What the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards card does
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit card is a co-branded card issued by Chase that earns points on every purchase you make. Those points convert directly into Southwest airline tickets, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits. Unlike some airline cards that require you to reach a spending threshold before earning rewards, this card starts earning from your first transaction.
The card comes in two versions: the Plus and the Premier. Both earn the same points per dollar spent, but the Premier version includes a higher annual fee and additional perks like priority boarding and anniversary bonus points. The choice between them depends on how much you fly and whether those extra benefits justify the cost difference.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns points on every purchase, with bonus points for the first three months if you meet a spending threshold, and those points never expire as long as your account stays open.
- You can redeem points for Southwest flights with no blackout dates, meaning you can book any available seat that Southwest sells to the public.
- The card includes a free checked bag benefit for you and one companion on all Southwest flights, which alone can save you $70 to $140 per round trip.
- The annual fee varies by card version, so you should calculate whether the perks and points you earn will offset that cost based on your actual travel patterns.
- Points earned through the card combine with points from Southwest flights you purchase, so frequent flyers accumulate rewards faster than occasional travelers.
How points convert to flights and what they're worth
Southwest prices flights in points rather than miles, and the number of points required depends on the route and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 6,000 to 8,000 points, while a cross-country flight could run 15,000 to 25,000 points. The exact price fluctuates based on demand, similar to how cash fares work.
You redeem points directly through the Southwest website or app by searching for flights and selecting "points" as your payment method instead of a credit card. There are no blackout dates, meaning you can book any flight that Southwest has available for cash purchase. This is different from some airline programs that restrict point redemptions on certain dates or routes.
The value you get from each point depends on the flight you book. A point used on a $200 flight is worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents, while a point on a $400 flight is worth more. Strategic booking — choosing longer flights or premium travel times — can stretch your points further.
Earning points through spending and sign-up bonuses
The card earns a fixed rate on all purchases: typically 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. This means a $500 grocery bill earns 500 points, and a $500 Southwest flight purchase earns 1,000 points.
New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus if they spend a certain amount within the first three months. This bonus is usually substantial — often worth a free flight or more — but you only receive it if you meet the spending requirement. The specific bonus amount and spending threshold change periodically, so check the current offer before explore.
Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and never expire as long as your credit card account remains open and active. If you close the card, your points stay in your account, but you lose the ability to earn new points through the card.
The free checked bag benefit and other perks
The most tangible benefit of this card is the free checked bag. You and one companion get to check one bag for free on every Southwest flight, regardless of how you book or pay. Since Southwest charges $35 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second on most routes, this benefit alone can save you $70 to $140 per round trip if you travel with luggage.
The Premier version adds priority boarding, which means you board earlier and have better seat selection. It also includes an anniversary bonus of points each year you keep the card open, which can offset part of the annual fee if you use it.
Both versions include purchase protections like fraud liability coverage and extended warranty on items you buy with the card. These are standard credit card protections rather than travel-specific benefits.
Annual fees and when the card makes financial sense
The Plus version has an annual fee, and the Premier version has a higher annual fee. Neither is waived in the first year, so you pay the fee when ready upon approval. The question is whether the benefits you'll actually use justify that cost.
If you take at least one round trip per year with checked luggage, the free bag benefit alone covers the annual fee. If you also earn enough points through spending to redeem a flight every year or two, the card pays for itself. But if you rarely fly Southwest or never check bags, the annual fee becomes a net cost with no offsetting benefit.
Calculate your own situation: estimate how many Southwest flights you'll take in a year, multiply by the value of the free checked bag benefit, add the value of points you expect to earn through spending, and compare that total to the annual fee.
How this card compares to other airline cards
Other airline cards work similarly — they earn points or miles on spending and offer perks like free checked bags or seat upgrades. The main difference is the airline: a United card earns United miles, an American card earns American miles, and so on. Points and miles are not interchangeable between airlines.
Southwest's advantage is the free checked bag benefit, which applies to you and a companion on every flight. Most other airlines limit free bags to the cardholder only. Southwest also has no blackout dates on point redemptions, while some competitors restrict when you can book with miles.
The disadvantage is that Southwest serves fewer destinations than larger carriers, so the card is most useful if Southwest flies the routes you actually need. If you primarily fly on other airlines, a different airline card would earn rewards on the flights you actually take.
What happens if you close the card or stop using it
If you close the card, you lose the ability to earn new points through the card, but your existing points remain in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account indefinitely. You can still redeem those points for flights as long as your account is active.
You also lose the free checked bag benefit once the card is closed. Any future Southwest flights you book will be subject to standard baggage fees unless you have another way to earn that benefit (such as elite status with Southwest).
If you keep the card open but stop using it, you still pay the annual fee each year. The card does not have an inactivity fee, but the annual fee itself is a cost you'll incur whether you use the card or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points on airlines other than Southwest?
No. Southwest Rapid Rewards points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and Southwest gift cards. They cannot be transferred to other airline programs or used on partner airlines. If you want flexibility to book multiple airlines, you would need a different rewards card.
Do I have to be a Southwest frequent flyer to get this card?
No. You can open the card without any prior relationship with Southwest. Your points will be deposited into a new Southwest Rapid Rewards account created when you explore. If you already have a frequent flyer account, you can link the card to it so points combine with any you've already earned.
What if I don't spend enough to earn a free flight in a year?
You still accumulate points, and they carry over to the next year. You can combine points from multiple years to redeem a single flight, or use them toward seat upgrades or gift cards. There's no minimum redemption amount, though very small redemptions may not be practical.
Does the free checked bag explore if someone else buys my ticket?
Yes. The benefit is tied to the cardholder and one companion, not to who paid for the ticket. As long as you or your companion are traveling on the flight, you get the free checked bag regardless of who purchased the ticket or how they paid for it.
Can I earn points on my credit card bill payment?
No. Payments to the credit card company itself do not earn points. Only purchases of goods and services earn rewards. This is standard across nearly all rewards cards.