Chase Southwest Cards Increase Annual Fees & Revamp Card Benefits

Chase has increased the annual fees on their Southwest card line. The bank has revamped the benefits on these cards.

I believe all of the changes are already in effect for new card applicants, and are slated to go into effect in 2026 for existing cardholders.

Contents

Annual Fee Change

The following benefits are going away in 2026:

Benefits added on all cards:

First checked bag free. Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost. (Since Southwest no longer offers free checked bags for everyone, they added it as a benefit for cardholders.)
No foreign transaction fees on all 3 cards. (That’s a new benefit on the Plus card.)
Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
Seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure when available. For the Plus card it’s for a Standard seat. For the Premier and Priority and for both business cards it’s for Standard or Preferred seat.

Plus personal card:

2X at Gas stations and Grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per year
Flight Discount (excludes Basic fare): 10% promo code each year

Premier personal and business cards:

15% Flight Discount: Receive a 15% promo code each year on your cardmember anniversary (Excludes Basic fare).
Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.
Flight Discount (excludes Basic fare): 15% promo code each year

personal Priority and business Performance cards:

Preferred Seat selection at booking when available
Upgrade to Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure when available
Earn 2X at Gas stations and at Restaurants
Earn 2,500 tier qualifying points towards A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually