What the Southwest Rapid Rewards Card does
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. When you use it to make purchases, you earn points that you can redeem for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and checked baggage fees. The card comes with an annual fee, and the rewards rate varies depending on which version you choose.
Southwest operates a point-based system rather than a traditional airline mile structure. This means the number of points you need for a flight depends on the route and demand, not a fixed chart. Points don't expire as long as your account stays active, and you can combine points from multiple sources — the card, flying, and promotions — into one account.
Key Takeaways
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Card charges an annual fee that ranges from $69 to $99 depending on the card tier, and you earn a one-time point bonus after meeting a spending threshold in the first months of card ownership.
- You earn points on every purchase made with the card, typically at a rate of 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, depending on which card version you hold and what category the purchase falls into.
- The card includes benefits like two free checked bags on Southwest flights, priority boarding, and statement credits for certain fees, which may or may not offset the annual cost depending on how often you fly.
- You need to compare the annual fee against your actual spending and flight frequency to determine whether the rewards you earn will exceed what the card costs you each year.
The three Southwest Rapid Rewards Card versions
Chase offers three versions of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Card: the standard card, the Plus card, and the Premier card. Each has a different annual fee and different earning rates on certain purchases. The standard card has the lowest annual fee but also the lowest earning potential. The Plus and Premier cards cost more per year but offer higher point multipliers on specific categories and additional perks.
The earning structure works like this: all three cards earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases. The Plus and Premier cards earn 2 points per dollar at gas stations, restaurants, and on Southwest purchases. The Premier card also earns 2 points per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through the Southwest portal. These category bonuses are where the higher-tier cards can justify their higher annual fees if you spend heavily in those categories.
Annual fees and the sign-up bonus
The standard Southwest Rapid Rewards Card charges $69 per year. The Plus card charges $99 per year. The Premier card also charges $99 per year. These fees are charged on your statement each year on the card anniversary date, and they do not vary based on how much you spend or whether you use the card.
When you first open the card, you receive a one-time sign-up bonus of points if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — typically three months. The bonus amount varies by card tier and changes periodically based on Chase's promotions. You should check the current offer before opening an account, because the bonus is often the largest chunk of points you'll earn in the first year and can significantly affect whether the card makes financial sense for you.
What the free checked bag benefit actually saves you
One of the main perks of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Card is that you and one companion on the same reservation get two free checked bags on Southwest flights. Southwest charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most routes, so this benefit can save you $70 to $90 per round trip if you check bags regularly.
To use this benefit, your name must be on the reservation, and the companion must be listed as a passenger on the same booking. The benefit applies to flights you book with cash or points. If you fly Southwest multiple times per year and check bags, this single benefit can cover a significant portion of the annual fee. However, if you rarely fly Southwest or travel light, the benefit has no value to you.
Priority boarding and other included benefits
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Card includes priority boarding on Southwest flights, which means you board in an earlier group than standard passengers. This can help you find better seat selection and overhead bin space. The Plus and Premier cards offer earlier priority boarding than the standard card.
The card also includes a statement credit for one of Southwest's fees each year — typically the annual Southwest Companion Pass fee or a travel fee. The Premier card offers a higher credit amount than the Plus card. These credits are automatic and appear on your statement once per year, so you don't need to request them. Like the checked bag benefit, these credits only have value if you actually use the services they cover.
How to decide if the card is worth the annual fee
The core question is whether the rewards you earn and the benefits you receive will exceed the annual fee. Start by calculating your typical annual Southwest spending. If you spend $5,000 per year on the card at 1 point per dollar, you earn 5,000 points. At current Southwest pricing, 5,000 points might cover a portion of one domestic flight, depending on the route and time of year.
Next, add up the value of the benefits you'll actually use. If you fly Southwest twice per year and check bags both times, the free checked bag benefit is worth roughly $140 to $180. If you use the annual fee credit, that's another $69 to $99 in value. If these benefits plus your earned points exceed the annual fee, the card may make sense. If you don't fly Southwest regularly or don't check bags, the math becomes much harder to justify.
The sign-up bonus is temporary and shouldn't be the only reason to keep the card long-term. Many people open the card, earn the bonus, and close it after the first year to avoid paying another annual fee. This is a valid strategy if you don't fly Southwest frequently enough to justify the ongoing cost.
Comparing the three card tiers
| Feature | Standard Card | Plus Card | Premier Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $69 | $99 | $99 |
| Earning Rate (General) | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
| Earning Rate (Gas, Restaurants, Southwest) | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 | 2 points per $1 |
| Earning Rate (Hotels, Rental Cars) | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 | 2 points per $1 |
| Free Checked Bags | Yes, 2 bags | Yes, 2 bags | Yes, 2 bags |
| Priority Boarding | Yes, A-List | Yes, A-List Plus | Yes, A-List Preferred |
| Annual Fee Credit | None | $69 credit | $99 credit |
The standard card makes sense if you spend very little on the card and fly Southwest infrequently. You pay the lowest fee and get the core benefits — free checked bags and priority boarding — without paying for features you won't use. The Plus card is aimed at people who spend regularly on gas and restaurants and fly Southwest a few times per year. The Premier card targets frequent Southwest travelers who also book hotels and rental cars through the airline's portal.
If you're deciding between the Plus and Premier cards, look at your hotel and rental car spending. The Premier card's 2-point earning on those categories only justifies the same $99 annual fee as the Plus card if you spend enough in those categories to earn back the difference. For most people, the Plus card offers better value unless you book significant travel accommodations through Southwest's portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Southwest points to book flights on other airlines?
No. Southwest points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and Southwest-related fees like checked bags and boarding passes. You cannot transfer points to other airlines or use them outside the Southwest ecosystem. This is a key difference from some other airline cards that offer more flexibility.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, your account will be considered inactive if you don't fly Southwest or earn points through another source for 24 months, at which point the points may expire. Keeping the account active is the responsibility of the cardholder, not the card issuer.
Do I have to use the card to get the free checked bag benefit?
No. The free checked bags explore to any Southwest flight where your name is on the reservation, regardless of how you paid for the ticket. You could book a flight with cash and still receive the benefit as long as you're the cardholder listed on the reservation. However, you must be an active cardholder — the benefit ends if you close the card.
How do I know if the sign-up bonus is worth it?
Check the current bonus offer on Chase's website before you open an account. Multiply the bonus points by the average value per point on Southwest flights (typically 1 to 2 cents per point, depending on route and timing). Subtract the annual fee from that value. If the result is positive and you plan to keep the card for at least one year, the bonus likely makes the card worth opening.
Can I have more than one Southwest Rapid Rewards Card?
Chase's rules typically limit you to one Southwest Rapid Rewards Card at a time, though you can upgrade from one tier to another. You cannot hold the standard card and the Plus card simultaneously. If you want to switch cards, you would need to close one before opening the other, which may affect your may be able to access for another sign-up bonus.