Southwest credit cards offer rewards on flights, free checked bags, and anniversary bonuses

Southwest Airlines credit cards come in two main versions—the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card—each with different annual fees and reward structures. Both cards earn points on every purchase, give you a free checked bag on Southwest flights, and provide a one-time anniversary bonus after your first year. The main difference is the annual fee: the Premier Card costs $69 per year, while the Plus Card costs $99 per year. The higher fee on the Plus Card comes with a higher sign-up bonus and slightly better earning rates on certain purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • Both Southwest cards earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases and bonus points on Southwest flights and dining.
  • You get one free checked bag on every Southwest flight you take as the cardholder, which saves money on most trips.
  • The Premier Card has a $69 annual fee and the Plus Card has a $99 annual fee, but both include an anniversary bonus after your first year.
  • Points never expire as long as your account stays open, and you can transfer points to a companion or use them to book flights, hotels, or car rentals.
  • The cards include trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling.

Earning rates and sign-up bonuses

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card earns 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The Plus Card earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and dining, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Both cards offer a sign-up bonus—typically 40,000 to 60,000 points depending on the current promotion—when you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first three months. The exact bonus amount changes throughout the year, so the offer you see depends on when you look.

Points are worth roughly 1 cent each when you redeem them for flights, though the value can be higher or lower depending on the route and how far in advance you book. You can also use points to book hotels, rental cars, or activities through the Southwest website, or transfer them to a travel companion's account.

Free checked bag and companion pass benefits

The most valuable benefit for frequent Southwest flyers is the free first checked bag on every flight. This saves $35 to $40 per round trip compared to paying the standard checked bag fee. The benefit applies to you as the cardholder on any Southwest flight, regardless of which ticket you hold or how you paid for it.

If you earn 110,000 points in a calendar year—either through spending or sign-up bonuses—you unlock a Companion Pass, which lets one person fly free with you for a full year. The Companion Pass covers the base fare only, so your companion still pays taxes and fees (usually $5 to $15 per flight). This benefit resets on January 1 each year, so the timing of when you earn the points matters if you want to maximize the pass duration.

Anniversary bonus and ongoing rewards

After your first year as a cardholder, you receive an anniversary bonus of 6,000 points (Premier Card) or 10,000 points (Plus Card) just for keeping the account open. This bonus arrives automatically around your card anniversary date and does not require you to spend any amount. For many cardholders, this anniversary bonus roughly covers the annual fee, making the card's net cost much lower than the stated fee.

Points earned through the card never expire as long as your account remains active. You can accumulate points over time and use them for a single large redemption or spread them across multiple trips. If you close the account, any remaining points are forfeited, so keeping the card open even in months you do not use it preserves your balance.

Travel protections and insurance coverage

Both Southwest cards include trip delay reimbursement, which covers meals and lodging if your Southwest flight is delayed more than 6 hours. The coverage is up to $200 per person and $500 per trip. You also get baggage delay insurance that reimburses essential items if your checked bag is delayed more than 12 hours.

The cards provide emergency medical and dental coverage while you are traveling more than 100 miles from home, up to $250 for dental and $500 for medical. This covers unexpected treatment only, not routine care. You also get lost luggage reimbursement up to $2,500 per person if your baggage is lost or damaged on a Southwest flight.

Earning bonus points on dining and shopping

The Plus Card earns 2 points per dollar at restaurants and when you shop at participating merchants through the Southwest shopping portal. The Premier Card earns 1 point per dollar on dining. If you use the shopping portal to make online purchases at retailers like Amazon, Target, or Best Buy, you earn bonus points on top of any points you earn from your credit card issuer.

Both cards earn 3 points per dollar when you book hotels, rental cars, or activities through the Southwest website. This stacks with any points you earn from the hotel or rental company itself, so you can accumulate rewards from multiple sources on a single trip.

How points and benefits compare to other airline cards

Southwest cards are most valuable if you fly Southwest regularly or live in a city where Southwest has strong service. The free checked bag benefit alone saves money on most trips, and the points never expire, which is different from some other airline programs that impose expiration dates. However, if you fly other airlines more often, a general travel rewards card or a card from another airline may offer better value.

The Companion Pass is unique to Southwest and has no equivalent on other airline cards. If you can earn 110,000 points in a year through sign-up bonuses and spending, the Companion Pass can be worth $1,000 or more depending on how many flights you take with your companion. For cardholders who do not reach that threshold, the free checked bag and points earning are the primary benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?

Yes, the annual fee renews each year on your card anniversary. You can close the account before the anniversary date to avoid paying the fee again, but you will lose any remaining points. Many cardholders keep the card open because the anniversary bonus roughly offsets the annual fee.

Can I use my free checked bag if someone else buys my ticket?

Yes, the free checked bag benefit is tied to you as the cardholder, not to how you paid for the ticket. As long as you are traveling on a Southwest flight and have the card with you, you get one free checked bag regardless of who purchased your ticket.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Any points in your account are forfeited when you close the card. Your points are tied to your Rapid Rewards account, not the card itself, so you can keep the account open without using the card to preserve your points balance.

How long does it take to earn a Companion Pass?

It depends on your spending and sign-up bonus. If you earn a 60,000-point sign-up bonus and spend enough to earn 50,000 more points during the year, you would reach 110,000 points and unlock the pass. The timeline varies based on how much you spend and which bonus offer you receive.

Can I use points to book flights for other people?

Yes, you can transfer points to another person's Rapid Rewards account or book a flight for someone else using your points. You can also use points to purchase a gift card that someone else can redeem for flights.