Learn more about Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card rewards
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus card offers an enticing welcome bonus and options for earning rewards points on all your purchases.
Welcome bonus
Currently, new cardholders can qualify for 50,000 bonus points by spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months. That’s only around $334 per month, which is easy to do if you use your card to cover everyday expenses like groceries, dining or fuel. You could also double up on the rewards by using your card to cover cable, internet and phone services because you get 2x points on spending in those categories on top of the bonus points.
Note that this welcome bonus is only available if you don’t already have a Southwest Rapid Rewards card and haven’t earned a bonus in the past 24 months.
Earn rewards
Below is a Southwest Rapid rewards review of the types of points you can earn and how much you earn in various spending categories:
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Purchases with Southwest Airlines: 2x points per dollar
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Spending with a Rapid Rewards car rental or hotel partner: 2x points per dollar
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Rideshare, commute and local transportation purchases: 2x points per dollar
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Cable, internet and phone services: 2x points per dollar
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Select streaming service subscription fees and purchases: 2x points per dollar
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All other purchases: 1x points per dollar
You can also earn points via Chase’s Refer-A-Friend program. If you are a cardholder in good standing, you can refer friends or others by recommending the Chase Southwest credit cards to them. If they apply and are approved, you get 20,000 Rapid Rewards points. You can earn up to 100,000 Rapid Rewards points each year via this referral program.
Redeem rewards
Southwest makes it fairly easy to redeem Rapid Rewards points. There aren’t blackout dates, and you don’t have to rely on award availability.
Redemption options are based on the cost of the flight, and points are typically valued at around 1.4 cents each or higher. That means 100,000 points will get you $1,400 in airfare, at least.
Flexible redemption options mean you don’t have to redeem rewards for flights, though. Some other ways to use your points include:
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Pay Yourself Back: You can use this option to convert points into a statement credit to cover purchases made on your card.
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Gift cards and merchandise: You can redeem points for eligible gift cards and products.
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Hotel bookings and car rentals: You can use your points via the Chase Travel Center or with partner rewards programs to help cover the cost of hotel stays and car rentals.
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Experiences: You can use Rapid Rewards to gain access to exclusive events or pay for tickets for experiences.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card benefits
The benefits of a Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card extend beyond points you can redeem for travel or other value.
Earn toward Southwest Companion Pass
You can leverage your card rewards points to get a Companion Pass faster. Every point you earn counts toward a Companion Pass, and that includes the welcome bonus. You also get 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying bonus points each calendar year as long as your account is in good standing.
With a Companion Pass, you can have someone fly without you without paying for airfare. You do have to pay mandatory taxes, though.
To earn this pass, you must fly 100 one-way flights or earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards within a calendar year. You have the Companion Pass for the rest of that year. For most people, it’s much easier to meet the rewards threshold — especially with credit card points — than the flight threshold.
EarlyBird Check-In
EarlyBird Check-In is an option that checks you in automatically up to 36 hours before a flight. That’s well before the typical check-in period, and this perk helps you get a better boarding spot. You usually have to pay for the perk, but as a Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus cardholder, you get two free EarlyBird Check-Ins annually.
In-flight discounts
When you use your card to make in-flight purchases, you get 25% back.
Travel insurance
This card may provide coverage such as:
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Travel accident insurance: This coverage helps pay for expenses associated with injuries in covered travel accidents.
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Lost luggage reimbursement: If your luggage is lost, this coverage defrays the costs of replacing your belongings.
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Baggage delay insurance: When your bags are delayed, you may need to purchase some personal essentials. This insurance helps cover costs for those items.
Not every version of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card comes with all these coverages — you need the Visa Signature version of the card to get access to some of these perks.
Car rental insurance
When you pay for the full cost of a car rental with this card, you can waive the collision damage fee at the car rental agency. Your account includes insurance that covers accidental damage to a rental car.
Travel and emergency assistance services
The Visa Signature version of the card lets you access a 24/7 hotline for assistance with travel needs and emergencies.
Anniversary points
As long as your account is in good standing, you get 3,000 anniversary points each year. These points count toward Companion Pass status.
DoorDash DashPass Subscription
You can get a complimentary year of DoorDash’s DashPass as a card member. This offer is good through the end of 2024. After your complimentary subscription is over, your card is automatically charged for service unless you cancel it.
