Can You Have Two Southwest Credit Cards?

Yes, you can have two Southwest credit cards, and it can be a smart strategy if you’re aiming to earn the Companion Pass faster or maximize your points with multiple sign-up bonuses. Whether you already have one card or you’re planning to add another, there are important rules to navigate, like Chase’s 5/24 policy and the limits on earning bonuses.

Yes, you can have two Southwest credit cards, but there are important rules to consider. Southwest offers five co-branded cards — three personal and two business. Chase, the issuer of all Southwest cards, allows you to hold both personal and business versions. However, applying for multiple cards isn’t as simple as it sounds. Chase’s 5/24 rule and limits on earning bonuses make timing and strategy critical.

Many people look to get multiple Southwest cards to take advantage of sign-up bonuses, which can help them rack up Rapid Rewards points faster. This can lead to more free flights and speed up their path to earning the Companion Pass (a benefit that allows you to bring a companion on your flights for nearly free, only paying taxes and fees).

Be sure to understand the rules and plan your applications carefully to maximize your benefits.

Yes, you can have two Southwest credit cards, but Chase’s 5/24 rule is a crucial factor to consider. This rule restricts how many new credit card accounts you can open if you’ve opened five or more cards from any issuer in the last 24 months. It’s not based on hard inquiries but rather on the number of new credit card accounts that show up on your credit report. If you’ve reached that five-card limit, Chase is unlikely to approve your application for a new personal card, including Southwest cards.

However, there’s good news for those wanting both personal and business Southwest cards. Chase business cards don’t count toward the 5/24 limit, so you can still apply for a Southwest business card (there are two co-branded options) even if you’ve reached the 5/24 limit with personal cards. While this rule isn’t officially published by Chase, it’s well-documented and widely recognized by the credit card community.

Southwest credit cards come with generous intro bonuses. Southwest personal cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offer Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months.

However, if you’ve earned a sign-up bonus on any Southwest personal card in the past 24 months, you won’t qualify for another bonus on a new personal card during that time. That’s why it generally doesn’t make sense to get two Southwest personal cards. However, this rule doesn’t apply to business cards. This means you can apply for a Southwest business card if you qualify, allowing you to earn bonuses on both a personal and business card.

If you’re set on having two Southwest credit cards, there are a few ways to work around these restrictions:

• Mixing Personal and Business Cards: Since business cards don’t count toward your 5/24 tally, applying for a Southwest business card alongside a personal one is a great way to maximize your rewards. This strategy is especially helpful if you’re working toward the Companion Pass, as it allows you to accumulate points faster without being limited by the 5/24 rule.
• Family or Partner Applications: A smart strategy for couples is to take turns applying for Southwest credit cards to take advantage of the large sign-up bonuses, which can provide a big boost toward earning the Companion Pass. One spouse can apply for a card, earn the bonus points by meeting the spending requirement and qualify for the Companion Pass. Once the pass expires, the other spouse can apply for their own Southwest card and repeat the process. This way, you both maximize rewards and extend the benefits of the Companion Pass by leveraging the sign-up bonuses.

There are currently five Southwest credit cards available—three personal and two business cards. Each offers a unique combination of benefits, rewards and annual fees, so it's important to choose the one (or two) that best fits your spending habits and travel goals.

You can hold multiple Southwest credit cards, including both personal and business versions, but applying for all of them at once isn’t practical due to Chase’s 5/24 rule. Typically, the best approach is to apply for one personal and one business card to maximize rewards without hitting approval limits. By spacing out applications and considering your bonus eligibility, you can make the most of your Southwest cards.

If you're considering holding two Southwest credit cards, these common questions can help clarify the rules and maximize your benefits.