Southwest's premium credit card, the Southwest Priority, is built for one type of traveller: the person who flies the airline several times a year and wants the onboard experience to hurt less. The Points Guy's updated review rates it three and a half stars, and the math behind that score is worth understanding before you apply.
The card costs $229 a year, and nearly all of its value comes from day-of-travel perks rather than everyday spending rewards. Cardholders get a free first checked bag for themselves and up to eight companions on the same reservation — significant when most checked bags run $45 (or $30 on interisland Hawaii flights). Check a bag on five mainland flights and you've essentially covered the fee. Add Group 5 boarding, preferred seat selection at booking, and complimentary upgrades to extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure when available, and the comfort case gets stronger.
There's also an anniversary bonus of 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, worth about $94 by TPG's October 2026 valuations, and starting in 2027 card spending will earn one tier qualifying point per dollar toward elite status — a notable change for loyalists chasing status under Southwest's new system.
Where the card disappoints is earning. You get 4 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points at restaurants and gas stations, 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through the end of 2027), and just 1 point on everything else. That's underwhelming compared to flexible rewards cards, so TPG suggests treating it as a benefits card rather than a daily driver. Points themselves can only be redeemed for Southwest flights at dynamic prices — TPG recommends holding out for at least 1.25 cents per point — though international partner redemptions with airlines like Icelandair, Etihad and China Airlines arrive in spring 2027.
The review also weighs the Priority against the cheaper Southwest Premier at $149. Both cards match on the free checked bag and boarding, but the Premier only unlocks preferred seats within 48 hours of departure and pays 6,000 anniversary points instead of 7,500. That extra $80 buys earlier seat selection, legroom upgrades and a slightly different bonus category mix — worth it if you'd otherwise pay for better seating, less so if you fly occasionally.
The bottom line for holiday planners: if Southwest serves your home airport and you book multiple trips a year on it, the Priority can pay for itself in bags and seats alone. If you fly the airline once or twice annually, you'll get more from a cheaper Southwest card or a flexible points card that transfers to Southwest anyway.
