Southwest loyalists chasing the Companion Pass — 7,500 anniversary points + $75 Southwest travel credit + 4 upgraded boardings/yr. Stacked with Southwest's free-checked-bag policy, the AF math is the cleanest of any single-airline card.

Not for

Travelers who fly other airlines internationally (Southwest's network is U.S. + Caribbean only) and anyone not chasing the Companion Pass — the entry-tier Southwest Plus is closer to right for casual Southwest flyers.

The catch

The Companion Pass is the cardholder's reason for being — earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year to get a free Companion on every Southwest flight you book for the rest of THAT year + next year. The card's earning rate alone won't get you there; 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: $149
Ongoing APR: 21.49% – 28.49% variable
Foreign transaction fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%
Late payment fee: Up to $40
Schumer Box verified: June 29, 2026

How we scored this card

See our published methodology — 5 dimensions, 0–20 each, 100-point total.

Effective rewards rate15 / 20

Fee structure16 / 20

Audience fit16 / 20

Transparency and trust17 / 20

Honest weakness named17 / 20

Total81 / 100 · Solid pick

Frequently asked

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's $149 annual fee worth it?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority charges a $149 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 + $75 Southwest travel credit + 4 upgraded boardings/yr. Stacked with Southwest's free-checked-bag policy, the AF math is the cleanest of any single-airline card.

What APR does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority charge?

21.49% – 28.49% 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?

Who should skip the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?

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 whether an honest weakness is 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.

This is an independent editorial review. This page carries no partner link and earns nothing from what you read here — our scoring is never influenced by compensation, and reflects only our published rubric. When you use our match tool, we may be paid by a partner (CardRatings) if you continue with a card from there. See our methodology and disclosure.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority81/100 · Solid pick

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority