Unlock the Secrets: Who Really Qualifies for Southwest’s Game-Changing Credit Card?

Ever wonder if there’s a secret to squeezing every last mile (or point) out of your travel budget? Well, if you’re a fan of Southwest Airlines, you’re in luck — because they’ve got not one, not two, but five different credit card options just waiting for you to snag. That’s right! Three personal cards and two business cards, each with perks that could turn your weekend getaway or business trip into a points-packed adventure. Now, before you dive in headfirst and start swiping, there are a handful of clever little rules and tricks you absolutely need to know. After all, it’s not just about having a card — it’s about playing the game smart, earning those juicy bonus points, and getting the most bang for your buck. Intrigued? You should be. Let’s unpack what makes these Southwest cards tick and how to figure out which one fits your travel style like a glove. LEARN MORE

Southwest Airlines offers five credit cards you can apply for: three personal and two business ones.

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees), Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees), new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

There are a few specific rules to watch out for when eyeing a Southwest credit card, depending on whether you want a personal card or a business card. Here’s what you need to know.

Which Southwest credit cards am I eligible for?

If you’re looking at Southwest credit cards, you have five options to choose from. The airline offers three personal cards and two business cards.

These are the personal cards:

And here are the two business cards:

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Currently, the personal cards all have a limited-time welcome offer. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth $1,350, based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations.

The two business cards have different welcome offers.

New Southwest Performance Business cardholders can earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Meanwhile, new Southwest Premier Business cardholders can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

According to our valuations, these welcome bonuses are worth $1,080 and $810, respectively.

Chase and Southwest keep the application process relatively simple by treating all personal cards equally and setting two simple rules for the business cards.

Related: How to track your progress toward a credit card welcome bonus

If you want to apply for a personal card

You are eligible to do so as long as you abide by the following criteria:

• The Chase 5/24 rule: You’ll almost certainly be rejected for a Southwest credit card if you’ve opened five or more credit cards (from any issuer) within the past 24 months, excluding most business cards.
• Card “family” restrictions: If you’ve already got a Southwest personal card, you can’t open another until you’ve canceled or product-changed your current card.
• Welcome bonus rules: You can’t open the card if you’ve earned a welcome bonus from a Southwest personal card within the past 24 months.

The important note here is that having a Southwest business credit card or employee card does not affect your eligibility for personal cards.

If you want to apply for a business card

You are eligible to do so as long as you are under 5/24 and meet the following rules:

• You cannot currently have that particular credit card.
• You cannot have received a bonus on that particular credit card in the past 24 months.

Applying for personal Southwest credit cards has no impact on your eligibility for business cards, except for the fact that it takes up one of your 5/24 slots. More importantly, having either Southwest business credit card doesn’t affect your eligibility for the other Southwest business card.

Related: Southwest Performance vs. Premier: Which Rapid Rewards business credit card is right for you?

What is the best plan to apply for Southwest credit cards?

Assuming you have a 5/24 slot or two to spare, the best plan for most people would be to apply for both Southwest business credit cards. Doing so won’t increase your 5/24 count and will keep you eligible for a personal Southwest card in the future.

Due to Chase’s application restrictions on personal Southwest cards, it’s a good idea to wait for the highest welcome bonus available or when a Companion Pass is offered before applying.

Related: How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass

Bottom line

It’s always important to plan your credit card applications and pay attention to card and issuer-specific rules.

While Chase’s “family restriction” on the personal Southwest cards throws a wrench into many people’s Companion Pass plans, the same restriction doesn’t apply to the two business cards.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Southwest Plus, Premier, Priority, Premier Business and Performance Business cards.

Apply here: Southwest Plus Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Priority Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Premier Business Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Learn more: Southwest Premier Credit Card