Extended warranty and purchase protection
When you purchase products with this card, you can get an extra year of coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty expires on qualifying items. You also get purchase protection for up to 120 days on qualifying products. This protection covers your losses in the event of theft or accidental damage. It’s limited to $500 per claim or $50,000 total per account.
Fees, rates & limit
When comparing credit cards to decide which one you might apply for, always read the fine print to understand the costs of holding the card.
Fees
This card comes with an annual fee of $69. The anniversary bonus of 3,000 Rapid Rewards points plus the two EarlyBird Check-Ins you get each year have a value that’s slightly over that amount, so card members who fly with Southwest regularly can easily balance the annual fee with rewards.
Here are some other fees you might want to consider:
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Balance transfer fees: $5 or 5% of the transferred amount, whichever is greater
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Cash advance fees: $10 or 5% of the transaction amount, whichever is greater
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Foreign transaction fees: 3% of the transaction amount
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Late payment fees: Up to $40
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Returned payment fees: Up to $40
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Over limit fees: None
Interest rates
Understanding the Southwest Airlines credit card interest rate helps you know how much your debt might cost if you carry a balance forward each month. The interest rates vary depending on your creditworthiness and the balance type.
Here’s a quick guide to possible rates with this card:
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Regular purchase APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable
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Balance transfer APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable
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Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable
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Introductory APR: There is currently no introductory offer on this card
Credit limit
How much you’re approved for depends on factors such as your credit score, your income and how much debt you currently carry. Reports from cardholders note a minimum credit limit of $2,000 and a maximum credit limit of $30,000 or more.
How the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card compares
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is an entry-level rewards credit card for travel, and as such, it compares favorably to other options on the market.
The annual fee is quite reasonable, especially when compared to the value of the rewards and perks. It’s easy to earn and redeem rewards, and the APR is decent enough.
However, your needs might be better met by another card, including other Southwest-branded options.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers a better reward structure and a few more travel perks.
Here are the main differences:
- You earn 6,000 anniversary points instead of 3,000.
- You earn 3x points on Southwest purchases rather than 2x.
- For every $5,000 you spend, you get 1,500 tier-qualifying points.
- The Premier card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees.
- The Premier annual fee is $99.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers even better rewards than either the Premier or Plus cards.
Some major differences include:
- You get 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- You earn 3x points on Southwest purchases.
- While you don’t get EarlyBird Check-Ins, you do get four Upgraded Boards each year.
- You get a $75 annual travel credit against Southwest purchases.
- For every $5,000 you spend, you get 1,500 tier-qualifying points.
- The Priority Check card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees.
- The annual fee is $149.
While the annual fee on this card is higher than both the Premier and Plus cards, it’s more than covered by the value of the perks for anyone who flies regularly with Southwest. This card may be a better option for frequent Southwest flyers who also travel internationally sometimes.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
How does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card stack up against a non-Southwest card?
Here are some ways the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card differs from it to give you an idea:
- The Sapphire Preferred card offers 75,000 bonus points, but you have to spend $4,000 in the first three months. That’s a harder welcome bonus to earn.
- You get a $50 hotel credit each year and $200 in partnership benefit value with the Sapphire Preferred card.
- You earn 5x points on hotel and rental car bookings through Chase, 2x points on other travel purchases and 3x points on dining with the Sapphire Preferred card.
- The annual fee on the Sapphire Preferred card is $95.
The Sapphire Preferred card may be a better option if you don’t fly frequently with Southwest, as you can still earn decent points on travel expenses and dining.
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card right for me?
If you fly regularly with Southwest, the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus card can be a good financial tool. The main takeaway from this Southwest Airlines credit card review is that this is a good entry-level Southwest-branded travel rewards card.
If you want more flexibility with your airline options, a general travel rewards card may be a better fit.
Here are some cards to consider:
For business-related travel, you may find that a business credit card better suits your needs.
How do I apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card?
You can learn more about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card and apply online. The application requires information such as your full name, address, contact information, income and Social Security number. A credit check is required, and the credit score needed for Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card approval is typically around 700 or higher. You might be approved for a card if you have a score in the upper 600s and your credit history and income are favorable.
