The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a co-branded credit card offered by Southwest Airlines and Chase. It provides 2X Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible flights purchased from Southwest Airlines, as well as eligible purchases from Southwest Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners.
New cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
Frequent Southwest flyers will get the most out of this card.
The Southwest Premier card is one of several co-branded Southwest credit cards, including business cards.
| Card | Annual Fee | Rewards |
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| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (Review) | $69 |
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| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card (This review) | $99 |
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| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Review) | $149 |
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| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (Review) | $99 |
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| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | $199 |
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Insider tip
Check out how Southwest credit card offers could help you score your next flight for free.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$99
- Regular APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- All points earned count towards Companion Pass®.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- Your points never expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards® program.
- 2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeN/A
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
Our Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
The Southwest Premier card gets 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a potentially valuable card, but only for the Southwest Airlines enthusiast. And its benefits don’t quite measure up to some of the better airline cards at the same fee tier.
Why We Like It
- 2X reward rate on Southwest flights, plus with Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners, simplifies the travel planning process
- 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year delivers an excellent return on spend
- 6,000-point anniversary bonus rewards you just for being a cardholder
- First and second checked bags are free
- Contactless card enables quick, tap-and-go payments (where available)
Why It Could Be Better
- $99 annual fee
- No chip-and-PIN technology, which may disappoint frequent international flyers
- Standard benefits
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Review) offers a more competitive offer, with perks to offset its larger annual fee
Insider Advice: Getting the Most Out of Your Card
- Book travel with your card: Earn at the 2X reward rate by booking flights with Southwest Airlines, and complete your travel plans with Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners.
- Get the signup bonus: 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- Enjoy the anniversary bonus: Get 6,000 bonus points after every cardmember anniversary, which makes up for a considerable chunk of the card’s $99 annual fee.
- Offset the annual fee: Ignoring the intro and anniversary bonuses, you’ll have to spend around $3,300 at the 2X reward rate to offset the card’s $99 annual fee if you value a Rapid Rewards point at 1.5 cents. The good news? After the first year, thanks to the 6,000-point anniversary bonus, the amount you’ll have to spend drops to $300. We recommend you spend more to actually come out on top, of course.
- Redeem with Southwest: Redeem your Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights to maximize the value of your rewards.
- Bring your card abroad: Travel with your card to avoid foreign transaction fees while savoring the peace of mind provided by its various included travel protections.
- Use it with other rewards cards: The Rapid Rewards Premier features a specific reward structure, so you should use it alongside another, more general rewards credit card that’s better for everyday spending.
The Rewards
Lower-end airline credit cards tend to have fairly limited bonus categories, and the Rapid Rewards Premier card does nothing to buck this trend. Even so, its 2X reward rate is a nice addition to the points you normally earn through the Rapid Rewards program.
Rapid Rewards points are currently quite valuable, typically worth 1.5–2 cents per point, so when you combine the points earned by the credit card and the Rapid Rewards program, you’ll earn an exceptional cash back equivalent of 12–28% on airfare, depending on the fare type purchased.
Earning
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There’s nothing too complicated going on here. You spend with Southwest and Rapid Rewards partners, and you get 2X Rapid Rewards points per purchase. That’s on top of the points you can already earn by flying Southwest.
So, for example, if you purchase a round-trip ticket at the Anytime fare tier, where you’d normally earn 10 points per dollar through the Rapid Rewards program, you’ll get 12 points per dollar by paying for the ticket with your card.
Insider tip
There are other ways to boost your point earnings with Southwest. Achieve A-List status by flying 25 one-way qualifying flights or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points in a year, and you’ll get a 25% point boost. Fly 50 one-way qualifying flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points in a year, and you’ll be granted A-List Preferred status, which gets you a 100% earning bonus.
Like we said earlier, Rapid Rewards points typically deliver a pretty good value, lending this otherwise average reward structure a bit more appeal. But that’s subject to change, and the value you’ll actually get out of your points depends on how you redeem them.
The introductory bonus is a touch more impressive. The low spending threshold, coupled with the generally high value of the points you’re earning, makes it a solid deal all around.
Because you only earn with Southwest and its partners, you might want to use this card with another rewards card to ensure you’re getting cash back or points on more common everyday purchases, like groceries and gas.
Redeeming
You can redeem the points you earn with the Rapid Rewards Premier card for Southwest flights, which is virtually always going to give you the best value.
You can also use Southwest’s Redeem for More Rewards portal to swap points for:
- Gift cards from 70+ retailers
- International flights, car rentals, and hotel stays
- Merchandise, including electronics, jewelry, and more
- Experiential rewards, like cruises and spa packages
But you should stick with flights if you’re aiming to make the most of your card.
