Card comparison · Chase
Southwest Plus vs Southwest Premier
The Southwest Plus ($99 annual fee) ranks #56 and the Southwest Premier ($149) ranks #41 of the 294 credit cards we score. Here they are side by side, from our card database.
Side by side
| Southwest Plus | Southwest Premier | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase | Chase |
| Annual fee | $99 | $149 |
| Welcome offer | Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 55,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Rewards |
|
|
| Intro APR | — | — |
| Ongoing APR | — | — |
| Balance transfer fee | — | — |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Our overall score | 59 (#56 of 294) | 61 (#41 of 294) |
| Grocery ranking | #31 of 57 | #30 of 57 |
| Gas ranking | #28 of 43 | not in this list |
| Dining ranking | not in this list | #40 of 67 |
| Airline ranking | #9 of 39 | #8 of 39 |
| Apply now | Apply now |
Offers, fees and APRs are shown as stored in our database and can change at any time; terms apply. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying. Not financial advice. Partner links, where they exist, never change the order. Affiliate disclosure.
Which one fits you
- Higher overall score: Southwest Premier (61 vs 59). Our score weighs rewards value, fees, the welcome offer and APR; see how we score cards.
- Lower annual fee: Southwest Plus, by $50 a year ($99 vs $149). The pricier card has to earn at least $50 more in rewards or credits you actually use to come out ahead.
- Grocery: Southwest Premier ranks higher in our grocery ranking (#30 vs #31 of 57).
- Gas: only Southwest Plus is in our gas ranking (#28 of 43).
- Dining: only Southwest Premier is in our dining ranking (#40 of 67).
- Airline: Southwest Premier ranks higher in our airline ranking (#8 vs #9 of 39).
How we compared them
Every figure comes from our card database (checked against each issuer’s site) as of October 21, 2026 and is shown as stored, without our own estimates. Ranks use our overall score and, for categories, the score each category ranking is built on. Neither card can pay to rank higher, and partner links never change a score or an order. Terms apply; confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Southwest Plus better than the Southwest Premier?
By our overall score the Southwest Premier ranks higher (61 vs 59), but the better card is the one that fits your spending: compare the rewards rows above with where you spend most, and whether you'd use enough of the higher-fee card's benefits to cover its fee.
Which has the lower annual fee, Southwest Plus or Southwest Premier?
The Southwest Plus: $99 vs $149, as stored in our database.
What are the welcome offers on the Southwest Plus and Southwest Premier?
Southwest Plus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Southwest Premier: Earn 55,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months from account opening. Offers change often; terms apply.
Which is better for everyday categories like dining, groceries or travel?
Grocery: Southwest Premier ranks higher in our grocery ranking (#30 vs #31 of 57). Gas: only Southwest Plus is in our gas ranking (#28 of 43). Dining: only Southwest Premier is in our dining ranking (#40 of 67). Airline: Southwest Premier ranks higher in our airline ranking (#8 vs #9 of 39).