The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is the entry level card for aspiring Rapid Rewards point earners. This airline credit card earns 2X points per dollar spent with Southwest and on Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners.
It also earns 2X points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including ride-sharing services, as well as on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. Finally, the credit card earns 1X points on all other purchases.
Above all, for a modest $69 annual fee, the Rapid Rewards Plus credit card helps you rack up points as cheaply as possible.
Our favorite Rapid Rewards Plus perks include the 3,000 bonus points and 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins awarded to cardholders on the anniversary of your account opening. It’s all added incentive to retain the card after you’ve earned the introductory sign-up bonus.
Offer Details
Annual Fee: $69
Bonus: 75,000 Points
APR: Variable APR
Rewards Rate: 1X-2X Points
Bonus
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card offers new cardholders a handy sign-up bonus. New cardmembers can earn 75,000 Rapid Reward points after spending $3,000 during the first three months of account opening.
Our points and miles valuation guide estimates that 50,000 Rapid Rewards Points are worth over $1,000 in free Southwest flights.
You’ll also receive 3,000 points and 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins annually on your cardmember anniversary.
Rewards Rate
In addition to the sign-up bonus, you’ll earn Southwest points for using our card for purchases. Currently, cardmembers earn:
- 2X points per dollar spent on Southwest purchase and with Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including ride-sharing
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming services
- 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases
Bonus points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card count towards earning a Companion Pass, but do not count towards earning A-List or A-List Preferred status.
Annual Fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has the lowest annual fee among the suite of Southwest credit cards. The card comes with a $69 annual fee, which is applied to the first billing statement. Always factor the annual fee cost in when determining the value of any rewards credit card.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Unlike most Southwest Airlines credit cards, the Plus card does charge foreign transaction fees. Purchases made with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card outside of the U.S. are subject to a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Benefits
As Southwest’s entry-level card, there aren’t many extra perks attached to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. Like all Southwest Rapid Rewards members, you’ll enjoy free first and second checked bags, no change fees and no blackout dates on rewards flights. Travel perks featured with this airline credit card include:
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Baggage delay insurance
- Extended warranty protection
- Purchase damage and theft protection