The definitive guide to Southwest credit card approval

Overview of Southwest Airlines Credit Cards

Southwest Airlines provides a variety of credit card options for both personal and business users. These cards are designed to help customers earn points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits. There are five different credit cards available: three personal and two business cards.

The personal cards include the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Each of these cards comes with an annual fee, which varies depending on the level of benefits provided. The Plus Credit Card has a $99 annual fee, while the Premier and Priority Credit Cards have higher fees of $149 and $229 respectively.

For business users, there are two options: the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card. Both of these business cards also come with annual fees, with the Premier Business card costing $149 and the Performance Business card at $299.

Welcome Offers and Bonus Points

Currently, all of the personal Southwest credit cards offer a limited-time welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account. This bonus is valued at approximately $1,350 based on recent valuations.

In contrast, the two business cards have different welcome offers. New holders of the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card can earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months, while those who apply for the Premier Business Credit Card can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 during the same period. These bonuses are worth around $1,080 and $810, respectively.

Eligibility and Application Rules

When applying for a personal Southwest credit card, applicants must adhere to specific eligibility rules. One key rule is the Chase 5/24 rule, which states that individuals who have opened five or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months may be rejected. However, this rule does not apply to most business cards.

Another important restriction is the "card family" rule. If you already have a Southwest personal card, you cannot open another one until you cancel or change your current card. Additionally, if you have earned a welcome bonus from a Southwest personal card within the past 24 months, you are ineligible to apply for another personal card.

For business cards, the eligibility criteria are slightly different. Applicants must not currently hold the same type of business card and must not have received a welcome bonus on that specific card within the last 24 months. Importantly, having a personal Southwest credit card does not affect eligibility for a business card, except that it uses up one of the 5/24 slots.

Strategic Application Plan

If you have a few 5/24 slots available, applying for both Southwest business credit cards could be a smart move. This approach allows you to avoid increasing your 5/24 count while keeping your eligibility for future personal cards intact. It's also advisable to wait for the highest welcome bonus or when a Companion Pass is offered before applying for a personal card.

Conclusion

Planning your credit card applications carefully is essential to maximize the benefits and avoid potential rejections. While the family restrictions on personal cards can complicate plans for earning a Companion Pass, these restrictions do not apply to the business cards. Understanding the differences between each card and their respective terms can help you make an informed decision.

For more information on the specific features and benefits of each card, consider reviewing detailed guides on the Southwest Plus, Premier, Priority, Premier Business, and Performance Business cards. You can also explore the application links for each card and learn more about their unique offerings.