Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Review and Guide

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a great option for those who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines. It offers a 40,000-point bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.

One of the benefits of this card is that it earns 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases, which can add up quickly.

The card also includes a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to 4 companions on the same reservation, which can save you up to $140 per round trip.

In addition, the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is an excellent choice for those looking to earn points with Southwest Airlines. It has a low $69 annual fee.

You can earn 2X points on Southwest purchases, which is a great opportunity to rack up points quickly. This includes flights, hotel stays, and car rentals booked through Southwest.

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Earning points on local transit and commuting is also a perk, including rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. You'll earn 2X points on these purchases as well.

The card also offers 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, as well as select streaming services. This is a nice bonus for those who already pay for these services.

Here are the ways you can earn points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card:

You'll also receive a 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card offers a range of benefits and perks. You'll get 3,000 bonus points for each account anniversary, which can add up over time.

EarlyBird Check-In is also included, allowing you to check in for your 2025 flights up to 36 hours in advance. This can be a huge time-saver, especially during peak travel seasons.

You'll also earn 25% back on in-flight purchases, which can help offset the cost of food and drinks on your flight.

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This card is ideal for the occasional Southwest traveler who doesn't need all the bells and whistles.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card has a low annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to explore the airline and its partners without breaking the bank.

Points earned on this card never expire, giving you plenty of time to use them towards your next flight.

If you're not looking for all the premium perks offered by other Southwest cards, this might be the way to go.

It's worth noting that the Southwest Plus Card has the lowest annual fee of all Southwest cards, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card offers a generous sign-up bonus that's hard to resist. You can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.

This welcome bonus is the same across all three Southwest cards, so you can snag it for a lower $99 annual fee with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. The bonus is a great way to get started with earning points and redeeming them for flights, hotel stays, or other travel-related expenses.

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To be eligible for the bonus, you must not currently have a personal Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card and you must not have received a welcome bonus within the last 24 months. However, this stipulation doesn't apply to Southwest business credit cards.

Here are the details of the sign-up bonus:

Earning Southwest Rapid Rewards points is a breeze with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card. You'll earn 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and purchases at any of the Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.

You can also earn points on other purchases, like local transit and commuting expenses, internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming services, all earning you 2 points per dollar. But for all other purchases, you'll earn 1 point per dollar.

Here are the bonus categories on this card: local transit and commuting expenses, internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming services, all earning you 2 points per dollar.

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One of the easiest ways to earn heaps of points is by holding multiple Southwest credit cards and earning the welcome bonuses for each one. You can also use a credit card with transferable rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which would allow you to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which could be transferred to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

You can redeem your points for a free Southwest flight, and the price it costs to book a Southwest Airlines flight with points tracks the cash fare price.

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Earning miles with the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards is a great way to accumulate points for your next flight. You can earn 2X Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases, local transit and commuting, and internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services.

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card, you'll earn 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and purchases at any of the Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. This is a great way to earn points on your travel expenses.

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Cardholders also earn 3,000 bonus points each year after their cardmember anniversary, which can add up quickly.

Here's a breakdown of the earning categories for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card:

Note that these benefits expire December 31, 2025.

Redeeming your Southwest Rapid Rewards points is a straightforward process. Simply log into your account and start searching for flights by clicking on the "points" option.

You'll be able to view flights with redemption amounts and prices shown in points, making it easy to pick the best option for you. As long as you have enough points in your account, you'll be able to purchase your ticket.

Taxes on flights still apply, so be prepared to pay $5.60 each way for a one-way flight within the United States. International flights may have varying taxes and fees.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program offers three different fare options: Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select. Each option comes with its own set of benefits, including priority boarding and point earnings.

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You won't have the option to choose your seat on Southwest flights, as they're offered on a first-come, first-served basis. However, new fare tiers and seat reservations will be available starting July 29, 2025, for flights taking off January 27, 2026.

The price of booking a Southwest flight with points tracks the cash fare price, so the amount of Rapid Rewards points required will fluctuate based on the dollar cost of the ticket.

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You can earn a referral bonus when someone gets approved for the Southwest Plus Card using your referral link. You can earn up to 100,000 bonus points per year.

The bonus is 25,000 points per referral, which can add up quickly. It's worth sharing your referral link with friends and family who might be interested in getting the card.

After the person you refer gets approved, it can take up to 8 weeks to receive your bonus.

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider:

The card offers a high rewards rate, with 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases. It also comes with a 50,000 points initial rewards bonus.

One of the downsides is the membership fees, which can add up over time. Additionally, there is no intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.

