If you frequently fly Southwest Airlines and want to earn travel rewards without paying a premium annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card could be worth a closer look.
Issued by Chase, this entry-level airline card is designed for travelers who want to earn Rapid Rewards points on everyday purchases while receiving Southwest-specific travel perks. Compared to higher-tier Southwest cards, the Plus version offers a lower annual fee while still including valuable benefits that can easily offset the cost for regular travelers.
Currently, new cardmembers can earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Key Features of the Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card comes with several benefits aimed at making travel more affordable and convenient.
Some of the most notable perks include:
- 50,000-point welcome bonus
- 3,000 anniversary bonus points each year
- First checked bag free
- No foreign transaction fees
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- Group 5 boarding benefits
- Standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure
- Points that count toward Companion Pass qualification
The card currently carries a $99 annual fee.
Earn Points on Everyday Spending
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card rewards you for both travel and everyday purchases.
Cardholders earn:
- 2X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
- 2X points at gas stations and grocery stores on eligible spending limits
- 1X point on all other purchases
For travelers who already use Southwest regularly, these rewards can add up quickly, especially when paired with flight purchases and promotional offers.
Free Checked Bags Can Add Real Value
One of the card’s biggest selling points is the free checked bag benefit.
Southwest cardholders — along with up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation — can receive their first checked bag free. Considering airline baggage fees continue to rise across the industry, this perk alone can save frequent travelers hundreds of dollars per year.
If you typically check luggage when flying, the annual savings could potentially outweigh the card’s yearly fee.
Companion Pass Benefits
Many Southwest loyalists pursue the airline’s famous Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for only taxes and fees on eligible flights.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card can help you move closer to earning that benefit because qualifying points earned through the card count toward Companion Pass requirements. Cardholders also receive an annual boost of Companion Pass qualifying points.
For frequent Southwest travelers, this can significantly accelerate progress toward one of the airline’s most valuable perks.
How It Compares to Higher-Tier Southwest Cards
The Southwest Plus card is the most affordable personal Southwest credit card, but it does include fewer premium benefits compared to the Premier and Priority versions.
Higher-tier cards may offer:
- Preferred seating options
- Extra legroom access
- Higher anniversary point bonuses
- Greater Southwest earning rates
- Additional travel credits
However, those cards also come with higher annual fees. Travelers who only fly Southwest occasionally may find the Plus card provides the best balance between affordability and rewards.
Who Should Consider This Card?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card may be a good fit if you:
- Frequently fly Southwest Airlines
- Want travel perks without a high annual fee
- Regularly check luggage when flying
- Are working toward Companion Pass status
- Prefer a simple airline rewards structure
On the other hand, travelers seeking luxury perks like airport lounge access or premium seat upgrades may prefer a more advanced travel card.
Final Thoughts
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers a practical entry point into Southwest’s rewards ecosystem. While it may not include every premium travel perk available on higher-end airline cards, it still delivers strong value for loyal Southwest customers.
Between the welcome bonus, free checked bags, anniversary points, and Companion Pass earning potential, the card can make sense for travelers who fly Southwest often enough to take advantage of its ongoing benefits.
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