Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card has the lowest annual fee of Southwest's three personal cards, making it a good fit for occasional Southwest flyers who want useful airline benefits without paying for a higher-tier card. It offers a solid 50,000-point signup bonus, a $99 annual fee, a free checked bag for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers, Group 5 boarding, and standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure. Frequent Southwest flyers may get more value from the higher-tier cards.
For now, the signup bonus can still help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass under the old rules if you're approved by December 2, 2026.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is the entry-level personal Southwest card, offering a solid signup bonus and several useful perks at the lowest annual fee among Southwest cards.
- Earn 50,000 points after spending $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% 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.
Through the end of 2026, the card's signup bonus can still help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass under the old qualification rules if you're approved by December 2, 2026. Beginning in 2027, card spending will instead earn Tier Qualifying Points toward Southwest status and Companion Pass benefits.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be for you if:
- You fly Southwest often enough to get more value from the additional perks on a higher-tier card
- You plan to use the card internationally, since it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee
- You currently hold another personal Southwest card or earned a welcome bonus on one within the past 24 months, making you ineligible for another personal Southwest card
What to Know About Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards is undergoing a major transformation, with even more changes coming in 2027
- Rapid Rewards points remain straightforward to earn and redeem, with relatively consistent value on Southwest flights.
- Southwest partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards, offering additional ways to earn points.
- Reserved seating, checked bag fees, and new fare bundles have eliminated many of the features that once made Southwest unique.
- A major loyalty program overhaul in 2027 will change elite status and Companion Pass qualification, while introducing international partner awards and additional premium benefits.
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, with the personal cards offering progressively stronger perks and higher annual fees. All three personal cards include Group 5 boarding and a free first checked bag, while the signup bonuses, anniversary points, seat benefits, and annual fees increase with each tier.
- Rapid Rewards Plus Card: $99 annual fee, 50,000 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.
Beginning in 2027, spending on all Southwest credit cards will earn 1 Tier Qualifying Point per $1 spent toward Southwest status and Companion Pass benefits, so status earning will no longer be a differentiator between the cards.
For now, signup bonuses can still help you earn the Companion Pass under the old rules if you are approved for the cards by December 2, 2026. If you want to pursue that strategy, you’ll need to pair a personal card with a business card because Chase doesn’t allow you to receive two personal Southwest card bonuses within 24 months under its bonus eligibility rules. The Performance Business Card offers 80,000 points, while the Premier Business Card offers 60,000 points. Read our detailed guide about how to earn the Companion Pass one final time.
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:
