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Annual Fee: $69
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers who want to enjoy the benefits of Southwest Airlines' frequent flyer program. With this card, you can earn Rapid Rewards points on your everyday spending, and the generous welcome offer can jumpstart your journey towards free flights and other travel perks. Cardholders appreciate the annual bonus points received on their card anniversary, enhancing the card's long-term value. While it has a lower annual fee compared to some other travel cards, it still offers no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for international travel. With access to exclusive offers and travel-related benefits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a valuable tool for those who frequently fly with Southwest and want to maximize their rewards and travel experience.
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Southwest purchases
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem] per $1 on all other purchases
🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists
🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists
Annual Fee: $149
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
If you're a casual Southwest flyer who loves a good deal, the Southwest Plus Rapid Rewards Credit Card is perfect for you. With its low annual fee, it's an affordable way to earn Rapid Rewards points and build toward that coveted Companion Pass. You’ll snag 2x points on Southwest purchases, dining, and even streaming services, so it’s easy to earn points even when you're not flying. The anniversary bonus alone almost offsets the fee, and the in-flight discounts make it even sweeter. For budget-conscious travelers looking for solid perks and flexibility, this card delivers.
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
[.pro] Access to Southwest network [.pro]
[.pro] Offers a solid welcome offer to quickly boost your Rapid Rewards points [.pro]
[.pro] Companion Pass opportunity, letting a travel buddy fly with you for just taxes and fees [.pro]
[.pro] Earn points on every purchase, with higher rewards on Southwest flights and partner bookings [.pro]
[.pro] Get bonus points each year on your card anniversary [.pro]
[.con] Limited airline and hotel transfer partners, so points are mainly useful for Southwest flights [.con]
[.con] Foreign transaction fees make it less appealing for international purchases [.con]
[.con] Lower earning rates on everyday spending categories compared to other travel cards [.con]
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Southwest purchases
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem] per $1 on all other purchases
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Redeeming points for non-flight rewards [.dontreco]
While you can use your Rapid Rewards points for things like gift cards, the value per point is significantly lower compared to booking flights. Save your points for flights to get the best value and enjoy those free trips.
[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Booking directly through Southwest’s website [.sometimesreco]
Booking directly on the Southwest Airlines website often unlocks promotional offers and ensures you earn points on your fare. Just keep an eye on blackout dates and availability, as value can fluctuate depending on travel dates.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Utilizing the Companion Pass [.alwaysreco]
The Companion Pass is a game changer, letting a friend or family member fly with you for just the cost of taxes. This benefit makes the card especially valuable for frequent travelers. Additionally, make sure to take advantage of the card's points-earning potential when booking flights to maximize your rewards.
Don’t forget to stack: You earn 2x points on Southwest flights, plus bonus points for any Rapid Rewards promotions or deals. When you stack these rewards with your card spending, you'll rack up points quickly for future flights.
The pairing of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card and the Ink Business Unlimited Card is particularly beneficial for business travelers. With the Ink Business Unlimited, you earn flat cash back on all purchases, which can be converted to Southwest points for future flights. This means you can rack up rewards on everyday business expenses like office supplies and travel costs. Plus, the Ink Business Unlimited offers business perks such as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Together, these cards create a streamlined rewards strategy that helps you earn and redeem points while reaping the benefits for your business.
Combining the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred is smart strategy for those playing the miles and points game. With the Sapphire Preferred, you earn points on every purchase, which can be transferred to Southwest for added flexibility in how you redeem your rewards. The Sapphire Preferred also comes with valuable travel benefits, including trip cancellation insurance and no foreign transaction fees. This combination allows you to earn points quickly while enjoying travel protections, making it an ideal pairing for frequent flyers looking to optimize their rewards.
1. The Airline Rewards Beginner
Are you new to the world of airline rewards? The Southwest Plus Card is a super choice for those just getting started. With a modest annual fee, this card provides an easy way to earn points toward free flights on Southwest Airlines. Plus, you'll earn a nice bonus on your cardholder anniversary. If you're ready to make the leap from cash-back cards to earning free flights, the Southwest Plus Card should have a home in your wallet.
2. The Occasional Southwest Flyer
If you find yourself flying with Southwest a couple of times a year, this card is a valuable option. With its generous earning potential on Southwest purchases you can quickly accumulate points that can lead to free flights and other rewards. For example, let’s say you book a round trip for a weekend getaway. By using your Southwest card to pay for that flight, you'll earn even more points, contributing to future trips.
3. The Budget-Conscious Traveler
Let’s be honest—not everyone can travel frequently, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your travel budget when you do. If you’re someone who takes a few trips a year and wants to stretch your dollars further, the Southwest Plus Card is worth considering. The Southwest Plus Card makes it simple to turn your everyday spending into solid rewards.
You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 670, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Southwest Plus Card, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
A decent credit score of 670-850 is recommended for the Southwest Plus Card. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, use the reconsideration line, and be granted the Southwest Plus Card. The worst they can say is “no,” and more often than not, we’ve found these people want to help!
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