Today, Chase and Southwest introduced the new Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. The Chase Southwest Priority card has all of the same benefits as the award-winning Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card plus more anniversary points and new features that provide inflight savings and an elevated travel experience. It also comes with a 65,000 bonus and annual fee of $149.

Signup Bonus

Earn up to 65,000 points:

• Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.Same page link to Priority Offer details
• Plus, earn 25,000 points after you spend a total of $15,000 within your first year from account opening.

$149 annual fee applied to your first billing statement.

Application Page

Card Benefits

• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest^® and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit.
• Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
• 20% back on in-flight drinks, WiFi, messaging, and movies.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Earn tier qualifying points towards A-list Status.

Eligibility

The product is not available to either (i) current Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapids Rewards® Credit Card, or (ii) previous Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card who received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Cardmembers of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Card and Employee Credit Card products.

This  card is also subject to the Chase 5/24 rule.

Upgrade Offer

There’s a targeted offer for current Southwest cardholders. Valid until 09/30/18 11:59 p.m. ET.

• Upgrade your Southwest credit card to the new Southwest Priority credit card and get a 5,000 points bonus if you make a purchase by September 30th.

Upgrade Offer Page

Guru’s Wrap-Up

This is a decent new product from Chase and Southwest. However, is not really a big upgrade from the co-branded cards they already have. I don’t think many people will rush to get it. You need to spend a total of $15,000 to get the bonus of 65,000 points. On top of that, you are not eligible if you have any of the other Southwest cards. The Chase 5/24 rule also applies, so I don;t think it will be the first choice for those who can actually apply.

The upgrade offer could be worth doing if you do not qualify for the new card. You get the 7,500 anniversary points (compared to 3,000 with Rapid Rewards Plus) and $75 Southwest annual travel credit for $80 more in annual fee.

HT: DoC