The card does offer some valuable travel perks, including a 10% flight discount each anniversary year, a free checked bag for you and up to eight additional passengers, and standard seat selection within 48 hours before departure.

However, the card's rewards on other spending categories are limited, earning only 1 point per $1 spent.

Here's a comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card with its counterparts:

The card's anniversary bonus is 3,000 points, which is lower than the 7,500 points offered by the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card and the 6,000 points offered by the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card.

Overall, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is a solid option for those who want to earn rewards on Southwest purchases and enjoy some travel perks, but may not be the best choice for those seeking higher rewards rates or more extensive benefits.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is a great option for travelers who want to earn rewards and enjoy some valuable perks. You'll get a 10% flight discount each anniversary year, excluding Basic fare.

One of the best perks of this card is the free checked bag for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. This can save you a lot of money on baggage fees over time.

You'll also get standard seat selection within 48 hours before departure for you and up to eight passengers on the same reservation, which can be a huge convenience. Group 5 boarding for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation is another benefit.

In-flight purchases are also discounted by 25% with this card, which can add up to some savings. You'll also get 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year for 2025 flights, which can give you a head start on boarding.

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Here are some of the key rewards and perks of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card:

You'll also earn 3,000 bonus points for each account anniversary, which can add up to some extra rewards over time.

To get approved for the Southwest Plus Card, you'll need a credit score of 700 or better, which is considered good credit. This is a relatively high requirement, so make sure you've taken care of your credit history before applying.

Your income, existing debt load, number of open accounts, recent credit inquiries, and employment will also be taken into account when considering your application.

The no foreign fees perk is a game-changer for international travelers. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, making it a great option for those trips abroad.

Some credit cards can hit you with hefty fees for international transactions, but not this one. This can save you a significant amount of money on your overseas adventures.

Traveling internationally can be expensive, but with the right credit card, you can save some cash. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a good choice to use during an international trip.

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The foreign transaction fee is a significant consideration for travelers and international shoppers. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card foreign transaction fee is 3%.

This fee applies to transactions made outside of the United States. The 3% surcharge is added to each transaction in U.S. dollars.

It's worth noting that online purchases from internationally-based merchants also incur this fee.

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If you're considering applying for the Southwest Plus Card, you'll want to know about the credit score requirement. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card requires a credit score of 700 or better.

Having a good credit score is essential for approval, but it's not the only factor. Your income and existing debt load will also impact your chances of getting approved.

To give you a better idea, here are the key criteria that will influence your approval odds:

It's worth noting that you'll also need to be at least 18 years old, have a U.S. mailing address, and an SSN or ITIN to apply for the Southwest Plus Card.

To apply for the Southwest Plus Card, you can do so online by clicking the "Apply Now" button on WalletHub or by going directly to Chase's website.

You can also apply in person, which is another option if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

The Southwest Plus Card requires good credit, which means you need a 700+ credit score for high approval odds.

Applying for the card triggers a hard inquiry, which may temporarily hurt your credit score.

Balance transfer can be a convenient way to manage your finances, but it's essential to understand the associated fees.

The balance transfer fee for the Southwest Plus Card is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

You'll want to factor this into your decision to transfer a balance, as it can add up quickly.

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card has some great features, but it's worth considering other options. The card has a 3.5 WalletHub rating, which is based on its ability to earn airline rewards.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card has an annual fee of $69, which is lower than some of its competitors. For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card has an annual fee of $149.

Here's a comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card with two other popular travel credit cards:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a higher WalletHub rating and a higher rewards rate, but it also has a higher annual fee. Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is a solid travel rewards card, but it's essential to compare it with other options to see if it's the best fit for you.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card has a 3.5 WalletHub rating and an annual fee of $69. It offers a rewards rate of 1 - 2 points per dollar spent.

In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card has a higher rating of 3.9 and an annual fee of $149. It also offers a higher rewards rate of 1 - 3 points per dollar spent.

Here's a comparison of the three cards:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card stands out with its high rating of 4.6 and a rewards rate of 1 - 5 points per dollar spent. It also offers a bonus of 60,000 points, which is higher than the other two cards.

The United Gateway℠ Card is a no annual fee credit card that earns United MileagePlus miles, redeemable for flights with the airline and its partners.

If you're considering this card, you should know it has flexible spending categories and no foreign transaction fees, making it a convenient option for international travelers.

The card also comes with a complimentary travel cancellation and interruption policy that reimburses up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for any pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares paid with the card.

This policy can be a lifesaver if your travel plans go awry, and it's a significant benefit to consider when weighing the pros and cons of this card.

If you enjoy traveling abroad, the United Airlines card might be the way to go since the carrier and its Star Alliance partners fly to many international destinations.

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