Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card: Maximize Purchases, Upgrade Boarding, and Enjoy Travel Credits

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is an attractive option for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers, offering a compelling combination of rewards, perks, and benefits. With up to 3x points on purchases, upgraded boarding opportunities, and valuable travel credits, this card can help you make the most of your Southwest travel experiences.

Earning Points on Purchases

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers a generous earning structure, with 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services, and 1x point on all other purchases. This means that frequent Southwest flyers can earn a substantial number of points on their everyday spending, which can be redeemed for free flights, gift cards, and more.



For example, a frequent Southwest traveler who spends $10,000 annually on Southwest flights would earn 30,000 points on those purchases alone. According to TPG's November 2024 valuations, Southwest points are worth 1.3 cents each, making the 30,000 points worth $390. This is a substantial return on investment for frequent Southwest flyers, as it represents a 3.9% return on their spending on Southwest flights.

Upgraded Boarding Benefits

One of the most valuable perks of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is the four upgraded boardings it offers each year. These upgraded boardings allow cardholders to purchase the best available boarding position on the day of travel, providing early access to seats and overhead bins. This can significantly enhance the travel experience, especially on longer flights or when traveling with carry-on luggage.

For frequent Southwest travelers, the upgraded boarding benefit can be a significant advantage. Assuming an average cost of $30 per upgraded boarding, the four upgraded boardings provided by the card would have a value of $120. This is a substantial benefit for frequent flyers, as it can help ensure a more comfortable and convenient flight experience.

Travel Credits and Anniversary Points

In addition to its generous earning structure and upgraded boarding benefits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points each year. These benefits can help offset the card's $149 annual fee and provide additional value for frequent Southwest travelers.

The $75 annual Southwest travel credit can be used on most Southwest purchases, including tickets (excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases). Assuming you use the credit for a flight, the value is straightforward: $75. If you don't use the credit for a flight, the value may be lower, as you might not get the full $75 worth of value from other purchases.

The 7,500 anniversary points are worth approximately $97.50 (7,500 points * $0.013/point), according to TPG's November 2024 valuations. These points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, with Wanna Get Away fares starting at 5,400 points for a one-way flight within the continental U.S. (as of 2025-03-01).

Combining these benefits, the potential value is at least $172.50 ($75 travel credit + $97.50 points). This value alone exceeds the card's $149 annual fee, making it a worthwhile investment for most users, especially frequent Southwest travelers.

Conclusion

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers a compelling combination of rewards, perks, and benefits for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers. With up to 3x points on purchases, upgraded boarding opportunities, and valuable travel credits, this card can help you make the most of your Southwest travel experiences. Whether you're looking to earn free flights, enjoy a more comfortable flight experience, or simply want to maximize the value of your Southwest travel, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is an excellent choice.