The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, like all shared travel cards, is for people who regularly fly with Southwest Airlines.
This is a premium travel card that offers 3,000 miles each year, a discount on in-flight purchases, and two free EarlyBird registrations each year.
This card also has a rewards structure, providing bonus miles for spending categories such as transportation, commuting, internet, cable TV, telephone, and streaming choice.
Another strong point of this card is the 50,000 mile sign-up bonus – more than enough to get you a round trip ticket or two!
If you’re thinking about adding a Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card to your wallet, this guide will help you decide.
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card right for me?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is for frequent flyers who enjoy traveling with Southwest.
This means that if you are a regular customer of Southwest or live near downtown Southwest, this card could be a great option for you. You’ll speed up your free flight earnings and get solid perks like two free EarlyBird registrations every year.
If you’re not a Southwest fan or live in a place where Southwest isn’t as common, this card probably won’t be as valuable as another airline credit card or a regular travel credit card.
How is this credit card different?
What makes the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card different is that it is focused on Southwest Airlines.
Because it’s a co-branded card, it can offer unique benefits and perks that regular travel credit cards don’t have. If you’re a frequent flyer to the Southwest, you’ll love these perks.
This card also gives you a great sign up bonus of 50,000 points if you spend $1,000 with the card within three months of opening an account.
You can also earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually. With the Companion Pass, you can designate one person, such as a spouse, partner, or friend, as a companion. They can get a free ticket for any flight you book for yourself.
Universal Passes don’t offer these special benefits and perks, so they probably won’t be as attractive to people who choose to fly Southwest.
Related: Best credit card sign up bonuses
What are my chances of getting approved?
As with any credit card, it’s important to consider whether you stand a chance of getting one before applying. Applying for a new credit card lowers your credit score by a few points, so you don’t want to lower your credit for no reason.
Chase, the issuer of this Southwest credit card, says applicants need good credit to be eligible for the card. This means that you should try to get a credit score of around 670 or higher before you apply.
All Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card Details
Credit cards are complex, so before signing up for one, you need to make sure you understand how they work.
Tariffs and fees
The first thing to consider when you want to get a new credit card is its cost. Some cards, including travel cards, have an annual fee, so you need to make sure that the benefits and perks you receive will cover the cost of owning the card.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card costs $69 per year.
Benefits and awards
When it comes to travel cards, it’s all about perks and rewards. A good tourist card should allow you to earn free rides and make your trip more comfortable.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card has it all: a great sign-up bonus, significant ongoing rewards, and some nice perks to use while you fly.
To get you started, you can earn 50,000 points by spending $1,000 within the first three months of receiving your card.
After that you will earn:
- 2 points for every dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
- 2 points for every dollar spent on Rapid Rewards® partners and car rentals.
- 2 points for every dollar spent on local transportation and commuting, including sharing.
- 2 points for every dollar spent on internet, cable TV, phone services and some streaming services.
- 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
In terms of perks, cardholders will receive a bonus of 3,000 points for each anniversary of card membership. You can also use the card to get two free EarlyBird registrations each year and 25% back on all onboard purchases.
You’ll also get all the typical perks and benefits of a credit card, including an extended warranty and purchase protection.
Related: Best travel bonus cards
How to Apply
The easiest way to apply for a Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is to visit the Chase website. Chase is the bank that Southwest has partnered with to offer this credit card.
To begin the process, you must enter your personal information, including:
- Name.
- Date of Birth.
- Mother’s Maiden Name.
- Social Security number.
- Address.
You will also need to provide your Southwest Rapid Rewards number, if you have one. If you don’t, Chase will automatically set it up for you if you’re approved.
Finally, you will list whether you own or rent, the amount of your monthly rent (if applicable), and your total annual income. Once you submit your application, Chase will review it and make a loan decision.
As a rule, Chase can make a decision instantly. However, if the bank is unable to match your information with your credit file or wants to take a closer look at certain details of the application, you may have to wait for a decision by mail.
Contact Information
If you’re having issues with your Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card, your best bet is to contact Chase Support.
You can contact Chase by logging into your account and sending a secure message. You can also call Credit Card Customer Support at 1-800-432-3117 or connect with @ChaseSupport on social media.
Other things you should know
One important thing to note about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is that it is not the only Southwest travel card available. There are two more: the Priority card and the Premier card.
Plus is an entry-level card. It has the lowest annual fee but the fewest perks of the three Southwest cards.
The Premier card is the next level up from the Plus card. It has a higher annual fee of $99, but offers a 3x point increase on all Southwest purchases, 6,000 points for each card member anniversary, and bonus qualifying points towards A-List status.
Priority Map is the top map for Southwest. It has an annual fee of $149, but it offers 7,500 points for each card membership anniversary and a $75 credit for Southwest travel each year. You will also receive four upgrades per year.
Another thing to consider is that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is for Southwest passengers. The rewards you earn are fairly inflexible and are usually only valid for Southwest flights. There are several options for redeeming a gift card, but they are not very profitable.
Credit cards alternative to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card credit card.
If the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card doesn’t sound right to you, consider the following alternatives:
- Southwest Priority: This card is useful for people who spend a lot on it and want to earn A-List status.
- Southwest Premier: For frequent travelers, the annual credit and points on this card mostly cover the fee. You’ll also enjoy the improved boarding perk.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is another Chase card with much more flexible rewards, allowing you to redeem points for any journey.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card has $95 an annual fee and offers high cashback rates on travel purchases.
- American Express Gold: This is a mid-level Membership Rewards card. It offers flexible rewards and good food and travel rates.
How to determine which credit card is right for you?
When you are in the market for a new credit card, you must compare your options to find the right one. When making this comparison, consider the following factors:
- Your ability to qualify. Card issuers develop different cards for people with different credit profiles. Before you apply, make sure you have a good chance of getting the card.
- Fees. Some cards, especially travel cards, charge an annual fee. Make sure that you get enough funds from the card so that the commission is worth paying.
- Perks. Each card has its own set of privileges and benefits. Make sure the benefits you get from the card are good for you.
- Awards. Credit cards may offer cashback, points, miles or other rewards. Make sure the rewards offered are in line with your goals. It is also important to think about their flexibility. You don’t want to be stuck with miles that you can’t use. Also, keep in mind the speed of these rewards and look for cards that offer bonuses for the types of purchases you make most often.
- Rates. In general, you should avoid credit card balances whenever possible. However, sometimes a balance has to be struck. When this happens, it’s good to have a card with a low interest rate.
FAQs about Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
Can I combine my southwest miles with someone else’s?
No, Southwest does not offer any way to combine your rewards with another person.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is a privilege that you can earn with a credit card check-in bonus or by taking many flights in one year. Once you receive this pass, you can select one more person to receive a free ticket for each flight you book until the end of the calendar year after you receive it.
So if you earn a pass in 2023, it will expire at the end of 2024. The expiration date of some promotional passes may vary.
Can I use Southwest Points for purposes other than flying?
Yes, you can redeem your Southwest Points for gift cards from many popular retailers. However, redeeming points for airline tickets is usually more profitable.
Why Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card?
With a strong signup bonus and some nice perks, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is a good option for frequent Southwest fliers.
Considering the reasonable price, substantial signup bonus, and valuable perks, we give the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card a 4 out of 5.
If you think this is the right card for you, apply now.