Southwest personal card within the past 24 months.
Notably, holding a Southwest business credit card or an employee card does not impact your eligibility for personal cards.
If you want to apply for a business card
You’ll be eligible if you’re under the 5/24 limit and adhere to the following rules:
- You cannot currently possess that particular credit card.
- You cannot have received a bonus on that specific credit card within the last 24 months.
Applying for personal Southwest credit cards does not affect your eligibility for business cards, although it will occupy one of your 5/24 slots. Importantly, holding one Southwest business credit card does not affect your eligibility for the other business card.
Related: Southwest Performance vs. Premier: Which Rapid Rewards business credit card is right for you?
What’s the best approach for applying for Southwest credit cards?
Assuming you have a slot or two in your 5/24 limit, the most strategic approach for most individuals would be to apply for both Southwest business credit cards. This will not increase your 5/24 count and will keep you eligible for a personal Southwest card in the future.
Given Chase’s restrictions on personal Southwest card applications, it’s advisable to wait for the most enticing welcome bonus or a Companion Pass promotion before applying.
Related: How to swiftly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
Conclusion
Carefully planning your credit card applications and observing issuer-specific rules is essential.
While Chase’s “family restriction” on personal Southwest cards complicates many users’ Companion Pass aspirations, this limitation does not apply to the two business cards.
For more details, explore our comprehensive reviews of the Southwest Plus, Premier, Priority, Premier Business, and Performance Business cards.
Apply here: Southwest Plus Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Priority Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Premier Business Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Learn more: Southwest Premier Credit Card
