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.
- #1American Express5x points on airlines (up to $500,000/year, then 1%)Booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, up to $500,000 per calendar year6.0%5x points
- #2ChaseCo-branded Southwest Airlines cardSouthwest Airlines purchases (flights, in-flight, gift cards)5.2%4x points
- #3ChaseCo-branded Southwest Airlines cardSouthwest Airlines purchases5.2%4x points
- #45.0%4x points
- #55.0%4x points
- #6FNBO5x points on travelAirlines, hotels, car rental, cruise lines, travel agencies, transit, taxis, tolls, and timeshares by merchant category code5.0%5x points
- #7Discover it Cash Backthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #8Discover it for Studentsthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #9Discover it Securedthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #10NHL Discover itthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #114.0%4x points
- #12PenFed Credit Union4x points on travel4x with PenFed Honors Advantage (military or Access America checking); 3x otherwise4.0%4x points
- #134.0%4x points
- #144.0%4x points
- #154.0%2x points
- #164.0%4x points
- #174.0%4x points
- #18World of Hyatt Businessif it’s your top categoryChase2x points on airlines if it's your top eligible spend category that cycleAutomatically 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 services4.0%2x points
- #193.9%3x points
- #20ChaseCo-branded Southwest Airlines cardSouthwest Airlines purchases3.9%3x points
Last updated September 14, 2026