Chase’s ‘One Southwest Card’ Rule, Explained

With a new rule from Chase, it's now much harder to earn multiple bonuses on Southwest consumer cards.

On April 5, 2018, Chase implemented a new rule that limits most cardholders to just one Southwest consumer card and sets new restrictions on bonuses. This rule affects:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest business cards and employee cards aren't affected.

The new policy puts the kibosh on folks trying to rack up multiple Southwest sign-up bonuses on consumer cards in a short period of time. It's especially noteworthy because it makes it harder to qualify for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, which allows you to fly with a traveling partner for free for a time (aside from taxes and fees), just by racking up multiple Southwest bonuses.

This isn't the first time Chase has cracked down on folks chasing multiple bonuses. It applied a similar policy to its Sapphire cards last year. Previously, it implemented the 5/24 rule on many of its cards, which makes it harder to qualify for certain Chase cards if you've recently applied for several other cards.

Here’s what the “One Southwest card” rule means for you.

If you recently closed a Southwest consumer card: You may have to wait

With this new policy, you can't qualify for another Southwest consumer card if you've earned a bonus from one of these cards in the past 24 months. This restriction applies even if you've closed the account through which you earned the bonus.

If you currently have a Southwest consumer card: You can’t get another

If you got the Southwest credit card years ago, the siren song of today’s big bonuses on the consumer cards might make you want to apply again. But with this new rule, you won't get approved while you still have your old account open.

If you have a Southwest business card: You’re not affected