Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review: F...

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) has the bottom annual charge of any Southwest Airways bank card in the marketplace, which is both a power or a weak point, relying on the way you have a look at it. Whereas the $99 annual charge is reasonably priced, the Southwest Plus card lacks the perks provided by its higher-priced counterparts to maintain you previous the preliminary welcome bonus. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐

* Card rating is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

In a interest that feels dominated by ultrapremium credit cards with $550-plus annual charges and laundry lists of luxurious perks, it is exhausting to think about {that a} cobranded airline credit card with a $99 annual charge is perhaps helpful to loyal Southwest Airways prospects.

Nevertheless, the Southwest Plus card does make sense for some flyers, in some instances.

This card, together with the opposite 4 cobranded Southwest playing cards, was lately refreshed. The Southwest Plus card refresh included expanded day-of-travel advantages and up to date bonus class earnings. Along with these adjustments, there was an approximate 44% annual charge improve to $99.

It is also essential to notice that Southwest is in the midst of sweeping adjustments, together with to its boarding process, bag fees and seat assignments.

We usually suggest that candidates have a credit score of 670 or above to extend their possibilities of approval.

Let’s take a look at how the Southwest Plus card and its perks measure up in opposition to its higher-end siblings.

Associated: How to choose an airline credit card

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Associated: Credit cards 101: The beginners guide

New Southwest Plus cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 5 months from account opening.

In response to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the 100,000 factors included on this welcome supply are value $1,400. That is the best factors welcome offer we’ve seen on this card with out a Companion Cross.

In case you have somebody who commonly travels with you, chances are you’ll need to await a proposal that features the Companion Cross, as it could possibly add considerably extra worth for you.

Take note you could have the possibility to earn the welcome bonus and a Companion Cross (relying on how a lot you spend) since you would be 114,000* factors nearer to the 135,000 factors wanted to earn a Companion Cross.

*This complete is predicated on the 100,000 factors you’d earn from the welcome bonus, plus the extra 4,000 factors you’d obtain from the spending requirement and the enhance of 10,000 Companion Cross-qualifying factors you’d additionally earn.

Earlier than you rush to use for this card, there are two utility guidelines to recollect. First, the Southwest Plus card is topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. For those who’ve opened 5 or extra new bank card accounts (from any financial institution, not simply Chase) up to now 24 months, you probably will not be permitted for this card.

One other limitation applies specifically to Southwest credit cards. In case you have any private Southwest credit card — or earned a welcome bonus on a private Southwest card within the final 24 months — you will not be eligible for the bonus on this card.

Associated: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

The Southwest Plus card presents perks past the welcome bonus. It is essential to notice that present cardholders will obtain all their present advantages till Dec. 31.

You will get pleasure from the next ongoing advantages in alternate for the cardboard’s $99 annual charge:

• Free checked bag: Obtain the primary checked bag for cardholders and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation.
• Customary seat choice: Cardholders obtain complimentary normal seat choice inside 48 hours of departure for you and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation. Provided that seat choice now comes with a cost, this perk will be extraordinarily helpful relying on how ceaselessly you fly Southwest.
• Two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins: Obtain two complimentary EarlyBird Examine-Ins (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31). Given these check-ins can cost as much as $99 every, utilizing only one may probably cowl the cardboard’s annual charge in 2025.
• Priority boarding: Cardholders obtain Group 5 precedence (for 2026 and past) for themselves and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation. In case you have A-Checklist standing, it is possible for you to to board with an earlier group.
• Anniversary bonus: Cardholders obtain 3,000 bonus factors every account anniversary 12 months, value $42 in response to TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
• Increase of 10,000 Companion Cross-qualifying factors yearly: Cardholders obtain a ten,000-point enhance towards a Companion Cross every year.
• 25% inflight financial savings: Cardholders obtain 25% again (as a press release credit score) after utilizing their card to buy inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.
• Flight low cost code: Cardholders obtain one promotional 10% flight low cost code every anniversary 12 months (excluding Primary fares).

Southwest Plus cardholders will obtain the next buy and journey protections:

With the Southwest Plus card, you may earn:

• New: 2 factors per greenback spent at gasoline stations and grocery shops, on the primary $5,000 in mixed purchases per 12 months (a 2.8% return, primarily based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations)
• 2 factors per greenback spent on Southwest purchases (2.8% return)
• 2 factors per greenback spent on Fast Rewards lodge and rental automotive companions (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting, together with ride-hailing providers (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 factors per greenback spent on web, cable and telephone providers; 2 factors per greenback spent on choose streaming providers (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases (1.4% return)

It is essential to notice that present cardholders will obtain the present and new incomes charges till Dec. 31.

This card now has no foreign transaction fees, so it is a good possibility for making purchases overseas.

These are first rate incomes charges for a cobranded airline card, however the incomes charge on Southwest purchases is decrease than that of the opposite private Southwest playing cards. In case your most important motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you may most likely need to go together with a kind of as a substitute.

Associated: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Redeem the Fast Rewards factors you earn on the Southwest Plus card for Southwest flights to get the perfect worth from them.

Fast Rewards additionally presents different redemption choices, together with reward playing cards, merchandise, lodge stays, rental vehicles and journey experiences. Nevertheless, the redemption values on these choices are a lot decrease than what you may get when utilizing your factors for Southwest flights.

Award pricing is tied to the money value of the tickets. So, the variety of factors you want will go up or down relying on the money value of the flight. The constructive is that utilizing your factors for Southwest flights is sort of at all times doable.

TPG Senior Director of Content material Summer Hull redeemed 11,000 Fast Rewards factors to journey from Houston all the best way to Lihue in Hawaii. Securing redemptions like these could make your factors go even additional.

Associated: How to redeem points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program

The Southwest Plus card’s most blatant opponents are the opposite Southwest bank cards. Nevertheless, it is also value contemplating whether or not a common journey bank card would possibly match higher in your pockets.

• If you’d like extra Southwest advantages with a modest charge: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card has stable perks to justify its $99 annual charge. These embody 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird Examine-Ins per 12 months (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% again on inflight purchases and tier qualifying factors towards A-Checklist standing. To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Southwest Premier card.
• For those who fly Southwest commonly and wish essentially the most perks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) is essentially the most premium private Southwest bank card and has a $229 annual charge. It presents perks like 7,500 anniversary bonus factors and an annual $75 Southwest journey credit score (ends Dec. 31). To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Southwest Priority card.
• If you’d like extra factors that can be utilized with Southwest and in different methods: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is an efficient alternative for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to redeem with Southwest and different airline and lodge companions. You will additionally get quite a few journey protections, and the cardboard has a $95 annual charge. To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

The knowledge for the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

For extra choices, take a look at our full record of the best travel credit cards and best Chase credit cards.

Associated: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards

The Southwest Plus card has the bottom annual charge of the Southwest bank cards at $99, so it is a good possibility for these retaining annual charge prices low or simply making an attempt out Southwest. Nevertheless, in the event you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of many different two private playing cards will symbolize higher worth.

For under $99 per 12 months, the Southwest Plus card permits you to earn sufficient factors to make it properly definitely worth the annual charge. Plus, it comes with a handful of advantages, like normal seat choice inside 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag, that may justify retaining the cardboard in your pockets yearly.

Nevertheless, in the event you fly with Southwest usually, one of many different two Southwest playing cards will present further perks. Make sure you consider what’s greatest for you past merely trying on the annual charge.

Apply right here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card