Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card Review: An Affordable Option With Solid Airline Perks

Southwest Plus Card Benefits

Generous Welcome Offer

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card offers 100,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 5 months from account opening. Southwest points are typically worth around 1.4 cents each toward travel on Southwest — so you should be able to get $1,400 in value from this bonus.

The points you earn from the welcome offer also count toward the annual 135,000-point requirement to achieve the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. When you earn the Companion Pass, Southwest will let you bring along a travel buddy every single time you fly Southwest for just the cost of taxes and fees. The Companion Pass is valid from the year it’s earned through the following calendar year.

Day-of-Travel Benefits

Jan. 27, 2026, is when Southwest will end its open seating policy and assign seats. With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card, you can choose a Standard seat for free (if any are available) 48 hours before departure. However, it’s worth noting that anyone who purchases a ticket above Southwest’s “Basic” fare can choose a seat for free during booking.

Once assigned seating is in full swing, Southwest will implement traditional boarding groups. Those with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card will board in Group 5. Because Southwest will have eight boarding groups, you’re sure to have ample overhead bin space to choose from.

The card will also offer the first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. Because Southwest now charges $35 per bag each way, this could be a huge savings.

Finally, you’ll get 25% back in the form of a statement credit when making in-flight purchases for Wi-Fi or drinks.

Annual Bonuses

Each year, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card gives multiple incentives to renew your card. Here’s what you’ll get after each cardmember anniversary:

• 3,000 bonus points (can be redeemed)
• 10% flight discount code, valid for all paid Southwest flights except Basic fares (taxes and fees stay the same)
• 10,000-point boost toward the Southwest Companion Pass, effectively lowering the annual 135,000-point qualification requirement to 125,000
• Two EarlyBird Check-Ins, which will check you in earlier than 24 hours before your flight — giving you earlier boarding than most other passengers (this perk disappears once Southwest begins assigning seats in 2026).

These perks alone could potentially offset a large portion of the card’s $99 annual fee.

Decent Travel Insurance Benefits

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card comes with passable travel insurance. You’ll get:

• Secondary rental car insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• Lost luggage insurance

Less expensive credit cards, such as the $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offer superior travel insurance to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card.

Southwest Plus Card Drawbacks

Higher Annual Fee

Up from $69, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card now charges a $99 annual fee. However, it’s the least expensive sibling in the Southwest credit card family.

Take a look at the card’s benefits and decide if you can truly squeeze more savings from the card than you’ll pay for the annual fee. Perks like anniversary bonus points, an annual 10% discount on airfare and the first checked bag free may perfectly complement your travels and save you much more than $99.

Weak Earning Rates

Through the end of 2025, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card earns:

• 2 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines® purchases
• 2 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores (up to $5,000 in combined purchases per year)
• 2 points per dollar on Southwest cruises
• 2 points per dollar on hotel and car rental partners
• 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Southwest is ditching all but the 2x earnings for Southwest purchases and gas stations and grocery stores.

Who Is the Southwest Plus Card Best For?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card probably doesn’t make sense for you unless you fly Southwest at least a couple of times each year. Its primary money-saving features only activate when you book with Southwest, namely, the first checked bag free, annual 10% flight discount and 3,000 anniversary bonus points.

Because Southwest is primarily a domestic airline (it does serve a select few international destinations south of the border), the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is also best for those who aren’t trying to cross an ocean for their vacation.

Is It the Right Card for You?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is right for you if:

• You check bags with Southwest at least a couple of times each year
• You want to earn the Southwest Companion Pass
• Your travel goals are mostly domestic

Alternatives to the Southwest Plus Card

If you’re still not sure whether the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is for you, you’ve got cheaper alternatives:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This $95-annual-fee card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that you can transfer to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio. It’s a great card for those who fly Southwest occasionally but aren’t loyal to the brand. That’s because its points transfer to many other airlines, as well, including United and JetBlue. Just note that you won’t get any Southwest-specific benefits (like free checked bags and preferred boarding).
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: For a slightly higher $149 annual fee, you’ll get a version of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card’s perks — but better. For example, you’ll get 6,000 bonus points after each cardmember anniversary (instead of 3,000), you’ll get a 15% flight discount code each year (instead of a 10% discount), and you’ll be eligible for a Preferred seat upgrade within 48 hours of departure. You can even fast-track to Southwest elite status through spending.