We mentioned how Rapid Rewards points are generally valued between 1.5–2 cents, and quick research seems to back this up. A nonstop Southwest flight from EWR (Newark) to MDW (Chicago) would cost $104 in cash or 6,507 points, for a value of roughly 1.6 cents per point.
Just like cash prices, redemption prices will vary based on a host of factors, including distance, date, demand, and fare type.
Rapid Rewards points never expire, and you’ll never have to worry about blackout dates when you’re looking to plan your next getaway.
The Benefits
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card provides a middling set of benefits anchored by a surprisingly valuable anniversary bonus. Otherwise, there’s nothing particularly valuable, aside from the convenient travel protections that come standard with most travel credit cards at this fee tier.
The full set of benefits you end up receiving depends on your credit limit. If you’re approved with a limit of $5,000 or more, you’ll get a Visa Signature card and its associated benefits. Otherwise, you’ll get a Visa Platinum card.
- 6,000-point anniversary bonus: Get 6,000 bonus points every year after your cardholder anniversary.
- Earn tier qualifying points: Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $10,000 in purchases, up to 15,000 TQPs per calendar year, to help you reach the 35,000 TQPs required to earn A-List status, the 70,000 required for A-List Preferred status, and the 100,000 required for the Southwest Companion Pass.
- Travel insurance: Essential travel protections help you explore with confidence. Baggage delay, for example, offers reimbursement for essential items if your bag gets delayed or misdirected for more than six hours, while lost luggage reimbursement offers up to $3,000 per passenger if checked or carry-on bags are lost or damaged. You also get an auto rental collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance.
- Other shopping and travel protections: Aside from its travel insurance perks, the Rapid Rewards Premier delivers a handful of additional benefits, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, $0 fraud liability, and roadside dispatch. At the Visa Signature level, you’ll also get travel and emergency assistance.
You’ll seldom receive luxury benefits at the Premier’s price, so there’s nothing wrong with the card’s limited selection of benefits. But you may want to consider competing cards that provide stronger perks.
You could just stick with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Review). It charges a higher annual fee, but that’s essentially offset (after the first year, at least) by an annual travel credit and a higher anniversary bonus. You get slightly better benefits, too, which is why we tend to recommend it over the Premier.
The United℠ Explorer Card (Review) is a strong contender if you’re not afraid to switch airlines. It waives its $95 annual fee for the first year and provides a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, two annual United Club passes, and numerous other perks.
For something slightly less airline-restrictive, consider the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card (Review). It’s a general travel card, rather than a co-branded airline card, but it delivers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, plus a $100 airline incidental statement credit on top of that.
The Terms & Fees
| Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|
| 15.99% - 22.99% Variable | 15.99% - 22.99% Variable | 24.99% Variable |
| Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|
| $99 | $0 |
| Balance Transfer Fee | Cash Advance Fee |
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| Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater | Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater |
| Penalty APR | Late Fee | Returned Payment Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 29.99% | None | Up to $39 |
The Rapid Rewards Premier card’s terms and fees are standard across the board.
The highlight here is that there are no foreign transaction fees, which is a given for most travel credit cards. That means you can take the card along on every adventure without worrying about the additional fees you’re racking up every time you swipe.
The card does charge a $99 annual fee, which may seem a bit high for the rewards and benefits you’re getting. But after the first year, the 6,000-point anniversary bonus nearly offsets the entire annual fee in one shot.
Even if we assume each point is worth 1.5 cents, which is on the lower end for Southwest, that’s $90 in value every year. So you’d have to spend a measly $300 at the 2X reward rate to cover that remaining $9.
Considering how much the typical flight costs, that should be a breeze.
The Bottom Line
All in all, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a good travel credit card if you use it enough to get your money’s worth.
The card’s strong signup offer and annual anniversary bonus make it pretty easy to do just that. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Rapid Rewards points seem to maintain a pretty high value.
If you get this card, be sure to take advantage of the Visa Signature or Visa Platinum benefits. If your luggage is damaged or stolen, for example, you can rest assured that you’re covered up to a fairly high limit. That’s a huge benefit for simply using a credit card to book your travel, and it’s only one of many perks.
Just remember that this card is probably not the right pick for everyday purchases, so it’s best used with another credit card that suits your lifestyle.
How to Apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
If you think the Rapid Rewards Premier card is the right fit for your spending and travel habits, find out how to add it to your arsenal by clicking the “How to Apply” button below.
After you fill out and submit the application, you may be approved or denied immediately. But if you’re not, Chase may request more information.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Must be 18 (19 in Alabama, 21 in Puerto Rico)
- Personal identifying information, including birth date, Social Security number, email address, and phone number
- Total income and source of income
- Rapid Rewards account number
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$99
- Regular APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- All points earned count towards Companion Pass®.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- Your points never expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards® program.
