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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Rates and Fees

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Annual Fee: $69

Bonus Miles
Bonus Points
$400 statement credit + 40k
Recommended Credit
670 - 850
Current Offer

Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.

✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER

Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.

Summary

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers who want to enjoy the benefits of Southwest Airlines' frequent flyer program. With this card, you can earn Rapid Rewards points on your everyday spending, and the generous welcome offer can jumpstart your journey towards free flights and other travel perks. Cardholders appreciate the annual bonus points received on their card anniversary, enhancing the card's long-term value. While it has a lower annual fee compared to some other travel cards, it still offers no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for international travel. With access to exclusive offers and travel-related benefits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a valuable tool for those who frequently fly with Southwest and want to maximize their rewards and travel experience.

Earning Rewards

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Southwest purchases

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming

[.redeem] 1x [.redeem] per $1 on all other purchases

Additional Benefits

  • Receive 3,000 points every year on your cardmember anniversary
  • Get 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year
  • Receive 25% back on inflight purchases
  • Get 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year
  • Bags fly free
  • No change fees, and unlimited reward seats with no blackout dates

Foreign Transaction Fee

  • 3% of transaction amount in USD

Also consider

🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers various travel benefits, including opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on purchases, an annual travel credit, and elevated loyalty status benefits, making it a top choice for those who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

CURRENT OFFER
ELEVATED OFFER

$400 statement credit + 40k

Bonus Points

Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.

✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
REWARDS RATE
1-2x Points
ANNUAL FEE
$69
Our Score
88
Annual fee (20%)
8
Welcome Offer (20%)
6
Point Redemption Value (20%)
7
Rewards Rates (15%)
8
Benefits (15%)
10
Travel Protections (10%)
6
Our Mission
Our Methodology

My Take

If you're a casual Southwest flyer who loves a good deal, the Southwest Plus Rapid Rewards Credit Card is perfect for you. With its low annual fee, it's an affordable way to earn Rapid Rewards points and build toward that coveted Companion Pass. You’ll snag 2x points on Southwest purchases, dining, and even streaming services, so it’s easy to earn points even when you're not flying. The anniversary bonus alone almost offsets the fee, and the in-flight discounts make it even sweeter. For budget-conscious travelers looking for solid perks and flexibility, this card delivers.

Comparable Cards

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Annual Fee: $149

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
OUR SCORE
84

United℠ Explorer Card

$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
60,000
Bonus Miles
OUR SCORE
84

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
50,000
Bonus Miles
OUR SCORE
82
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

[.pro] Access to Southwest network [.pro]

[.pro] Offers a solid welcome offer to quickly boost your Rapid Rewards points [.pro]

[.pro] Companion Pass opportunity, letting a travel buddy fly with you for just taxes and fees [.pro]

[.pro] Earn points on every purchase, with higher rewards on Southwest flights and partner bookings [.pro]

[.pro] Get bonus points each year on your card anniversary [.pro]

Cons

[.con] Limited airline and hotel transfer partners, so points are mainly useful for Southwest flights [.con]

[.con] Foreign transaction fees make it less appealing for international purchases [.con]

[.con] Lower earning rates on everyday spending categories compared to other travel cards [.con]

Rewards Summary

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Southwest purchases

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare

[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming

[.redeem] 1x [.redeem] per $1 on all other purchases

Additional Benefits

  • Receive 3,000 points every year on your cardmember anniversary
  • Get 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year
  • Receive 25% back on inflight purchases
  • Get 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year
  • Bags fly free
  • No change fees, and unlimited reward seats with no blackout dates

Customer Reviews & Redemptions

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The reviews above are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Customer reviews have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. 

How to make the most of your

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

[.dontreco] We don’t recommend:  Redeeming points for non-flight rewards [.dontreco] 

While you can use your Rapid Rewards points for things like gift cards, the value per point is significantly lower compared to booking flights. Save your points for flights to get the best value and enjoy those free trips.

[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend:  Booking directly through Southwest’s website [.sometimesreco]

Booking directly on the Southwest Airlines website often unlocks promotional offers and ensures you earn points on your fare. Just keep an eye on blackout dates and availability, as value can fluctuate depending on travel dates.

