Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Chase · Airline review
Southwest loyalists chasing the Companion Pass — 7,500 anniversary points, 4x earning on Southwest purchases, and uncapp
Sorted by score, never commission
Annual fee
$229
Charged each renewal year
Ongoing APR
19.24% – 27.74% variable
Variable — verify the current range at the issuer
Foreign transaction fee
None
Travel-friendly abroad
As of July 17, 2026
Best for
Southwest loyalists chasing the Companion Pass — 7,500 anniversary points, 4x earning on Southwest purchases, and uncapped 2x at gas stations and restaurants. Stacked with Southwest's free-checked-bag policy, the AF math still works if you fly enough to justify the $229 fee.
Not for
Travelers who fly other airlines internationally (Southwest's network is U.S. + Caribbean only), anyone not chasing the Companion Pass, and infrequent flyers who won't clear the $229 AF — the entry-tier Southwest Plus is closer to right for casual Southwest flyers.
The catch
Chase raised the annual fee from $149 to $229 in its 2025 refresh (effective immediately for new cardholders, at the 2026 renewal date for existing ones) and swapped the $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 4 upgraded boardings/yr for uncapped 2x at gas/restaurants and 4x (up from 3x) on Southwest purchases — run the new perk mix against your actual spend before assuming it clears the higher AF. Beyond that, the Companion Pass is still the cardholder's real reason for being: it takes 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, which the card's earning rate alone won't reach — the sign-up bonus + spend is the calculus.
Card facts
Sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box and terms — confirm current numbers at the issuer.
Product specs
- Annual fee
- $229
- Ongoing APR
- 19.24% – 27.74% variable
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Balance transfer fee
- $5 or 5%
- Late payment fee
- Up to $40
- Schumer Box sourced
- July 17, 2026
How we scored this card
See our published methodology — 5 dimensions, 0–20 each, 100-point total.
Get an email when Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's offer changes.
We track Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's current offer and terms. We'll email you the moment they change — no checking back.
Frequently asked
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's $229 annual fee worth it?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority charges a $229 annual fee. In our review it earns a fees score of 16/20 — the "How we scored this card" section below shows how we weigh that against the rewards and benefits. Southwest loyalists chasing the Companion Pass — 7,500 anniversary points, 4x earning on Southwest purchases, and uncapped 2x at gas stations and restaurants. Stacked with Southwest's free-checked-bag policy, the AF math still works if you fly enough to justify the $229 fee.
What APR does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority charge?
19.24% – 27.74% variable. APRs are variable and set by the issuer — confirm the current range on the issuer's Schumer Box before you commit.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority has no foreign transaction fee, so it works cleanly for purchases abroad.
Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority best for?
Southwest loyalists chasing the Companion Pass — 7,500 anniversary points, 4x earning on Southwest purchases, and uncapped 2x at gas stations and restaurants. Stacked with Southwest's free-checked-bag policy, the AF math still works if you fly enough to justify the $229 fee.
Who should skip the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
Travelers who fly other airlines internationally (Southwest's network is U.S. + Caribbean only), anyone not chasing the Companion Pass, and infrequent flyers who won't clear the $229 AF — the entry-tier Southwest Plus is closer to right for casual Southwest flyers.
How did ClearValue score the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority scored 81/100 — "Solid pick". We score every card across five dimensions (effective rewards, fee structure, audience fit, transparency, and the weakness named), 0–20 each. Scores are never influenced by commission. See our methodology for the full rubric.
Alternatives to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Other airline cards we've scored, ranked by our methodology.
- Bank of AmericaWorth considering
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature (Atmos Rewards Ascent)
77/100Annual fee$95Ongoing APR19.49–27.49%Foreign txn feeNoneBest forAlaska and Hawaiian Airlines flyers — especially on the West Coast — who want an annual $99 companion fare (plus taxes a
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-07-17
- ChaseWorth considering
United Explorer Card
77/100Annual fee$150Ongoing APR19.74–28.24%Foreign txn feeNoneBest forTravelers loyal to United who fly 2-4 round trips a year, want a free checked bag, and value priority boarding + 2× Unit
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-07-16
- CitiWorth considering
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
76/100Annual fee$99Ongoing APR19.49–29.49%Foreign txn feeNoneBest forAmerican Airlines loyalists who want a free first checked bag (for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-07-21
