What Southwest credit cards offer right now
Southwest Airlines offers two main credit cards through Chase: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. Both cards earn points on every purchase, with bonus points during the first few months if you spend a certain amount. The main difference is the annual fee — the Premier Card costs $69 per year, while the Plus Card costs $99 per year. Neither card is free, so the question is whether the rewards and perks justify what you pay.
Both cards come with a Rapid Rewards points system where you earn points on purchases and can redeem them for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, or other travel expenses. The earning rate is typically 1 point per dollar spent on most purchases, with higher rates on Southwest purchases and certain categories like dining or hotels. The cards also include a free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and one companion on Southwest flights, which can save you $35 to $70 per round trip depending on the route.
The sign-up bonus is where the real value sits for most people. Chase periodically changes these offers, so the exact bonus points available today may differ from what you see in a few months. You typically earn the bonus by spending a set amount within the first three months of opening the card. This bonus alone can cover several flights if you meet the spending requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest credit cards charge an annual fee ($69 or $99), so you need to use the card regularly enough to get value back through points and perks.
- The free checked bag benefit for you and one companion can save $35 to $70 per round trip, which adds up quickly if you fly Southwest multiple times per year.
- Sign-up bonuses vary by month and require you to spend a specific amount within the first three months to earn the bonus points.
- Both cards earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases, with bonus earning rates on Southwest flights, dining, and hotels depending on which card you choose.
How the free checked bag benefit works
The free checked bag is one of the most concrete benefits of a Southwest credit card. When you hold either card, you and one companion get a free first checked bag on every Southwest flight. This benefit applies as long as the card is open and you use it to purchase the ticket or check in with the card number.
Southwest normally charges $35 for the first checked bag on most routes, and $45 on some longer flights. If you fly Southwest twice per year, the free bag benefit alone covers most or all of the annual fee. If you fly four times per year, you are saving $140 to $180 annually just on checked bags, which makes the annual fee feel small by comparison.
The companion benefit is limited to one person per trip, so if you travel with a family of four, only you and one other person get the free bag. The other two would still pay the standard checked bag fee. The benefit also does not extend to checked bags beyond the first one — if you need to check two bags, only the first is free.
Earning and redeeming Rapid Rewards points
Every purchase on the card earns Rapid Rewards points, which you can redeem for Southwest flights. The base earning rate is 1 point per dollar spent on most everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and restaurants. Southwest purchases earn at a higher rate — typically 2 or 3 points per dollar depending on which card you hold and what type of Southwest purchase it is.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, so you can accumulate them over time without pressure to use them when ready. You redeem points directly through Southwest's website or app by selecting a flight and choosing to pay with points instead of cash. The number of points required varies by route and travel date — a short domestic flight might cost 6,000 to 8,000 points, while a longer route could cost 15,000 to 25,000 points or more.
One important detail: Southwest does not have blackout dates, meaning you can use points on any flight that has available seats. This is different from some other airline cards where certain flights or dates are off-limits to points redemptions. However, points are worth less on high-demand flights and dates because Southwest uses a dynamic pricing model — the same route costs more points during peak travel times.
Annual fees and when they make sense
The Premier Card charges $69 annually and the Plus Card charges $99 annually. These fees hit your account on the anniversary of when you open the card, and they recur every year unless you close the card. Before you open either card, think about whether you will use it enough to get that money back.
The free checked bag benefit is the easiest way to measure value. If you fly Southwest at least twice per year with a checked bag, you are already breaking even on the Premier Card's fee. The Plus Card requires more frequent flying or higher spending to justify its higher fee, unless you value the additional earning rate on Southwest purchases or other perks it may offer.
If you do not fly Southwest regularly, or if you never check bags, the annual fee becomes harder to justify. In that case, a no-annual-fee card from another airline or a general rewards card might serve you better. The credit card market changes constantly, so it is worth comparing what other cards offer before committing to a card with an annual fee.