[.alwaysreco] We always recommend:  Utilizing the Companion Pass [.alwaysreco]

The Companion Pass is a game changer, letting a friend or family member fly with you for just the cost of taxes. This benefit makes the card especially valuable for frequent travelers. Additionally, make sure to take advantage of the card's points-earning potential when booking flights to maximize your rewards.

Don’t forget to stack: You earn 2x points on Southwest flights, plus bonus points for any Rapid Rewards promotions or deals. When you stack these rewards with your card spending, you'll rack up points quickly for future flights.

Transfer Partners

PROGRAM NAME
TRANSFER RATIO
No items found.

Our Favorite Redemptions

We love the Southwest Companion Pass around here. Like a lot! If you play your cards right, you could snag the Companion Pass and enjoy unlimited BOGO flights anytime you're hanging with Southwest. Check out this video where Brendan dives into what the Companion Pass entails, how it can save you a bundle, and why now is the perfect moment to chase it with some incredible welcome offers on Southwest credit cards!

Offer History

OFFER DATES
OFFER DETAILS
Current Offer since
Nov 2024
through
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Oct 2024
through
Nov 2024
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Sep 2024
through
Oct 2024
Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Jun 2024
through
Jun 2024
Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Jun 2024
through
Sep 2024
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Mar 2024
through
Jun 2024
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Feb 2024
through
Mar 2024
Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Current Offer since
Dec 2023
through
Feb 2024
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Current Offer since
Oct 2023
through
Dec 2023
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening.

The Best Complementary Cards

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The pairing of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card and the Ink Business Unlimited Card is particularly beneficial for business travelers. With the Ink Business Unlimited, you earn flat cash back on all purchases, which can be converted to Southwest points for future flights. This means you can rack up rewards on everyday business expenses like office supplies and travel costs. Plus, the Ink Business Unlimited offers business perks such as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Together, these cards create a streamlined rewards strategy that helps you earn and redeem points while reaping the benefits for your business.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Combining the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred is smart strategy for those playing the miles and points game. With the Sapphire Preferred, you earn points on every purchase, which can be transferred to Southwest for added flexibility in how you redeem your rewards. The Sapphire Preferred also comes with valuable travel benefits, including trip cancellation insurance and no foreign transaction fees. This combination allows you to earn points quickly while enjoying travel protections, making it an ideal pairing for frequent flyers looking to optimize their rewards.

Who Should Get The

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

?

1. The Airline Rewards Beginner

Are you new to the world of airline rewards? The Southwest Plus Card is a super choice for those just getting started. With a modest annual fee, this card provides an easy way to earn points toward free flights on Southwest Airlines. Plus, you'll earn a nice bonus on your cardholder anniversary. If you're ready to make the leap from cash-back cards to earning free flights, the Southwest Plus Card should have a home in your wallet.

2. The Occasional Southwest Flyer

If you find yourself flying with Southwest a couple of times a year, this card is a valuable option. With its generous earning potential on Southwest purchases you can quickly accumulate points that can lead to free flights and other rewards. For example, let’s say you book a round trip for a weekend getaway. By using your Southwest card to pay for that flight, you'll earn even more points, contributing to future trips.

3. The Budget-Conscious Traveler

Let’s be honest—not everyone can travel frequently, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your travel budget when you do. If you’re someone who takes a few trips a year and wants to stretch your dollars further, the Southwest Plus Card is worth considering. The Southwest Plus Card makes it simple to turn your everyday spending into solid rewards.

Who Should Not Get The

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

?

You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 670, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Southwest Plus Card, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any special promotions for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card?

Yes! The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card frequently has promotional offers, such as bonus points for sign-ups or additional points for specific spending categories. It’s worth checking the Southwest website or your cardholder communications to stay updated on current promotions.

How can I keep track of my points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card?

You can easily keep track of your points through the Southwest Airlines website or mobile app. Just log in to your Rapid Rewards account to view your points balance, transaction history, and any promotions you can take advantage of.

Can I upgrade from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card to a different Southwest card later?

Yes, you can always upgrade from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card to a different Southwest card if you find you want more benefits or points earning potential. Just reach out to customer service, and they’ll guide you through the process.

Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card have foreign transaction fees?

Nope! The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can use it abroad without worrying about extra charges.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Content Specialist

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor 

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