Best credit card for Southwest Airlines

Pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express. It earns about 8.5% back at Southwest Airlines, the highest rate we found.

No annual fee? Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns 4.3%.

Rank my cards insteadNo account or bank login
8.5%back at Southwest Airlines

Every card, ranked for Southwest Airlines

  1. 1
    The Platinum Card® from American ExpressBest
    $895 a year. Counts as Airfare. On up to $500,000 per calendar year.
    8.5%
    5x points
  2. 2
    Chase Sapphire Reserve®
    $795 a year. Counts as Airfare. 4x on flights booked direct.
    6.8%
    4x points
  3. 3
    Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
    $95 a year. Counts as Airfare.
    5.8%
    4x points
  4. 4
    Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
    $229 a year. Southwest Airlines bonus. Purchases made directly with Southwest.
    5.2%
    4x points
  5. 5
    American Express® Gold Card
    $325 a year. Counts as Airfare. 3x on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines.
    5.1%
    3x points
  6. 6
    American Express® Green Card
    $150 a year. Counts as Airfare.
    5.1%
    3x points
  7. 7
    Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
    $95 a year. Counts as Airfare.
    4.8%
    3x points
  8. 8
    Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
    No annual fee. Counts as Travel. 3x on travel (airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more).
    4.3%
    3x points
  9. 9
    4.0%
    4x points
  10. 10
    Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
    $149 a year. Southwest Airlines bonus. Purchases made directly with Southwest.
    3.9%
    3x points
Show all 122 cards
  1. 11
    Bilt Obsidian Card
    $95 a year. Counts as Travel. 2X on airlines, hotels, cruise lines and car rentals booked directly.
    3.6%
    2x points
  2. 12
    Bilt Palladium Card
    $495 a year. Base rate on everything.
    3.6%
    2x points
  3. 13
    IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card
    $350 a year. Counts as Travel. All other travel, including rideshare.
    3.5%
    6x points
  4. 14
    Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    3.4%
    2x points
  5. 15
    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
    $395 a year. Base rate on everything.
    3.4%
    2x points
  6. 16
    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
    $95 a year. Counts as Travel. 2x points on travel purchases.
    3.4%
    2x points
  7. 17
    World of Hyatt Credit Card
    $95 a year. Counts as Airfare.
    3.1%
    2x points
  8. 18
    Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Counts as Travel. If you pick it as your bonus category. 3% in the category you choose (change monthly); $2,500 combined quarterly cap with the 2% categories.
    3.0%
    3% back
  9. 19
    Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
    No annual fee. Counts as Travel. 3% in the category you choose (change monthly); $2,500 combined quarterly cap with the 2% categories.
    3.0%
    3% back
  10. 20
    Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
    No annual fee. Counts as Travel.
    3.0%
    3% back
  11. 21
    GM Rewards Mastercard
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    3.0%
    3x points
  12. 22
    Robinhood Gold Card
    $50 a year. Base rate on everything.
    3.0%
    3% back
  13. 23
    Truist Enjoy Beyond
    $95 a year. Counts as Airfare.
    3.0%
    3x points
  14. 24
    IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
    $150 a year. Counts as Airfare.
    2.9%
    5x points
  15. 25
    Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
    $550 a year. Counts as Airfare. 7x on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.
    2.8%
    7x points
  16. 26
    Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
    $99 a year. Southwest Airlines bonus. Purchases made directly with Southwest.
    2.6%
    2x points
  17. 27
    United Club℠ Card
    $695 a year. Counts as Travel.
    2.4%
    2x points
  18. 28
    United Quest℠ Card
    $350 a year. Counts as Travel.
    2.4%
    2x points
  19. 29
    Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
    $95 a year. Counts as Travel.
    2.4%
    4x points
  20. 30
    Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
    $595 a year. Base rate on everything.
    2.4%
    1.5x points
  21. 31
    2.2%
    3x points
  22. 32
    Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.1%
    1.25x points
  23. 33
    Apple Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2% back
  24. 34
    2.0%
    2x points
  25. 35
    2.0%
    2x points
  26. 36
    Bread Cashback® American Express® Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2% back
  27. 37
    Citi Double Cash® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2% back
  28. 38
    RCI Elite Rewards World Mastercard
    No annual fee. Counts as Travel. Includes rideshare, gas and EV charging.
    2.0%
    2x points
  29. 39
    SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2% back
  30. 40
    Synchrony Premier World Mastercard
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2% back
  31. 41
    T-Mobile Visa®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2x points
  32. 42
    Truist Enjoy Travel
    No annual fee. Counts as Airfare.
    2.0%
    2x points
  33. 43
    Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    2.0%
    2% back
  34. 44
    Bilt Blue Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.8%
    1x points
  35. 45
    Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature®
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1x points
  36. 46
    BJ’s One® Mastercard®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  37. 47
    Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  38. 48
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  39. 49
    Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  40. 50
    Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  41. 51
    Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  42. 52
    Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  43. 53
    Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  44. 54
    Chase Freedom Unlimited®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  45. 55
    Discover it® Miles
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  46. 56
    OnePay CashRewards Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  47. 57
    QuicksilverOne Rewards
    $39 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  48. 58
    REI Co-op® Mastercard®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  49. 59
    Regions Cash Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5% back
  50. 60
    The One Key® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    1.5x points
  51. 61
    Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
