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20 cards ranked

Best credit card to use at Southwest Airlines.

AirlinesTravel

Southwest Airlines is the largest U.S. domestic carrier by passenger volume and the home of the Rapid Rewards program. Tickets code as airfare on every card we track, and the Companion Pass — earned by hitting an annual points threshold — is widely considered the best perk in U.S. domestic travel. Co-branded Chase Rapid Rewards cards count signup bonuses toward Companion Pass qualification, which is the main reason most travelers carry one. Southwest doesn't sell tickets through OTAs.

  1. #1
    The Platinum Card
    American Express
    5x points on airlines
    Booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, up to $500,000 per calendar year
    6.0%5x points
  2. #2
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
    Chase
    Co-branded Southwest Airlines card
    Southwest Airlines purchases (flights, in-flight, gift cards)
    5.2%4x points
  3. #3
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
    Chase
    4x points on airlines
    Southwest Airlines purchases
    5.2%4x points
  4. #4
    Chase Sapphire Reserve
    Chase
    4x points on airlines
    Flights booked directly with airlines
    5.0%4x points
  5. #5
    Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
    Chase
    4x points on airlines
    Flights booked directly with airlines
    5.0%4x points
  6. #6
    Discover it Cash Backthis quarter
    Discover
    5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.
    Activation required each quarter
    5%
  7. #7
    Discover it for Studentsthis quarter
    Discover
    5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.
    Activation required each quarter
    5%
  8. #8
    Discover it Securedthis quarter
    Discover
    5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.
    Activation required each quarter
    5%
  9. #9
    NHL Discover itthis quarter
    Discover
    5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.
    Activation required each quarter
    5%
  10. #10
    US Bank Altitude Connect
    U.S. Bank
    4x points on travel
    4.0%4x points
  11. #11
    Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
    Wells Fargo
    4x points on airlines
    4.0%4x points
  12. #12
    World of Hyatt
    Chase
    2x points on airlines
    Purchased directly from airlines
    4.0%2x points
  13. #13
    World of Hyatt Businessif it’s your top category
    Chase
    2x points on airlines if it's your top eligible spend category that cycle
    Automatically 2x total in your top three spend categories each calendar quarter, from dining, shipping, airline tickets bought directly with the airline, local transit and commuting, social media and search engine advertising, car rental agencies, gas stations, and internet/cable/phone services
    4.0%2x points
  14. #14
    Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus
    Barclays
    4x points on travel
    4.0%4x points
  15. #15
    Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier
    Barclays
    4x points on travel
    4.0%4x points
  16. #16
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
    Chase
    Co-branded Southwest Airlines card
    Southwest Airlines purchases
    3.9%3x points
  17. #17
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
    Chase
    3x points on airlines
    Southwest Airlines purchases
    3.9%3x points
  18. #18
    Ink Business Preferred
    Chase
    3x points on travel (up to $150,000/year, then 1%)
    Travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, advertising on search engines and social media (combined)
    3.8%3x points
  19. #19
    American Express Gold
    American Express
    3x points on airlines
    3.6%3x points
  20. #20
    Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
    American Express
    7x points on airlines
    Flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com
    3.5%7x points

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Last updated July 28, 2026

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