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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review The improved entry-level Southwest card takes flight

Despite the limited perks, this card packs a lot of value for fee-averse Southwest flyers. Written by Credit Card Reviews Writer Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, Nov. 10, 2022 Edited by Credit Cards Editor Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards Reviewed by Former Senior Director of Content Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards. He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, Nov. 10, 2022

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Snapshot

4.6 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon Bottom line This card offers solid entry-level rewards and benefits for frequent flyers, though you’ll probably find more value with a higher-tier Southwest card or general-purpose travel card. on Chase's secure site

Best airline sign-up bonus

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Rewards rate Earn 2X points on Southwest purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Annual fee Intro offer Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Regular APR Recommended Credit Score A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card overview

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is an ideal choice for Southwest flyers looking for an entry-level . Although it comes with fewer perks than Southwest's higher-tier , it also charges a lower annual fee and carries the same solid welcome bonus. And while you'll have to put up a $69 annual fee, the card's annual benefits can easily cover the cost. But frequent Southwest flyers can get better perks with a higher-tier Southwest card or opting for a premium general-purpose that offers a better mix of features and flexibility. Check out our in-depth look at the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card and the best alternatives.

What are the pros and cons

Pros

Comes with anniversary bonus points, which can help cover more than half of the card’s annual fee Offers a number of features found with pricier Southwest cards, including first two checked bags for free, plus two EarlyBird Check-In each year

Cons

Not a good fit for Southwest fans looking for upgraded boardings or a fast track to elite status Doesn’t earn bonus miles in popular everyday spending categories like groceries, gas or dining It carries a 3 percent foreign transaction fee, unlike sibling cards

A deeper look into the current card offer

Quick highlights

Rewards rate: Earn 2X points on Southwest purchases; Southwest hotel and car rental partners; local transit and commuting (including ride-shares); internet, cable, phone and select streaming services; 1X points on all other purchases Welcome offer: Earn up to 75,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases during the first three months Annual fee: $69 Purchase intro APR: N/A Balance transfer intro APR: N/A Regular APR: 18.99 percent to 25.99 percent variable APR

Current welcome offer

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card currently offers up to 75,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within your first three months. That's a 25,000-point boost to the card's previous offer of 50,000 points after a $1,000 spend in your first three months. While this bonus is much more impressive than the card's previous offer, it also carries a higher spending requirement, which may be harder to reach for modest spenders.

Rewards rate

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card earns , which can be spent on Southwest Airlines bookings and products and services through the airline loyalty program. Since these points are largely tied to Southwest Airlines, they're not as flexible or as valuable as those you'd earn with some general travel cards. But the card can still be a valuable asset to loyal Southwest flyers looking for a low-cost airline rewards card.

How you earn

Every dollar you spend on purchases with Southwest Airlines will earn you 2X Rapid Rewards points. Southwest Airlines purchases include Southwest flight reservations, in-flight purchases, gift cards, vacation package purchases and bookings with the airline's rental car and hotel partners. Points will be added to your account within 72 hours after your completed flight. The Rapid Rewards Plus card will also earn 2X points on a variety of more common purchases: local transit and commuting (including ride-shares), internet service, cable service, phone services and select streaming services. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point. If your priority is earning rewards, there are better alternatives. The , for example, charges a $99 annual fee but bumps your rewards rate up to 3X points on Southwest purchases. Or if you're not loyal to Southwest, the could be worth a look. It carries a $99 annual fee (after the $0 intro annual fee for the first year) but offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (1X miles on other purchases). That rate could prove more valuable to flyers who spend more on groceries and dining than transit and other tech-related services covered by the Rapid Rewards Plus card. For even greater flexibility and value, consider the . It comes with one of the most valuable travel rewards programs around, giving you a chance to earn more points on travel and a broad mix of everyday purchases, including flights with all major airlines, dining and online grocery purchases. Lightbulb Bankrate insight The gives you even more chances to earn rewards. Once you register for the program, you can earn up to 3X points at participating restaurants when you pay with your Southwest Rapid Rewards card and an additional 10 points for writing a review within 30 days of visiting the participating restaurant.

