Card Optimizer

Best credit card for Southwest Airlines

The card that earns the most on a $100 purchase at Southwest Airlines, out of the 106 cards we track.

Top pick

American Express Platinum Card

$7.50 on $100

7.5% back · $895 annual fee

  • 5x points on airfare.
  • 500 Amex Membership Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.
  • The bonus rate covers up to $500,000 of spend a year.
See which of your cards wins at Southwest Airlines

Also worth a look

  • Runner-up

    Chase Sapphire Reserve

    $6.00 on $100

    6% back · $795 annual fee

  • Also good

    Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

    $6.00 on $100

    6% back · $795 annual fee

  • Also good

    Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

    $5.20 on $100

    5.2% back · $229 annual fee

  • Best with no annual fee

    American Express Blue Business Plus

    $3.00 on $100

    3% back · $0 annual fee

See the top 10 at Southwest Airlines with rates, fees and why each earns what it does

  1. American Express Platinum Card

    7.5% back · $895 annual fee

    $7.50 on $100

    • 5x points on airfare.
    • 500 Amex Membership Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.
    • The bonus rate covers up to $500,000 of spend a year.

  2. Chase Sapphire Reserve

    6% back · $795 annual fee

    $6.00 on $100

    • 4x points on airfare.
    • 400 Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  3. Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

    6% back · $795 annual fee

    $6.00 on $100

    • 4x points on airfare.
    • 400 Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  4. Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

    5.2% back · $229 annual fee

    $5.20 on $100

    • 4x points at Southwest Airlines.
    • 400 Southwest Rapid Rewards points valued at 1.3¢ each.

  5. Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

    5.2% back · $299 annual fee

    $5.20 on $100

    • 4x points at Southwest Airlines.
    • 400 Southwest Rapid Rewards points valued at 1.3¢ each.

  6. Chase Aeroplan

    4.5% back · $195 annual fee

    $4.50 on $100

    • 3x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 300 Aeroplan points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  7. American Express Gold Card

    4.5% back · $325 annual fee

    $4.50 on $100

    • 3x points on airfare.
    • 300 Amex Membership Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  8. Chase Ink Business Preferred

    4.5% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.50 on $100

    • 3x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 300 Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.
    • The bonus rate covers up to $150,000 of spend a year.

  9. Citi Strata Premier

    4.2% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.20 on $100

    • 3x points on airfare.
    • 300 Citi ThankYou points valued at 1.4¢ each.

  10. Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus

    4% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.00 on $100

    • 4x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 400 Wyndham Rewards points valued at 1¢ each.