My Southwest Airlines Confession: It's Complicated (and These Cards Are...Yikes)

Hey friends, Philip here from Points of Phillip. Today, things are a little different because we need to talk about the mess that is the new Southwest credit card situation. Some of you have asked for my reaction, and well, thanks for that! But I've been putting it off because, well, I have a confession: I have an irrational emotional attachment to Southwest cards. It's like I feel personally let down by Southwest and Chase here.

But let's get into it. (I promise to come clean!) Before we do, hit that like and subscribe button, because it really helps me know what you guys find helpful. And tell me in the comments: am I crazy for having an emotional attachment to a credit card?

My Southwest Backstory: A Financial Redemption Arc

For those who don't know, my financial background isn't exactly a rosy picture. Single-parent household, not a lot of financial literacy going around. I left college with some credit baggage, and for a long time, I didn't have many credit card options.

Then, I moved back to Florida, got my life together, paid off some collections... and this beauty arrived: the Southwest Plus card. It was a mail-in offer, a solid one for 100,000 points. I even snagged another 50,000 somehow (referral? Cancellation threat? Who knows!). At one point, I had 150,000 Southwest points.

This card was a big deal. It was my first travel card, a sign that my financial rebuilding was actually working. It was an affirmation, and it meant a lot. I even used the points from this card to take my wife on our first married trip to Nashville! That was the first time I felt like a responsible adult, actually benefiting from the credit card game.

Southwest, in its heyday, felt friendly. Post-COVID, they had automatically refundable travel credits that never expired. Points went back into your account immediately if you cancelled a flight. It felt like they had your back. And that's why it hurts to see things changing.

The New Southwest Cards: Garbage?

Okay, I'm just going to say it: The new Southwest cards are terrible. There's no sugarcoating it. But with that said, now might be the best time to get them. Let me explain...

First, let's talk about what was. I upgraded my Plus card to the Southwest Priority card. For $149 a year, you got $75 back in Southwest credit and 7,500 Southwest points. Essentially, the card paid you to have it. Plus, you got two free checked bags and four upgraded boardings each year. It was a no-brainer.

BUT NOW...

Southwest Priority Card

• Annual Fee: $225 (up from $149!)

• Benefits:

  • Complimentary preferred seat bookings.

  • First checked bag free.

  • Extra legroom seat upgrade (how valuable will this really be?).

  • 7,500 anniversary points.

  • 4x points on Southwest purchases, 2x on gas and restaurants.

  • No foreign transaction fees.

  • Upgraded boarding (supposedly).

What's missing? EVERYTHING that made the card worthwhile! No more concrete benefits, no credits, no coupons, no more early bird check-ins. They've replaced solid benefits with vague promises and points. They've increased the annual fee and taken away the reasons to carry the card.

Compared to the competition, it's a joke.

For example, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card has a $150 annual fee (waived the first year!) and gives you a $200 Delta flight credit (with $10,000 spend) and a $100 Delta Stays credit.

Why Get These Cards NOW? The Companion Pass

These signup bonuses are higher than ever, and that's a good thing. Because they unlock something powerful: the Companion Pass.

To get it, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. This includes spending on the card, signup bonuses, and Southwest flight purchases. Get the personal card with the 100,000 bonus plus a business card with a 60,000 bonus, and you've got immediate qualification!

Why does this matter?

Southwest has systematically destroyed every other reason to fly with them:

• Two free checked bags? Gone.

• Choose your own seat? Tricky now.

• Comfort? They've crammed more seats in.

• Direct Flights? Decreasing.

The Companion Pass is the last good thing that hasn't been completely ruined from the old Southwest (emphasis on yet). It's a buy-one-get-one-free pass for you and a companion, unlimited for a year.

If you want to snag the Companion Pass before Southwest inevitably destroys it too, now's the time. You can lock it in and potentially be grandfathered in if they change the rules next year. Plus, you'll have a ton of points to use!

My Verdict

I'll probably downgrade my Priority card back to the Plus (until I burn through my remaining Southwest points). I'm moving on to bigger and better things like Delta, American, and United, with cards that give me access to first-class seats.

But for some, locking in the Companion Pass while you can is a solid option.

Click the link in the description below to learn more about these offers!

What do you think about Southwest? Is it worth flying in 2025? Has it lost its charm? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for joining me on this emotional rollercoaster. I'll see you next time!