How to redeem

Not only can you put your points toward Southwest flights to more than 90 destinations, but you can also use them for other approved products and services via the like gift cards, cruises, car rentals, hotel stays, exclusive events and merchandise. Plus, your rewards don't expire for the life of your account. But there are some restrictions. Points can't be used for special fares such as those for infant, military, government and child passengers. They also can't be used for Southwest amenities like extra bags and carrying on pets. And if you don't have enough points, you can't pay the difference with cash (your entire ticket has to be paid for with points).

How much are the rewards worth

Based on , Rapid Rewards points are worth around 1.5 cents each on average. These points aren't as flexible or as valuable as the points found with rewards programs offered by general travel cards, like or . But compared to a majority of Airlines based in North America, Southwest points are some of the most valuable around. Rewards program Bankrate value* Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles 1.5 cents $750 1.4 cents $700 1.3 cents $650 1.1 cents $550 Rewards program Bankrate value* Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles 1.5 cents $750 1.4 cents $700 Air Canada Aeroplan 1.2 cents $650 1.1 cents $550 1 cents $500 The value of Southwest points can vary based on a number of factors including when you book, demand, and your fare class and destination. To make sure you're getting the most out of your Rapid Rewards points, you'll need to know how to calculate the value of your points at the time of redemption. To do this, divide the cash cost of your booking by the number of points needed. For example, if a Southwest flight from New York to Las Vegas cost $323 or 23,115 points, your points would be worth 1.4 cents ($323 / 23115 = $0.0139 or 1.4 cents). That's pretty close to Bankrate's 1.5-cent-per-point valuation, so it's not a bad deal. But if you wanted to redeem your rewards for a , it would currently cost you $30 or 4,500 points, which drops the value of your points to 0.7 cents ($30 / 4500 = $0.0066). That value is so far off from what you should expect from your Southwest points that you're better off buying a gift card with cash and saving your points for a better deal.

Other cardholder perks

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card lacks a few features you can find with other that cost under $100, like travel credits and upgraded boarding privileges. But it does have a nice set of perks and can provide a lot of value, especially if Southwest is your preferred airline and you're looking for a low-cost way to earn Rapid Rewards points.

Travel perks

You'll receive a lineup of travel benefits including lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per passenger and baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day for three days. Additionally, your first two checked bags fly free (size and weight limits apply), and there are no fees for flight changes. The Rapid Rewards Plus card also provides 25 percent back on eligible in-flight purchases and two EarlyBird Check-In® boarding upgrades each year (an up to $50 value). Although general travel cards, like the flagship , may offer a better benefit portfolio, these make a pretty solid roster considering the top-shelf Southwest card only builds on this list with bonus elite status point opportunities, more boarding upgrades and a yearly travel credit.

Purchase protection

When you use your card to buy items with eligible U.S. manufacturer's warranties of three years or less, you may get your warranty extended for an additional year. Further, purchase protection covers your purchases for up to 120 days against theft or damage, up to $500 per event and up to $50,000 per account.

Anniversary bonus

After your cardmember account anniversary each year, you'll earn 3,000 bonus points, which equates to $45 toward flights based on a 1.5-cent point value. This is a great deal since it nearly accounts for your entire annual fee, but the other two Southwest Rapid Rewards cards make this bonus much more valuable by at least doubling it.

How much are the rewards worth

The value of Southwest points can vary based on a number of factors including the day, fare class, demand, destination and time. However, estimates Rapid Rewards points to carry a 1.5-cent market value. To find out the point cost of your desired flight, log in to Southwest.com and enter your flight details. Fortunately, Rapid Rewards points' value is on the mid-to-slightly higher side of what you'd typically see from some airline reward programs - The Points Guy values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents each and American AAdvantage miles at 1.77 cents, for example.

