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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus review: Earn points and in-flight discounts for a low annual fee

Updated 5 min read

If you “LUV” flying on Southwest but don’t want to pay a high annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards? Plus credit card is for you.

This card offers generous benefits, like an anniversary bonus, two EarlyBird Check-ins, and in-flight discounts, without breaking the bank. It also offers the same welcome bonus as higher-priced Southwest credit cards, so you’re not missing out on a more lucrative bonus offer.

Learn more about the Southwest Plus Card, including its bonus, earning power, and fees.

  • Annual fee
    $69
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Airline
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 2x on Southwest purchases
    • 2x on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
    • 2x on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
    • 2x on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming
    • 1x on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
    • 2 EarlyBird Check-In each year

More details: 25% discount on in-flight purchases, 10,000 annual bonus points toward a Companion Pass, and travel and purchase protections.

When you have the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card, there are multiple ways to earn points, including spending, renewing the card, and referring others to apply.

When you spend $1,000 within three months of opening your account, you’ll receive 50,000 bonus points. These points count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass.

Each year on your cardmember anniversary, get a bonus of 3,000 points.

Refer your friends and family to earn up to 100,000 bonus points per year. You’ll receive 20,000 bonus points for every person who uses your referral link and gets approved. They can apply for any Southwest personal credit card.

Rapid Rewards members have numerous options when redeeming Southwest points, but booking flights typically offers the best value.

  • Booking flights. You can use Southwest points to book any flight as long as there’s a seat available. There are no blackout dates, and prices are based on the type of fare purchased.

  • Rapid Rewards Access Events. Get tickets to exclusive events by redeeming points. Curated events include wine tastings, destination getaways, and more.

  • Pay Yourself Back. Use points for statement credits to offset eligible purchases made within the previous 90 days.

Other redemption options include booking hotels, buying gift cards, shopping for merchandise, and signing up for experiences such as cruises or spa packages.

In addition to earning points, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus includes additional benefits that make the card worthwhile for Southwest travelers.

  • EarlyBird Check-ins. Cardholders receive reimbursement for two EarlyBird Check-ins charged to their card each year. EarlyBird Check-in provides a better boarding position by checking you into your flight 36 hours before departure. It typically costs $15 to $25 per passenger for each direction of their flight.

  • Companion Pass boost. Get 10,000 qualifying points toward Companion Pass each year to make it easier to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.

  • 25% back on in-flight purchases. When you pay for in-flight drinks or WiFi with your Southwest credit card, you’ll receive a statement credit of 25% of the purchase amount.

  • Complimentary DoorDash DashPass. Activate this benefit by Dec. 31, 2024, to receive a complimentary DashPass membership for 12 months. Membership includes discounts and waived fees on eligible DoorDash and Caviar orders.

  • Travel protections. When using your card to book flights, you’ll receive complimentary lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance. Lost luggage benefits cover up to $3,000 per passenger when your bag is lost or damaged. Baggage delay includes up to $100 per day for three days when your bags are delayed by six hours or more.

  • Purchase protections. Eligible purchases on your Southwest Plus Card receive purchase protection and an extended warranty. Purchase protection covers you up to $500 when your items are damaged or stolen within 120 days of the purchase date. Extended warranty protection provides an extra year on top of eligible manufacturer warranties.

The Southwest Rapid Reward Plus credit card is best for travelers who want to earn Southwest points without committing to a high annual fee. It’s a good starter card for Southwest travelers because it includes appealing benefits and the lowest annual fee of any Southwest credit card.

This card provides unlimited 2x points on bonus categories and an anniversary bonus. Plus, it has the same welcome bonus opportunity as the other (more expensive) Southwest cards. Cardholders also get two EarlyBird Check-ins per year, discounts on in-flight drink and WiFi purchases.

  • 3,000 anniversary points when you renew your card

  • Includes reimbursement for two EarlyBird Check-ins per year

  • Welcome bonus, anniversary points, and spending rewards count toward Companion Pass

  • Complimentary travel and purchase protections

  • Does not earn A-List qualifying points

  • Charges foreign transaction fees of 3%

  • Southwest has limited international destinations

  • Fixed redemption program doesn’t allow for premium travel experiences

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card is a Visa card, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. Visa is one of the most widely accepted credit cards in the U.S. and abroad, so you should be able to use it at nearly any merchant that accepts credit cards.

If you’re traveling internationally, you can use your Southwest Plus Card to make purchases. However, it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. Consider leaving this card at home and bringing a card that waives foreign transaction fees when traveling outside the U.S.

  • Online at Chase.com or on its mobile app (Apple, Google)

  • In-person at a Chase branch or ATM

  • Over the phone at (800) 436-7958

  • Mail your payment to:
    Cardmember Services
    P.O. Box 6294
    Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294

  • Western Union payments using the code city WALNUT

Customer service is available 24/7 at (800) 432-3117. You can also log into your Chase account or review the Chase FAQ page.

The Southwest Plus credit card is a solid choice for travelers who want to earn Rapid Rewards points on travel and everyday purchases. However, it isn’t the best travel credit card for everyone. Before applying, consider these alternatives to find the best card for your situation.

  • Annual fee
    $149
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Airline
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 3x on Southwest purchases
    • 2x on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
    • 2x on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
    • 2x on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming
    • 1x on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
    • $75 Southwest travel credit each year

Why we like it: For frequent Southwest travelers, upgrading to the Southwest Priority Card could be an excellent choice. While it has an annual fee, it includes a Southwest travel credit and bonus points each year. It earns 50% more points than the Plus Card on Southwest purchases, and it includes four Upgraded Boardings per year. The Priority Card also waives foreign transaction fees and earns unlimited A-List points, which are features that the Plus Card doesn’t offer.

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (that's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel?)
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
    • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
    • 2x points on all other travel purchases
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel
    • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
    • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

Why we like it: Travelers who want to be “free agents” when choosing their flights should consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more. When redeeming points for travel through Chase, points are worth 25% more. Plus, points transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners on a 1:1 basis, including Southwest.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also includes more robust travel protections and an annual credit toward hotel bookings through Chase Travel.

  • Annual fee
    $0 Intro for First Year, then $95.
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Airline
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.99% - 28.99% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Good, Excellent
  • Rewards rate
    • 2x miles on dining, hotel stays, and United purchases
    • 1x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
    • Free first checked bag
    • 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks

Why we like it: While Southwest is a popular domestic airline, it doesn’t offer business or first-class seating and has limited international destinations to choose from. If you want a premium travel experience or plan to fly outside North or Central America, earning airline miles on the United Explorer Card could be a better choice.

This card includes priority boarding and the first checked bag free on United flights, plus you’ll get reimbursed for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees once every four years. Cardholders also get two United Club one-time passes each year, Premier upgrades on award tickets, and a 25% discount on in-flight food, drinks, and WiFi purchases.

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