    $250 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    2x points
  52. 62
    Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    2x points
  53. 63
    Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
    $250 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.5%
    2x points
  54. 64
    1.4%
    1x points
  55. 65
    Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
    $350 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.4%
    1x points
  56. 66
    Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.4%
    1x points
  57. 67
    1.4%
    1x points
  58. 68
    JetBlue Plus Card
    $99 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.3%
    1x points
  59. 69
    Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Credit Card
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  60. 70
    British Airways Visa Signature® Credit Card
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  61. 71
    Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  62. 72
    Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
    $150 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  63. 73
    Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
    $350 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  64. 74
    Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
    $650 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  65. 75
    Hilton Honors American Express Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    3x points
  66. 76
    Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
    $150 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    3x points
  67. 77
    Iberia Visa Signature® Credit Card
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  68. 78
    United Gateway Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  69. 79
    United℠ Explorer Card
    $150 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    1x points
  70. 80
    IHG One Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.2%
    2x points
  71. 81
    AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  72. 82
    AT&T Points Plus® Card from Citi
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  73. 83
    Amazon Prime Visa
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  74. 84
    American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  75. 85
    Barclays View™ Mastercard®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  76. 86
    Bass Pro Shops CLUB Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  77. 87
    Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  78. 88
    Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  79. 89
    Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  80. 90
    Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
    $39 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  81. 91
    Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  82. 92
    Chase Freedom Flex®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  83. 93
    Citi Strata℠ Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  84. 94
    Discover it® Cash Back
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  85. 95
    Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurants Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  86. 96
    Discover it® Secured Cash Back
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  87. 97
    Discover it® Student Cash Back
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  88. 98
    Discover it® Student Chrome
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  89. 99
    Disney® Inspire Visa® Card
    $149 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  90. 100
    Disney® Premier Visa® Card
    $49 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  91. 101
    Disney® Visa® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  92. 102
    DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  93. 103
    Instacart Mastercard®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  94. 104
    Kohl's Rewards® Visa
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  95. 105
    L.L.Bean® Mastercard®
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  96. 106
    Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  97. 107
    Navy Federal cashRewards Secured
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  98. 108
    Regions Prestige Visa Signature Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  99. 109
    Robinhood Platinum Card
    $695 a year. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  100. 110
    Truist Enjoy Cash Secured
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  101. 111
    U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  102. 112
    U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  103. 113
    U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  104. 114
    U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1% back
  105. 115
    Williams Sonoma Key Rewards® Visa
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    1.0%
    1x points
  106. 116
    PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    0.9%
    1x points
  107. 117
    Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
    $95 a year. Base rate on everything.
    0.8%
    1x points
  108. 118
    Wells Fargo Choice Privileges Mastercard
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    0.8%
    1x points
  109. 119
    Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    0.7%
    1x points
  110. 120
    Bread Rewards® American Express® Credit Card
    No annual fee. Base rate on everything.
    0.5%
    1x points
  111. 121
    Citi Simplicity® Card
    No annual fee. No rewards. This card is built for its 0% intro APR.
    0.0%
    No rewards
  112. 122
    Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
    No annual fee. No rewards. This card is built for its 0% intro APR.
    0.0%
    No rewards

Percent back is the value of what you earn per dollar: points times what a point is worth to you. Rankings are our own, and issuers don’t pay for placement (how we rank). Confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.

Common questions

What's the best credit card to use at Southwest Airlines?

The The Platinum Card® from American Express earns the most at Southwest Airlines: about 8.5% back. The best card with no annual fee is the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card at 4.3%.

What do purchases at Southwest Airlines count as for credit card rewards?

Purchases at Southwest Airlines usually code as Airfare. Flights booked directly with an airline.

Which of my cards should I use at Southwest Airlines?

Add the cards you carry on PayWithThis — it takes about 30 seconds, with no account or bank login — and every page, including this one, will show which of your own cards earns the most at Southwest Airlines.

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