Rates and fees

This card comes with a $69 annual fee. The APR on purchases and balance transfers ranges from 18.99 percent to 25.99 percent (variable), depending on your creditworthiness, with no zero-interest offers available currently. One major downside of the card for frequent international travelers is that if you use your card overseas, you will have to pay a 3 percent foreign transaction fee. This is a bit surprising since most travel-oriented cards - and the other premium Southwest Rapid Rewards cards - pose . Cash advances come with a higher APR of 27.99 percent variable, along with a fee of either $10 or 5 percent of your transaction amount, whichever is more. Balance transfers also come with a fee of $5 or 5 percent of the transaction amount, whichever is more. Additionally, if you make your payment late or have your payment returned, you can face a fee of up to $40 per instance and possibly get hit with a penalty APR of up to 29.99 percent, which you could be stuck with indefinitely. The good news is there are no fees for returned checks or going over your credit limit.

First-year value vs ongoing value

Although the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card poses a $69 annual fee, its solid rewards potential and additional benefits carry enough recurring value for many travelers to easily recoup the cost. Even if you're limiting your travel at the moment, the sign-up bonus of 75,000 points (after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months) could cover the annual fee multiple times over in your first year based on our points and miles valuations. Even after the first year, your annual credits alone can make up the annual fee. Your 3,000-point anniversary bonus and two complimentary EarlyBird Check-In® boarding upgrades each year can be valued at up to $95. Recouping the $69 fee through rewards spending shouldn't be too hard, either, since you'd only need to spend about $192 per month across your 2X bonus categories if you redeem your points at a 1.5-cent value. Benefits and costs First-year value Ongoing value (no welcome offers) Yearly rewards* +$284 +$284 Welcome offers +around a $1,125 value (75,000 points after spending $3,000 during the first three months, at a 1.5-cent point value) - Perks (of monetary value) +$45 (3,000 account anniversary bonus points at a 1.5-cent value) +$50 (two EarlyBird Check-In® boarding upgrades per year) +$120 (12 months of complementary DoorDash DashPass) +$45 (3,000 account anniversary bonus points at a 1.5-cent value) +$50 (two EarlyBird Check-In® boarding upgrades per year) Annual fee -$69 -$69 Total value $1,555 $310 *Based on our formula used to calculate each card's average rewards rates and average ongoing rewards value using and an assumed $15,900 annual spend.

Bankrate expert experience

Frequent personal finance contributor is a fan of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus-especially the value its Companion Pass perk delivers. If you prefer Southwest Airlines over the competition, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is the perfect tool to begin earning perks with the airline. The annual fee is low, and the value of the benefits is high. The main attraction of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. It's the premier travel pass and the primary reason I love this card as much as I do. - Tim Maxwell, The Southwest Companion Pass is a stellar value because it allows a selected travel companion to fly with you for virtually free (they'll be responsible for the fees and taxes, starting at $5.60 for a one-way flight and $11.20 round-trip) an unlimited number of times until your pass expires. What makes this an even sweeter value is that, when earned, your pass is active for the remainder of the year that you earned it, plus the entirety of the next year. That means if you qualify in January, you'll essentially have a Companion Pass for almost two years (your companion can be changed up to three times per year, for convenience). You can qualify for the Companion Pass by earning 125,000 points from qualifying purchases (135,000 beginning in 2023) or taking 100 qualifying one-way flights. This would normally take spending $62,500 in your 2X categories across one calendar year-about $5,209 per month-but you can earn over 50 percent of the points required just by qualifying for the 75,000-point sign-up bonus (after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months).

How the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus compares to other travel cards

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card offers good value to budget travelers focused on earning Rapid Rewards points. But for even better value, consider a different Southwest card or a general travel rewards card.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon Bankrate Score Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. on Chase's secure site Annual fee Intro offer Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Rewards rate Earn 2X points on Southwest purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Recommended credit A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

on Chase's secure site Annual fee Intro offer Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Rewards rate Earn 3X points on Southwest purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Recommended credit A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

