New Southwest Personal Card Limited-Time Offers
Southwest just refreshed its lineup of personal credit card offers, and for travelers planning 2026 through early 2027 trips, these new deals could make flying with a partner much more rewarding.
Each Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® personal card now includes:
- A Companion Pass® valid through February 28, 2027
- Up to 40,000 bonus points after meeting minimum spending requirements
If Southwest is your go-to airline, these offers can make 2026 travel easier, more flexible, and more affordable.
But the offers vary by card. And they’re not the right fit for everyone. Let’s break it down.
A Quick Look at the Current Offers
All three Southwest personal cards include the same Companion Pass validity, but they differ in annual fee, spending requirement, and ongoing perks:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 + 20,000 points after $3,000 spend in 3 months
$99 annual fee
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 + 30,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months
$149 annual fee
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 + 40,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months
$229 annual fee
All three cards include:
- Companion Pass Qualifying Boost, and Bonus points on each anniversary year
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
- One free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation
The higher-tier cards add incremental value:
- Priority Card: 4X points on Southwest purchases, upgraded boarding including preferred at booking and upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure (when available) for the cardholder and up to 8 guests on a single reservation, A-List status boost opportunities, 2X on gas stations and restaurants.
- Premier Card: 3X points on Southwest purchases, A-List status boost opportunities, 2X at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per year.
- Plus Card: 2X on Southwest, groceries, and gas, now with no foreign transaction fees, just like the other 2 cards.
What Makes This Limited-Time Offer Different?
1) Companion Pass
Normally, you’d need to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards® points in one calendar year to unlock the Companion Pass. With these offers, you’ll earn it automatically after meeting minimum spending requirements.
That means your designated companion flies with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on every Southwest flight you book — through February 28, 2027. For many, that benefit alone can easily outweigh the annual fee.
2) Simpler Path to Big Savings
Traditionally, maximizing the Companion Pass has often required opening and managing multiple cards. This offer simplifies everything.
Open one card. Meet the spending requirement. Start booking flights for two*.
For beginners (or anyone who prefers a straightforward strategy, really) that simplicity is a big advantage.
*NOTE: Your Companion Pass typically doesn’t hit your account until 2-5 days to up to 2 weeks after your statement closes where you hit the minimum spend.
3) Great Timing for 2026 Travel
Because the pass is valid through February 2027, you’ll have nearly a full year of use.
If you already have trips planned, whether to Hawaii, Denver, Orlando, or regular domestic routes, the Companion Pass can save hundreds (or even thousands) with just a few round-trip flights.
When This Might Not Be the Best Move
This offer isn’t automatically the right choice for everyone.
1) The Welcome Bonus Is Modest
While the Priority Card’s 40,000-point offer is decent, Southwest’s typical historical bonuses range from 50,000 and higher. The focus here is clearly the Companion Pass, not the points themselves.
2) It’s About One Year of Value — Not Two
This Companion Pass setup gives you travel through February 2027 — roughly one year of benefit.
For travelers aiming for two full years of Companion Pass, the stronger long-term strategy remains pairing two business cards or the personal + business combo. Learn more about on Southwest Companion Pass strategy.
3) Eligibility Rules Apply
You can’t qualify for this bonus if you:
- Currently hold a Southwest personal credit card, or
- Have earned a Southwest personal card bonus in the last 24 months.
And as always, Chase’s 5/24 rule applies. If you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months, you won’t be eligible for new Chase cards.
Your Travel Freely CardGenie® dashboard can confirm your eligibility and whether this card is currently available to you.
Who These Offers Are Best For
These offers make the most sense for:
- Travelers who already have Southwest flights planned in 2026 and/or early 2027
- Couples or families who regularly fly together
- Beginners who want an easy path to the Companion Pass
- Those under 5/24 who are eligible for a new personal card
If you travel infrequently or prefer to earn transferable points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards®), you may get more long-term value from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which offers flexible redemptions across airlines and hotels, including Southwest.
Our Take
Southwest remains one of our favorite programs for stress-free domestic travel, especially for families and couples who appreciate the simplicity of Rapid Rewards®.
While the current personal card bonuses aren’t record-breaking, the Companion Pass can deliver big savings if you’re already planning a year of travel together.
For beginners, this offer provides an approachable entry point into the world of points and miles — without needing to manage multiple cards or advanced strategies.
👉 Check your CardGenie™ to see if you’re eligible for a Southwest card
Your dashboard will display which cards you can apply for today (and whether they appear under your 5/24 limit).
Travel Freely may receive a commission when you use our links to apply for a card – at no cost to you. We always share the best available offers, even when they don’t earn us anything.