- 2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeN/A
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
Alternatives to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
If you aren’t committed to flying Southwest every time you set foot on a plane, there are plenty of other, more flexible, credit card options that can help simplify your travel experience. We’ll cover a few top-tier general travel credit cards, though other co-branded airline cards are also available aplenty.
Insider tip
Southwest isn’t the only airline with co-branded credit cards. You’ll also find offers from Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, United, and other airlines.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$250
- Regular APRSee Pay Over Time APR
- Rose Gold is back. You can now choose between Gold or Rose Gold.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- Get up to 12 complimentary months of an Uber Eats Pass subscription when you enroll with your Gold Card by 12/31/21.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at:
- Restaurants
- U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
- 3X Membership Rewards points per dollar on:
- Flights booked directly with airlines
- Flights booked through amextravel.com
- 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar for every other purchase
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Balance Transfer FeeN/A
- Penalty APRSee Rates & Fees
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$0 for the first 5, then $35 each
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
The American Express® Gold Card (Review) is a fantastic dining/travel card if you’re an avid traveler with a mean appetite. The card boasts a rewards structure that’s both valuable and practical if you don’t eat out every night, a nice bonus, and a handful of helpful benefits.
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Key Features
- $120 annual dining credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits per month for purchases at eligible restaurants and food delivery services.
- Point transfer: To airline and hotel loyalty programs, like JetBlue, Southwest, Marriott, and Hyatt
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash: Add the Gold Card to the Uber App to get up to $10 in Uber Cash per month; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- The Hotel Collection: Provides up to $100 in credits for every eligible hotel stay of two nights or more, along with other perks.
- Amex Offers: Find discounts and extra point opportunities at a changing selection of merchants (offers are limited; enrollment required).
- ShopRunner membership: ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping and returns at participating online retailers.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
Read more in our Review: The American Express® Gold Card – Best Dining/Travel Card?.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$149
- Regular APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- 20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeUp to $39
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
Climb one step higher on the Southwest credit card ladder, and you’ll find the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Review). It’s the airline’s priciest non-business card, with an annual fee of $149 so it naturally provides a bit more value than the Rapid Rewards Premier.
The best part? You get a 7,500-point anniversary bonus, plus a $75 Southwest statement credit, basically offsetting that fee in full after your first year as a cardholder.
In fact, that makes the Rapid Rewards Priority our recommended Southwest card.
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Key Features
- 7,500 anniversary points: Receive 7,500 bonus points after each cardholder anniversary
- Travel perks: $75 annual Southwest travel credit, reimbursement for four Upgraded Boarding purchases annually, 20% back on in-flight purchases
- Travel insurance: Auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip accident insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee: $149
Read more in our 2021 Review: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – Best for Southwest Frequent Flyers?.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$95
- Regular APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Our best offer ever! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
- 5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- 2X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for:
- Travel
- Restaurants
- 1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
Bonus restrictions
You are ineligible for this bonus if you have a Sapphire card, or you’ve received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeUp to $39
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) is a very popular travel rewards credit card, and not just for its sharp looks. The Sapphire Preferred earns points on travel purchases, and the ability to redeem points through both Chase Ultimate Rewards and via point transfer gives the card a lot of flexibility.
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Key Features
- Travel perks: 25% point bonus when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel, point transfer to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Travel insurance: Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee: $95
Read more in our 2021 Review: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – The Best General Travel Card?.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$695
- Regular APRSee Pay Over Time APR
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1X) on:
- Flights booked directly through airlines or through American Express Travel
- Prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
- 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked through American Express Travel
- 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Balance Transfer FeeN/A
- Penalty APRSee Rates & Fees
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$175 for first 3; then $175 per card
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
It’s nearly impossible to discuss the greatest travel cards without mentioning The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review). In addition to its high-earning rewards program, this luxury card comes with premium benefits aplenty, including the most comprehensive airport lounge access you can get through plastic alone.
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Key Features
- Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- $200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
- $300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
- $240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
- CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Read more in our 2021 Review: The Platinum Card® from American Express – Is It Worth the $695 Annual Fee?
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$99
- Regular APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- All points earned count towards Companion Pass®.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- Your points never expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards® program.
- 2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeN/A
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
What’s your experience been with the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Card? Leave your own review of this card for other readers — we’d love to hear from you.
Airline cards aren’t for everyone. If you think you’d be better off with another type of credit card, check out our best card picks in every category.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier is a great credit card if you fly Southwest enough to offset the $99 annual fee. The card’s signup and anniversary bonuses make it relatively easy to do so.
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