Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $69
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Rewards: 2X on Southwest purchases, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 50,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Best For: Occasional Southwest flyers who want low-cost access to Rapid Rewards points
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is the most affordable entry point into the Southwest Rapid Rewards program via a Chase co-branded card. At just $69 per year, it earns 2X points on Southwest purchases and 1X on everything else, with a 50,000-point welcome bonus that is worth approximately two to three one-way domestic Southwest flights.

Southwest's unique value proposition makes any Rapid Rewards card compelling: no change fees, no cancellation fees, bags fly free (up to two checked bags per passenger), and points never expire as long as the account has earning or redemption activity within 24 months. The Plus card contributes 3,000 anniversary points each year, partially offsetting the annual fee.

For travelers who fly Southwest a few times per year but do not want to pay for the Premier or Priority card, the Plus card offers a practical way to accumulate Rapid Rewards points. Its points also count toward the Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly free on all your Southwest flights for a calendar year. While the earning rates are basic, the combination of Southwest's customer-friendly policies and the generous welcome bonus make this card a solid value at its price point.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is no penalty APR, but a late payment fee may apply.

Benefits Overview

Southwest Perks

• 2 free checked bags per passenger on all Southwest flights (airline policy)
• No change or cancellation fees on Southwest flights
• 3,000 anniversary bonus points each card renewal year
• Points count toward earning the Companion Pass
• A-List status tier qualifying points from card spending

Earning Structure

• 2X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 1X point on all other purchases
• No caps on point earning
• Points can be combined with other Rapid Rewards earning

Cardholder Protections

• No foreign transaction fees
• Zero liability on unauthorized purchases
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Points do not expire with qualifying account activity

Rewards & Points

• 2X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 1X point on all other purchases

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth approximately 1.4-1.6 cents each when redeemed for Southwest flights. Points can also be transferred to hotel partners or redeemed for gift cards, though flight redemptions offer the best value. Card spending counts toward the Companion Pass threshold of 135,000 points in a calendar year.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 50,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. At average Southwest valuations, 50,000 points are worth approximately $700-$800, enough for two to three one-way domestic flights on Southwest Airlines.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $69
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Occasional Southwest flyers who take a few Southwest trips per year and want to earn points at low cost
• Companion Pass chasers who want card-earned points to count toward the 135,000-point threshold
• Budget travelers who want the lowest annual fee Southwest card with bags-fly-free benefits
• Simple earners who prefer a straightforward earning structure without category complexity

Not Good For

• Frequent Southwest flyers who would benefit more from the Premier or Priority card's higher earning and perks
• Category spenders who want bonus rates on dining, gas, or grocery purchases
• Non-Southwest flyers who rarely fly Southwest and would not use the airline-specific benefits

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Low $69 annual fee is the most affordable Southwest card option
• 50,000-point welcome bonus is generous relative to the $1,000 spending requirement
• 2 free checked bags per passenger on every Southwest flight (airline policy)
• No change or cancellation fees on Southwest flights (airline policy)
• 3,000 anniversary points partially offset the annual fee each year
• Points count toward earning the valuable Companion Pass
• No foreign transaction fees
• Points never expire with qualifying account activity
• Southwest's open seating and no-frills approach keeps flights affordable

Cons

• Only 1X on non-Southwest purchases is a low base earning rate
• No bonus categories for dining, gas, or groceries
• 3,000 anniversary points are the lowest among Southwest cards
• No travel credits or statement credits beyond anniversary points
• No airport lounge access or priority boarding beyond standard Southwest policy
• Southwest does not fly internationally to most destinations
• Limited redemption options outside of Southwest flights
• No trip delay or cancellation insurance

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Total estimated first-year value: $1,395 including the welcome bonus (valued at $750 at 1.5 cents per point). Bag savings assume 4 round trips for 1 passenger checking 2 bags at $35 each way. Ongoing value after year one is approximately $645.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly Southwest a few times per year and want an affordable way to earn points
• You are working toward the Companion Pass and need card-earned points to count
• You value Southwest's bags-fly-free and no-change-fee policies
• You want a low annual fee Southwest card to start accumulating Rapid Rewards
• You prefer simple earning without tracking bonus categories

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly Southwest frequently and would benefit from the Premier or Priority perks
• You want bonus earning on dining, gas, or grocery categories
• You rarely fly Southwest and prefer a flexible travel or cash back card
• You want travel credits or lounge access with your card
• You want an anniversary bonus larger than 3,000 points

Apply Now

Apply for Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.