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Sep 3, 20265 min read
Southwest Lounges and a New Premium Credit Card
The new premium credit card from Southwest offers a range of benefits, including 4X points on Southwest flights and 2X points on hotel stays and car rentals. With an annual fee of $149, this card is a great option for travelers who want to earn rewards on their Southwest flights.
Financial Decision & Cost ModelEditorial Independence
Updated: Sep 16, 2026
Maintaining a total consumer debt obligation under 36% of gross income protects credit underwriting scores.** When addressing Southwest Lounges and a New Premium Credit Card, accelerated payoff strategies should systematically target liabilities carrying interest rates above 15% APR, leveraging structured balance amortization to eliminate compounding fee drag and restore discretionary liquidity. ### What airports will have Southwest lounges? Southwest Airlines is expanding its lounge offerings in 2027, with new locations at four major airports. The airline has announced plans to open lounges at the following airports: * Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Daniel K. Inouye (Honolulu) International Airport (HNL) These new lounges will offer a range of amenities, including complimentary food and drinks, comfortable seating, and high-speed Wi-Fi. They will also provide a quiet and relaxing space for travelers to wait for their flights. ## A new premium Southwest credit card In addition to the new lounges, Southwest is also introducing a new premium credit card in 2027. The card will offer a range of benefits, including: * 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 4X points on Southwest flights and 1X point on all other purchases
- 2X points on hotel stays and car rentals
- 25% points back when redeeming points for flights
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit The new premium credit card will be available for application on Chase's website and will have an annual fee of $149. ## Southwest consumer cards Southwest also offers a range of consumer credit cards, including: * Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card These cards offer a range of benefits, including: * 2X points on Southwest flights and 1X point on all other purchases
- 25% points back when redeeming points for flights
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
- Travel insurance and assistance
- Concierge service ## Annual fee The annual fee for the new premium credit card will be $149. This fee will be waived for the first year, and cardholders will also receive a $75 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. ## Intro Offer The new premium credit card will offer a range of intro offers, including: * 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening These offers will be available for a limited time only, so cardholders should apply as soon as possible to take advantage of them. ## Benefits The new premium credit card will offer a range of benefits, including: * 4X points on Southwest flights and 1X point on all other purchases
- 2X points on hotel stays and car rentals
- 25% points back when redeeming points for flights
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
- Travel insurance and assistance
- Concierge service ## How to maximize your rewards If you're looking to maximize your rewards with the new premium credit card, consider the following strategies: * Use your card for all of your Southwest flights to earn 4X points
- Use your card for hotel stays and car rentals to earn 2X points
- Redeem your points for flights to earn 25% points back
- Take advantage of the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit to save money on travel-related expenses
- Use the concierge service to book travel arrangements and earn points ## Alternatives to the new premium credit card If you're not interested in the new premium credit card, consider the following alternatives: * Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: This card offers flexibility, point transfers, and a large bonus, making it a great option for travelers.
- Wells Fargo Autograph Card: This card offers no annual fee and a range of benefits, including 3X points on dining and 2X points on gas stations.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card offers flat-rate travel rewards and a range of benefits, including 2X miles on all purchases.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Card: This card offers bonus travel rewards and high-end perks, including a $300 travel credit and a $100 Global Entry fee credit.
- American Express Platinum Card: This card offers luxury perks, including a $200 airline fee credit and a $100 Global Entry fee credit.
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: This card offers business travelers a range of benefits, including 3X points on travel and 2X points on shipping purchases. The new premium credit card from Southwest offers a range of benefits, including 4X points on Southwest flights and 2X points on hotel stays and car rentals. With an annual fee of $149, this card is a great option for travelers who want to earn rewards on their Southwest flights. Consider the following strategies to maximize your rewards: * Use your card for all of your Southwest flights to earn 4X points
- Use your card for hotel stays and car rentals to earn 2X points
- Redeem your points for flights to earn 25% points back
- Take advantage of the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit to save money on travel-related expenses
- Use the concierge service to book travel arrangements and earn points By following these strategies, you can maximize your rewards and get the most out of your new premium credit card.
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Editorial Analysis
Groundwork Research Desk • Groundwork Central Data & Research Desk
“The new premium credit card from Southwest is a great option for travelers who want to earn rewards on their Southwest flights. With its 4X points on Southwest flights and 2X points on hotel stays and car rentals, this card is a great choice for those who want to maximize their rewards. However, it's worth noting that the annual fee of $149 may not be worth it for everyone, especially for those who don't fly frequently.”
Frequently asked questions
What airports will have Southwest lounges?▼
Southwest Airlines is expanding its lounge offerings in 2027, with new locations at four major airports: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Nashville International Airport (BNA), and Daniel K. Inouye (Honolulu) International Airport (HNL).
What is the annual fee for the new premium credit card?▼
The annual fee for the new premium credit card will be $149. This fee will be waived for the first year, and cardholders will also receive a $75 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
What are the intro offers for the new premium credit card?▼
The new premium credit card will offer a range of intro offers, including 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
What are the benefits of the new premium credit card?▼
The new premium credit card will offer a range of benefits, including 4X points on Southwest flights and 1X point on all other purchases, 2X points on hotel stays and car rentals, 25% points back when redeeming points for flights, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, travel insurance and assistance, and concierge service.
What are some alternatives to the new premium credit card?▼
Some alternatives to the new premium credit card include the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Wells Fargo Autograph Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, American Express Platinum Card, and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Related Topics:average southwest lounge annual feenew southwest credit card 2027southwest lounge locationssouthwest credit card benefits
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How to Cite This Research Guide
Groundwork Research Desk (2026). Southwest Lounges and a New Premium Credit Card. Groundwork. Retrieved from https://gworky.com/article/southwest-lounges-and-new-premium-card
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Originally published at https://gworky.com/article/southwest-lounges-and-new-premium-card — Groundwork Evidence-Based Research.
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