on Chase's secure site Annual fee Intro offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Rewards rate 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3x on dining. 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more. Recommended credit A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The ($99 annual fee) is the next step up in the Southwest lineup of cards, coming in just below the ($149 annual fee). Both of these cards charge higher annual fees than the entry-level Rapid Rewards Plus card, but the Premier and Priority cards offer several advantages and upgraded benefits in return. The Premier card's doubled 6,000-point anniversary bonus more than covers the $30 annual fee increase (worth an extra $45 at a 1.5-cent point value). This and the Premier card's bonus Tier-Qualifying Points (1,500 TQPs per $10,000 spent annually) toward make a valid case for skipping the Rapid Rewards Plus in favor of the Premier. Going one step further, it's also reasonable to go straight for the Rapid Rewards Priority since the value of the 7,500-point anniversary bonus, the $75 annual Southwest travel credit and the four upgraded Southwest boardings per year more than cover its $149 annual fee as well. However, the Priority card is strikingly similar to the Premier outside of these extra benefits, so it'd also be reasonable to pick the Premier if you're not as concerned about those perks.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Although it has a $95 annual fee, the offers excellent rewards on more purchases than travel and dining. And you can either redeem your rewards through the Ultimate Rewards portal for travel at a value of 1.25 cents per point or transfer to a different airline or hotel loyalty program, where it's possible your points could be worth 2 cents with the right high-value transfer partner, based on Bankrate's valuations. Add in an annual hotel night credit and a solid mix of travel protections and you have the makings of one of the best travel cards around.

Best cards to pair with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card limits the rewards you can earn outside of Southwest Airlines and its bonus category purchases. To maximize your spending, consider pairing it with a with higher rewards rates in other categories for everyday spending or a . The , for example, lets you earn 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then it's 1 percent), 6 percent cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3 percent back at U.S. gas stations, 3 percent back on transit and 1 percent back on everything else. But it does carry a $95 annual fee after the $0 intro annual fee for the first year. If you'd prefer a no-annual-fee card that helps you earn more rewards on the widest variety of purchases possible without a spending limit to worry about, the rewards you with unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on purchases. Similarly, a card that earns boosted flat-rate rewards that you can transfer to Southwest Airlines for a potentially higher value could come in handy, such as the .

Bankrate s Take Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card worth it

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is a good option if you fly occasionally and prefer to fly with Southwest. It will help you earn boosted rewards, but if you travel frequently, one of the airline's higher-tier cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card can offer more perks and a slightly better rewards rate on Southwest purchases. But if you like to travel with various airlines in addition to Southwest, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred will offer you more flexibility with better, less Southwest-focused rewards and benefits for the annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

Certainly, you can upgrade your Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus to Southwest’s Premier or Priority card by calling 1-800-792-0001. rather than canceling and applying for a new card is a smart move since you’ll avoid the credit score impact from requesting new credit and closing an active account. It could take up to four business days to process and approve your upgrade request, plus another seven to 12 days to receive your new card in the mail. You also won’t lose any of your rewards by switching cards, but keep in mind that you probably won’t be able to qualify for your new card’s sign-up bonus since you technically aren’t opening a new card (you’ll have the same credit account as before).

How much do I need to spend to earn the 75 000 bonus points for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card

To earn the full 75,000-point intro bonus, you’ll first need to spend $3,000 in your first three months with the Rapid Rewards Plus. This is a solid deal for the spending requirement considering you’d normally need to spend at least $37,500 to earn 75,000 points in a year.

What credit score is required for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card

A good to excellent credit score (a FICO score or 670 or higher, or a VantageScore of 661 or higher) will give you the best approval odds when applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus. The higher your credit score, the better your chances will be.

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card s annual fee worth it

If you gauge the ongoing value breakdown above, you’ll notice that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card’s $69 annual fee is completely offset by the value from the 3,000-point anniversary bonus and two complimentary EarlyBird Check-In boarding upgrades you’ll get each year. It would only take about $206 in purchases per month across all of your 2X bonus category purchases to break even on the annual fee through rewards spending alone, so the annual fee is certainly worth it for frequent Southwest flyers.

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Written by Garrett Yarbrough Credit Card Reviews Writer Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers. Edited by Credit Cards Editor Reviewed by Former Senior Director of Content

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