Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card overview
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) has the lowest annual fee of any Southwest Airlines credit card on the market, which is either a strength or a weakness, depending on how you look at it. While the $99 annual fee is affordable, the Southwest Plus card lacks the perks offered by its higher-priced counterparts to keep you interested past the initial welcome bonus. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
In a hobby that feels dominated by ultrapremium credit cards with $550-plus annual fees and laundry lists of luxury perks, it’s hard to imagine that a cobranded airline credit card with a $99 annual fee might be valuable to loyal Southwest Airlines customers.
However, the Southwest Plus card does make sense for some flyers, in some cases.
This card, along with the other four cobranded Southwest cards, was refreshed over the summer. The Southwest Plus card refresh included expanded day-of-travel benefits and updated bonus category earnings. In addition to these changes, the annual fee increased by approximately 44% to $99.
It’s also important to note that Southwest is in the middle of sweeping changes, including to its bag fees, boarding process and seat assignments.
We typically recommend that applicants have a credit score of 670 or above to increase their chances of approval.
Let’s look at how the Southwest Plus card and its perks measure up against its higher-end siblings.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card pros and cons
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card welcome offer
New Southwest Plus cardholders can earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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According to TPG’s October 2025 valuations, the 85,000 points included in this welcome offer are worth $1,190.
This isn’t the highest offer we’ve seen in the card’s history, but the points haul is elevated enough to meet our criteria for when to apply.
However, before you rush to apply for this card, there are two application rules to remember. First, the Southwest Plus card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more new credit card accounts (from any bank, not just Chase) in the past 24 months, you likely won’t be approved for this card.
Another limitation applies specifically to Southwest credit cards. If you have any personal Southwest credit card — or earned a welcome bonus on a personal Southwest card in the last 24 months — you won’t be eligible for the bonus on this card.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card benefits
The Southwest Plus card offers perks beyond its welcome bonus. It’s important to note that current cardholders will receive all their current benefits until Dec. 31.
You’ll enjoy the following ongoing benefits in exchange for the card’s $99 annual fee:
- Anniversary bonus: Cardholders receive 3,000 bonus points each account anniversary year, worth $42, according to TPG’s valuations.
- Boost of 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points annually: Cardholders receive a 10,000-point boost toward a Companion Pass each year.
- Flight discount code: Cardholders receive one promotional 10% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares).
- Free checked bag: Cardholders and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation can receive their first checked bag free.
- Priority boarding: Cardholders receive Group 5 priority (for 2026 and beyond) for themselves and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. If you have A-List status, you will be able to board with an earlier group.
- Standard seat selection: Cardholders receive complimentary standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure for themselves and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. Given that seat selection now comes with a charge, this perk can be extremely valuable depending on how frequently you fly Southwest.
- Two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins: Receive two complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins (for flights operating in 2025; ends Dec. 31).
- 25% inflight savings: Cardholders receive 25% back (as a statement credit) after using their card to purchase inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.
Southwest Plus cardholders will receive the following purchase and travel protections:
Related: How an often overlooked credit card benefit put $1,400 back in my wallet
Earning points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
With the Southwest Plus card, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent (a 2.8% return, per TPG’s valuations) in the following categories:
- New: Gas stations and grocery stores (on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per year)
- Internet, cable and phone services and select streaming services (ends Dec. 31)
- Local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing services (ends Dec. 31)
- Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners (ends Dec. 31)
- Southwest purchases
Plus, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (1.4% return)
It’s important to note that current cardholders will receive the current and new earning rates until Dec. 31.
This card now has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s a good option for making purchases abroad.
These are decent earning rates for a cobranded airline card, but the earning rate on Southwest purchases is lower than that of the other personal Southwest cards.
If your main motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus points on your Southwest purchases, you’ll probably want to go with one of those instead.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Redeeming points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Redeem the Rapid Rewards points you earn on the Southwest Plus card for Southwest flights to get the best value from them.
Rapid Rewards also offers other redemption options, including gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, rental cars and travel experiences. However, the redemption values on these options are much lower than what you’ll get when using your points for Southwest flights.
Award pricing is tied to the cash price of the tickets. So, the number of points you need will go up or down depending on the cash price of the flight. The positive is that using your points for Southwest flights is almost always possible.
TPG senior director of content Summer Hull redeemed 11,000 Rapid Rewards points to travel from Houston all the way to Lihue in Hawaii. Securing redemptions like these can make your points go even further.
Related: How to redeem points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program
Which cards compete with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?
The Southwest Plus card’s most obvious competitors are the other Southwest credit cards. However, it’s also worth considering whether a general travel credit card might fit better in your wallet.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For more options, check out our full list of the best travel credit cards and best Chase credit cards.
Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card worth it?
The Southwest Plus card has the lowest annual fee of the Southwest credit cards at $99, so it’s a good option for those keeping annual fee costs low or just trying out Southwest. However, if you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of its other two personal cards will represent better value.
Bottom line
For only $99 per year, the Southwest Plus card allows you to earn enough points to make it well worth the annual fee. Plus, it comes with a handful of benefits, like standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag, that can justify keeping the card in your wallet every year.
However, if you fly with Southwest often, one of the other two Southwest cards will provide additional perks. Be sure to evaluate what’s best for you beyond simply looking at the annual fee.
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
