Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card: Affordable Travel Benefits Explored

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card stands out as the most affordable option among Southwest Airlines’ credit cards, with an annual fee of just $99. While this modest fee can be appealing, it also comes with fewer perks compared to its more premium counterparts. For those who are loyal to Southwest Airlines, this card may still offer significant value, depending on your travel habits and preferences.

Recently, the Southwest Plus card underwent a refresh that included enhancements to day-of-travel benefits and updated earning categories, although the annual fee increased by approximately 44%. It’s worth noting that Southwest is also implementing substantial changes to its boarding process, baggage fees, and seat assignments, which could affect cardholders’ experiences.

Before applying, it’s advisable to have a credit score of 670 or higher to boost your chances of approval. Let’s delve into the features and benefits of the Southwest Plus card to see how it compares to its higher-end siblings.

New cardholders can earn an impressive welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first five months of account opening. According to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, these points are valued at around $1,400, making this the highest welcome offer available for this card without including a Companion Pass. If you frequently travel with a companion, you might consider waiting for an offer that includes the Companion Pass, which can add substantial value to your travels.

If you manage to earn the welcome bonus along with the Companion Pass-qualifying points, you could be just 114,000 points away from the 135,000 required for the Companion Pass. This includes the 100,000 points from the welcome offer, plus an additional 4,000 points from meeting the spending requirement, and the 10,000 points that qualify for the Companion Pass.

However, before you rush to apply, keep in mind two important application rules. First, the Southwest Plus card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you have opened five or more new credit card accounts in the past 24 months, your application may be denied. Additionally, if you currently hold or have earned a welcome bonus on any personal Southwest credit card within the last 24 months, you will not be eligible for the bonus on this card.

Beyond the welcome bonus, the Southwest Plus card offers ongoing benefits that can enhance your travel experience. Current cardholders will retain their existing benefits until December 31, and the card provides various purchase and travel protections.

With the Southwest Plus card, you can earn:

– 2 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases
– 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services
– 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

One of the advantages of this card is that it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a suitable option for international travelers. However, the earning rate on Southwest purchases is lower than that of other personal Southwest cards, so if your primary goal is to accumulate points for Southwest flights, you may want to consider those alternatives.

To get the best value from your Rapid Rewards points, it’s recommended to redeem them for Southwest flights. While Rapid Rewards also offers options for gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, and rental cars, the redemption values for these alternatives are generally lower than what you would receive when booking flights with your points. Award pricing is linked to the cash price of tickets, meaning the number of points needed can fluctuate based on ticket prices. The good news is that you’ll almost always find availability for booking flights with points.

For instance, TPG Senior Director of Content Summer Hull successfully redeemed 11,000 Rapid Rewards points for a trip from Houston to Lihue, Hawaii. Such redemptions can significantly stretch the value of your points.

While the Southwest Plus card competes primarily with other Southwest credit cards, it’s also worth considering whether a general travel credit card might better suit your needs.

The Southwest Plus card is an excellent choice for those who want to keep annual fees low or are just beginning to explore Southwest Airlines. However, if you frequently fly with Southwest, one of the other two personal cards may provide greater value due to their additional perks.

For an annual fee of just $99, the Southwest Plus card allows you to earn enough points to justify the cost, while also offering benefits like standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag. These features can make it a worthwhile addition to your travel wallet.

Ultimately, if you are a loyal Southwest flyer, evaluating the benefits of the other personal cards against the Southwest Plus card is essential to determine which option best meets your travel needs.

For more information on travel credit cards, check out our comprehensive list of the best travel credit cards and the best Chase credit cards.

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