Chase Southwest personal cards are back with a refreshed set of signup bonuses, and the timing is worth a closer look if you fly Southwest even a few times a year. The Southwest Plus, Premier, and Priority cards now offer a path to 80,000, 85,000, or 90,000 Rapid Rewards points, which is enough to jumpstart a big trip or move you closer to the Companion Pass.
For travelers who like simple redemptions, Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be especially useful because there are no blackout dates and the rewards are easy to book. Add in a lower spending requirement on the Plus and Premier cards, and this round of offers becomes more appealing than it first appears.
What the New Southwest Signup Bonus Offers Look Like
The current welcome bonuses are straightforward. The Southwest Priority card offers 90,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, the Premier offers 85,000 points after $2,000 in purchases, and the Plus offers 80,000 points after just $1,000 in purchases.
Those lower minimum spend thresholds are a big deal for people who want a bonus without putting a huge amount of expenses on a new card right away. The offers are valid through July 1, 2026 via the public link and July 6, 2026 through a referral link, so there is a little breathing room to compare options before applying.
Which Chase Southwest Personal Card Fits Your Travel Style
If you want the lowest annual fee, the Plus card is the budget-friendly choice at $99. The Premier sits in the middle with a $149 annual fee, while the Priority comes in at $229 and packs the richest set of perks.
The right pick depends on how often you fly and how much you value extras like seat access, companion travel, and earning toward status. For occasional Southwest flyers, the Plus may deliver enough value through the bonus alone. For frequent travelers, the Premier and Priority cards can make more sense because the ongoing benefits help offset the higher annual fee.
Southwest Card Benefits That Add Real Value
Beyond the welcome offer, these cards include several travel-friendly perks. Cardholders get a first checked bag free for themselves and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation, which matters now that Southwest no longer offers free checked bags for everyone.
You also get no foreign transaction fees, Group 5 boarding for earlier access to overhead bins, and 25% back on in-flight purchases on eligible cards. The Plus and Premier cards include two earlybird check-ins per year, while the Premier card includes a 15% annual flight discount and the Plus offers 10% off. Those touches can quietly save money over the course of a year.
Seat Access and Status Earning Perks
The Premium side of the lineup gets even more interesting if you care about comfort and elite status. The Premier and Priority cards offer seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available, while the Priority card also adds preferred seat selection at booking and the ability to upgrade to extra legroom seats when available.
Both the Premier and Priority cards also earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status. That makes them more than just rewards cards, since everyday spending can help you move closer to elite benefits without changing your normal travel habits.
How the Companion Pass Boost Changes the Math
One of the most useful details here is the 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying miles that cardholders receive. That lowers the total amount needed for the pass from 135,000 to 125,000, which can make a big difference if you are planning a year of Southwest travel with a companion.
That said, timing still matters. If your goal is to hold the Companion Pass for as long as possible, you will want to think carefully about when you apply and when the bonus posts. In the right month, a strong signup offer can go a lot further than the headline number suggests.
Should You Apply for a Southwest Card Now
These are strong offers by recent standards. Chase did briefly push these cards to 100,000 points once in 2025, but 85,000 has been a common high-water mark, so this round is still impressive, especially with the reduced spending thresholds on the Plus and Premier cards.
Before you apply, remember that the Chase 5/24 rule still applies. If you are under that limit and you can use Southwest points for upcoming flights, this may be a smart time to lock in a bonus. Use the direct offer link from Chase, open it in a new window, and compare the annual fee against the travel perks so you can choose the card that fits your plans best.
