Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If your main goal is earning the Southwest Companion Pass and you don’t plan to keep a Southwest card long term, the Plus card is the cheapest entry point into the ecosystem. It offers a strong 50,000 (current special 80,000) point signup bonus and the lowest $99 annual fee of the three personal cards. You’ll still receive meaningful perks like a free checked bag for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers, Group 5 boarding, and the ability to select a standard seat within 48 hours of departure. Frequent Southwest flyers, though, may find the added perks and credits on the higher-tier cards worth the extra annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is the entry-level personal Southwest card, offering a strong signup bonus and several useful perks at the lowest annual fee in the Southwest lineup.
- Earn 50,000 (current special 80,000) points after spending $1,000 (currently $1,000) in the first 3 months
- Receive 3,000 anniversary points each year
- Select a standard seat within 48 hours of departure when available
- First checked bag free for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation
- Group 5 boarding for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers
- Receive a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost annually
- Receive a 10% promo code each year on your cardmember anniversary (excluding basic fares)
- 25% back on inflight purchases
You’ll also earn 2x points on Southwest purchases, hotel and rental car partners, and internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services. If your goal is earning the Southwest Companion Pass, elevated welcome offers typically appear toward the end of the year. Timing your applications correctly and earning the pass near the beginning of a calendar year can allow you to hold the Companion Pass for nearly two full years.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be for you if:
- You fly Southwest often and want more premium perks
- You plan to travel internationally. This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee
- You’ve opened another personal Southwest card in the last 24 months and are ineligible for another bonus
What to Know About Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest airlines carries the most passengers in North America.
- Their points are among the easiest to earn, plus they have solid value.
- They’re partnered with Chase Ultimate Rewards, our favorite point partner ecosystem.
- Southwest moved to reserved seating and now charges for bags, two features that once made them unique.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards aren’t the most glamorous, but they’re the utility points that just work.
How The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Fits In The Southwest Rapid Rewards Ecosystem
There are three personal Southwest cards and two business cards, giving you multiple paths to earn the Companion Pass. Each personal card offers a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost each year, Group 5 boarding, and a free first checked bag, but the signup bonuses, perks, and annual fees increase with each tier.
- Rapid Rewards Plus Card: $99 annual fee, 50,000 (current special 80,000) point welcome offer, 3,000 anniversary points, a 10% promo code each year, and standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available.
- Rapid Rewards Premier Card: $149 annual fee, 55,000 point signup bonus, 6,000 anniversary points, a 15% promo code each year, and standard or preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available.
- Rapid Rewards Priority Card: $229 annual fee, 60,000 point bonus, 7,500 anniversary points, preferred seat selection at booking when available, and Extra Legroom Seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure when available.
The Premier card also earns 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent, while the Priority card earns 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent.
If you want to earn the Companion Pass primarily through signup bonuses, you’ll need to pair a personal card with a business card. Chase doesn’t allow you to receive two personal Southwest card bonuses within 24 months because of its bonus eligibility rules. The Performance Business Card is the stronger business option with its 80,000 point bonus, while the Premier Business Card offers 60,000 points.
My Experience, No Filter
I picked the Plus card because I wanted to earn the Companion Pass without committing to a high annual fee. I don’t fly Southwest every month, but the value of the points, the flexibility to cancel or change flights, and the no-hassle reward bookings make it easy to get real savings.
I’ve used points to book flights for friends visiting from out of town, and the EarlyBird Check-Ins helped avoid some of the stress during peak travel weekends. While I don’t see this card as a long-term hold, it served its purpose.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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Historical Card Offers
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Application Rules
You're not eligible for a new card bonus if you have received a bonus from a personal Southwest card within the last 24 months
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
