Chase Southwest Cards Overhauled: Higher Fees, Big Bonuses

Chase and Southwest have revamped their co-branded credit cards, introducing significant changes to fees, benefits, and welcome bonuses. All five cards—the Plus, Premier, and Priority personal cards, and the Premier and Performance business cards—now carry higher annual fees. However, they also boast enhanced perks. The welcome bonuses on personal cards have been increased, while business card bonuses remain unchanged. The most notable changes include the addition of free checked bags for cardholders and up to eight companions, complimentary seat selection (ranging from Standard to Preferred, with some cards offering Extra Legroom upgrades), and annual flight discounts (10% or 15%, depending on the card). The Priority card and the business cards also offer accelerated A-List status earning through annual spending. The Priority card, with its $299 annual fee, allows cardholders to earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) towards A-List status for every $5,000 spent, whereas the business cards offer 2,000 or 2,500 TQPs for the same spending amount. The previous $75 Southwest annual travel credit has been eliminated across the board. These changes, which reflect recent adjustments to Southwest's business model, are currently viewable through referral links, but applications are not yet open. The increased annual fees represent a significant cost increase, but the added benefits such as free checked bags and various seat upgrades might offset the higher cost for frequent Southwest flyers. The enhanced welcome bonuses could also incentivize new customers. Ultimately, the value proposition of each card will depend on individual travel habits and spending patterns. Consumers should carefully weigh the increased fees against the expanded benefits before applying.

(Source: https://dannydealguru.com/chase-refreshing-southwest-cards/)