Sign-up bonuses and spending requirements
The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of points you will earn in the first year. Chase changes these offers regularly — sometimes monthly — so the exact bonus available today is not the same as what was available last month or will be available next month. A typical offer might be 40,000 to 75,000 bonus points, though this varies.
To earn the bonus, you must spend a certain amount on the card within the first three months. This is called the spending requirement, and it typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the current offer. If you spend $2,000 on the card in the first three months and the requirement is $2,000, you earn the bonus. If you only spend $1,500, you do not earn the bonus — there is no partial credit.
The bonus points are worth real money in the form of flights. A 50,000-point bonus might cover a round-trip domestic flight outright, or it might cover most of the cost and leave you paying a smaller amount in cash. The exact value depends on which flights you want and when you want to fly. Before you open the card, think about whether you can realistically spend the required amount in three months without overspending just to hit the bonus.
Comparing the Premier and Plus cards
The Premier Card ($69 annual fee) and Plus Card ($99 annual fee) are similar in structure but differ in earning rates and some perks. The Premier Card typically earns 1 point per dollar on most purchases and 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. The Plus Card often earns 1 point per dollar on most purchases but 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and dining at restaurants.
If you eat out frequently or dine while traveling, the Plus Card's bonus earning on restaurants might make the extra $30 annual fee worthwhile. If you mostly use the card for everyday spending and Southwest flights, the Premier Card's lower fee might be the better choice. The sign-up bonus on each card can also differ, so compare the current offers before deciding.
Both cards include the free checked bag benefit and other perks like priority boarding on Southwest flights. The specific perks and earning rates can change, so check Southwest's website or Chase's website for the current details on each card before you make a decision.
How to decide if a Southwest card is right for you
A Southwest credit card makes the most sense if you fly Southwest Airlines at least a few times per year and want to earn rewards on those flights. If you fly other airlines primarily, or if you rarely fly at all, a general rewards card or a card from another airline might serve you better. The annual fee is only worth paying if you will use the card enough to get that money back through points, perks, or both.
Start by asking yourself three questions: How often do you fly Southwest? Do you check bags? How much do you spend on everyday purchases? If you fly Southwest four or more times per year and check bags, the free bag benefit alone likely covers the annual fee. If you spend a lot on dining or hotels, the earning rates on those categories might add extra value. If the answer to all three questions is "not much," a Southwest card is probably not the right fit.
You should also consider whether you already have other credit cards and how many cards you want to manage. Opening a new card temporarily lowers your credit score and adds another account to track. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, opening a new card might not be the right timing. If you are not planning any major borrowing in the next few months, the timing is less critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the Southwest card to get the free checked bag?
You must use the card to purchase the ticket or have the card number available at check-in. If someone else buys the ticket with a different card, you do not get the free bag benefit. The benefit applies to the cardholder and one companion per trip, so make sure the person checking the bag is either you or the companion you designated.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your Rapid Rewards points stay in your Southwest account even after you close the credit card. You can still redeem them for flights or other rewards as long as your Southwest Rapid Rewards account remains active. However, if your Rapid Rewards account goes inactive (usually after 24 months with no activity), your points may expire.
Can I earn points on the annual fee?
No, the annual fee does not earn points. You only earn points on purchases you make with the card. The annual fee is a separate charge that hits your account once per year and does not contribute to your points balance.
Is the sign-up bonus worth opening the card just for the bonus?
That depends on the bonus amount and whether you can use the points for flights you actually want to take. If the bonus covers a flight you were already planning to book, it can be worth opening the card. If you would only open the card for the bonus and have no plans to fly Southwest, the annual fee will eat into the value of the bonus in future years.
What if I do not meet the spending requirement in three months?
You do not earn the sign-up bonus if you do not meet the spending requirement. There is no partial credit or extension — it is all or nothing. If you are close to the requirement, you could make a planned purchase to reach it, but do not spend money you would not otherwise spend just to hit the bonus.