Southwest Chase cards offer up to 90,000 points before Companion Pass rules change
Frequent Miler reports that approval by Dec. 2, 2026, lets the bonus count toward a Companion Pass valid through 2027.
All three personal Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards from Chase now have higher welcome offers. The Priority card leads with 90,000 points, the Premier card offers 85,000, and the Plus card offers 80,000.
The timing matters. Southwest is changing how the Companion Pass works in 2027. Frequent Miler reports that if you are approved for a Southwest card by Dec. 2, 2026, the welcome bonus points will still count toward a Companion Pass valid through 2027. It says Southwest confirmed this, even if you finish the spending in early 2027.
The current offers
Here is what Chase lists on its Southwest card page, with annual fees from Frequent Miler:
| Card | Welcome bonus | Spend in first 3 months | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | 80,000 points | $1,000 | $99 |
| Premier | 85,000 points | $2,000 | $149 |
| Priority | 90,000 points | $3,000 | $229 |
Chase also lists 80,000 points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card after $5,000 in spending in the first three months.
Frequent Miler notes that the Premier and Priority offers are now also available through referral links.
Why the Dec. 2 date matters
We covered Southwest's 2027 Companion Pass changes last month. Frequent Miler describes them as a shift that makes the Companion Pass a status benefit.
Under the current rules, credit card bonus points count toward the pass. Frequent Miler says a Southwest cardholder needs 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year to earn it, so a bonus of 80,000 to 90,000 points covers about two thirds of the goal.
Frequent Miler calls this offer a chance to make "one last swing at a Companion Pass before the credit card bonus changes take effect in December."
For a Companion Pass that runs through 2027, the key date is your approval, not your spending. Apply and get approved by Dec. 2, 2026.
What each card adds
Frequent Miler lists these ongoing perks:
- Plus ($99): 3,000 bonus points each year at renewal, 2 points per dollar on Southwest, and 2 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores on up to $5,000 a year combined
- Premier ($149): 6,000 bonus points each year at renewal, 3 points per dollar on Southwest, and 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores on up to $8,000 a year combined
- Priority ($229): 7,500 bonus points each year at renewal, 4 points per dollar on Southwest, and 2 points per dollar on gas and dining
All three include a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight companions, plus Group 5 boarding, according to Frequent Miler.
The biggest difference is seat selection. Frequent Miler says Plus cardholders can pick a standard seat 48 hours before departure, Premier cardholders can pick a Preferred seat 48 hours out, and Priority cardholders get a Preferred seat at booking plus Extra Legroom upgrades 48 hours before departure.
Who can get the bonus
Chase has strict rules for these cards:
- Southwest family rule: Frequent Miler says you can't get the bonus on a personal Southwest card if you have one now, or if you got a bonus on any personal Southwest card in the past 24 months. The business card is separate.
- 5/24 rule: You are unlikely to be approved if you opened five or more cards with any bank in the past 24 months.
How much the points are worth
Frequent Miler values Southwest points at 1.3 cents each. At that rate, 80,000 points are worth about $1,040 in flights, and 90,000 points are worth about $1,170.
The Points Frog take
These are strong offers, and the Dec. 2 deadline gives them extra value. If you want a Companion Pass for 2027, a new card approved before that date could cover most of what you need.
If seat choice matters to you, the Priority card makes the most sense. If you just want the points, the Plus card has the lowest fee and the lowest spending bar.