Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $99.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 50,000 bonus points |
| Rewards Rate | 1x-2x Rapid Rewards points |
| Regular APR | 19.24Min. of (6.75+12.49) and 29.99%–27.74Min. of (6.75+20.99) and 29.99% variable APR. |
| Other Fees | No foreign transaction fees. |
About this card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card earns an overall rating of 3.6, positioning it as a 'Good' card with notable strengths for its specific target audience, but also a significant drawback. Its value proposition is excellent for Southwest loyalists who consistently pay their balance in full, but substantially diminished for those who carry a balance. The card truly shines in its rewards program (rated 4.3), offering an exceptional sign-up bonus, strong earning rates on Southwest purchases, gas, and groceries (with a cap), and valuable anniversary points that help offset the annual fee. Crucially, the suite of Southwest-specific perks, including free checked bags, a 10% flight discount, and a Companion Pass qualifying point boost, adds immense value for frequent flyers of the airline. The fee structure (rated 4.2) is also highly favorable, with a moderate annual fee that is easily justified by the benefits and the significant advantage of no foreign transaction fees. The card's reputation (rated 4.2) is solid, benefiting from its Chase issuer and being consistently recommended as an excellent entry-level option for Southwest flyers, particularly those aiming for the Companion Pass. However, the card's most significant weakness is its very poor APR (rated 1.5). The high variable interest rate, ranging from 19.24% to 27.74%, coupled with the complete absence of an introductory APR offer, makes this card an extremely expensive option for anyone who anticipates carrying a balance. Interest charges at these rates would quickly negate any rewards earned. Therefore, while it is an excellent choice for a budget-conscious Southwest flyer who manages their spending diligently and avoids interest, its high APR prevents it from achieving a higher overall rating for a broader audience.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- Elevated rewards on specific spending categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- Comprehensive travel perks (free checked bags, priority boarding, annual flight discount, Companion Pass boost)
- Annual bonus points
- Travel and purchase protections, plus delivery service benefits
Things to consider
- Annual fee applies
- No intro APR period
- Potentially high regular APR
- Limited rewards categories with spending caps
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
- Earn 2 points for each dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases.
- Earn 2 points for each dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.
- Earn 1 point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
- You'll earn 1 point for each $1 of the first $10,000 of balance transfers made during the first 90 days from your original account open date.
- You’ll earn 2X Rapid Rewards points on qualifying Lyft products and services purchased through the Lyft mobile application through 12/31/2027.
Other features
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their bag at no additional cost. Save up to $90 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).
- Complimentary Standard seat - Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- 3,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary.
- 10% Flight Discount - Receive a 10% promo code each year on your Cardmember anniversary (Excludes Basic fare).
- 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year.
- Boarding benefit - Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No change fees.
- Unlimited reward seats with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- Your points don't expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards program.
- Redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, access to exclusive events, and merchandise.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Extended Warranty Protection
- Purchase Protection
- Contactless - Just Tap To Pay
- Apply for a card, use it the same day
- Doordash: Get one-year complimentary DashPass. Activate by Dec 31, 2027. Plus, DashPass members get up to $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant DoorDash orders through Dec 31, 2027.
- Lyft: Earn 2X total points on qualifying Lyft products and services purchased through the Lyft mobile application through 12/31/2027.
- Instacart: Up to $120 in Instacart credits annually; $0 delivery fees with 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit. Service fees apply.
- Chase Pay Over Time lets eligible Chase customers break up credit card purchases into budget friendly payments. After purchase: No Interest- just a fixed monthly fee with plan durations that range from 3-24 months. At checkout: Orders totaling $50 or more using your eligible Chase credit card at Amazon.com could be eligible for Chase Pay Over Time.
Additional Notes
This product is available to you if you do not have a current Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Business Card and Employee Credit Card products.