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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is the most affordable of the three personal Southwest cards. It’s a great option if you're focused on earning the Companion Pass without committing to a long-term annual fee.

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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 card long-term, the Plus card is your lowest-cost entry point. It offers the same 50,000-point sign-up bonus as the other two personal cards, but with a lower $69 annual fee. You’ll also get two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year (a $70 value), which essentially covers the cost of the card. However, if you fly Southwest frequently or value-added perks like upgraded boardings and travel credits, one of the higher-tier cards might be a better fit.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card gives you a low-cost way to unlock solid rewards. It’s the most budget-friendly of the three personal Southwest cards, yet it still includes a strong sign-up bonus and a few helpful perks.

Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
Receive 3,000-anniversary points each year
Get 2 EarlyBird Check-In credits annually, a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost, DashPass membership, and 25% back on in-flight purchases

You’ll also earn 2x points on Southwest purchases, hotel and car rental partners, and internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

This card might not be for you if:

You fly Southwest often and want more premium perks like upgraded boardings or a travel credit
You plan to travel internationally—it 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’s boarding is polarizing (though it is updating to reserved seating in early 2026)
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 shares the same 50,000-point sign-up bonus, but the perks and annual fees scale up with each tier.

- The Plus card has a $69 annual fee and offers 3,000-anniversary points, 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins, and a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost
- The Premier card costs $99 per year and increases the anniversary points to 6,000
- The Priority card, at $149 per year, gives you 7,500-anniversary points, 4 upgraded boardings (A1–A15), and a $75 annual Southwest credit

Both the Premier and Priority cards also allow you to earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent toward A-List status. Beyond these differences, all three cards offer the same sign-up bonus and general structure.

If you want to earn the Companion Pass primarily through sign-up 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. The Performance Business card is your best 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

Bonus Points	Minimum Spend	Point Value	Annual Value	Annual Fee	1st Year Value
50,000	$1,000	1.3 ¢	$0	$69	$594

Best Value	Differentiating Perks	Rules
US & Caribbean Flights	3000 bonus points annually	SW Pers 1/24 , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6

AWARD SYSTEM

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