What this card does and who it's for
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card earns points on every purchase you make, and those points convert directly into Southwest airline tickets with no blackout dates. You earn points at a faster rate on Southwest purchases than on other spending. The card comes with a sign-up bonus of points after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months — the exact number changes by offer and by card version.
This card makes sense if you fly Southwest regularly or plan to, because the points accumulate faster than cash-back cards and you can use them for any available seat. It also makes sense if you want airline perks bundled with the card itself, like checked bag fee waivers and priority boarding. If you rarely fly or prefer flexibility to book any airline, a flat cash-back card may serve you better.
Southwest offers three versions of this card: the standard Rapid Rewards card, the Rapid Rewards Plus, and the Rapid Rewards Premier. The Plus and Premier versions charge an annual fee but come with higher sign-up bonuses and more premium benefits. The standard card has no annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- You earn points on every dollar spent, with bonus point rates on Southwest purchases and partner merchants.
- A sign-up bonus of points is offered after you spend a set amount within the first few months of opening the account.
- The standard card has no annual fee; the Plus and Premier versions charge yearly fees but include higher bonuses and perks like checked bag waivers.
- Points never expire as long as your account stays open and you earn or redeem at least once every 24 months.
- You can redeem points for Southwest flights, but also for hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards through the Rapid Rewards program.
How points earning works
Every purchase on the card earns a base rate of points — typically one point per dollar spent. On Southwest flights booked directly with the airline, you earn at a higher rate, often two or three points per dollar depending on which card version you hold. Partner merchants like hotels, rental car companies, and restaurants also offer bonus point rates when you use the card.
The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of points you'll earn upfront. You receive this bonus after you spend a minimum amount — usually between $1,000 and $2,000 — within the first 60 to 90 days of opening the account. The bonus point total varies by offer; check the current offer when you're considering the card, because it changes throughout the year.
Points do not expire as long as you keep the account open and earn or redeem at least once every 24 months. This means you can let points sit while you save toward a ticket, as long as you use the card or redeem points at least once in that two-year window.
Annual fees and what they cover
The standard Rapid Rewards card charges no annual fee. The Rapid Rewards Plus charges an annual fee of around $69, and the Rapid Rewards Premier charges around $99 per year. These fees are charged to your account each year on your card anniversary.
The higher-tier cards justify their fees with perks. Both the Plus and Premier waive the first checked bag fee for you and up to eight household members on the same reservation — a benefit worth $35 to $70 per round trip if you check bags. Both also include priority boarding, which lets you board earlier and choose better seat locations. The Premier card adds additional perks like a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and a higher sign-up bonus.
Calculate whether the annual fee pays for itself based on your flying habits. If you take two round trips per year and check a bag each time, the checked bag waiver alone saves you $140 to $280 annually, which covers the Plus card fee. If you fly less frequently or don't check bags, the standard no-fee card may be the better choice.
How to redeem points for flights
Log into your Southwest Airlines account online or through the mobile app and navigate to the Rapid Rewards section. Search for your desired flight using your departure city, destination, and travel dates. The search results show the point cost for each available flight — this varies by route, season, and demand, but Southwest publishes no blackout dates, so any available seat can be booked with points.
Select your flight and proceed to checkout. You can use points to cover the full ticket cost or combine points with a cash payment if you don't have enough points for the entire fare. Complete the booking and your confirmation will appear in your Southwest account when ready. You can check in online 24 hours before departure just as you would with a cash ticket.
Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, though airline tickets are typically the highest-value use of your points.
Comparing the three card versions
| Feature | Standard Card | Plus Card | Premier Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | None | ~$69 | ~$99 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | Lower amount | Higher amount | Highest amount |
| Checked Bag Waiver | No | Yes (you + 8 household members) | Yes (you + 8 household members) |
| Priority Boarding | No | Yes | Yes |
| Southwest Travel Credit | No | No | Yes (~$75 annually) |
| Points Earning Rate | 1x base, 2x Southwest flights | 1x base, 2x Southwest flights | 1x base, 3x Southwest flights |
What happens when you explore
You can start the process through Southwest Airlines' website or through the card issuer's site (Chase, which issues all three versions). The process asks for personal information including your name, address, Social Security number, and income. The issuer performs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily affects your credit score by a few points.
You'll receive a decision within minutes to a few business days. If you're approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, set up it through the issuer's website or app, then you can begin using it and earning points when ready. The sign-up bonus clock starts when you open the account, not when the physical card arrives, so note the opening date.
If you're denied, you can contact the issuer to understand why and may be able to reapply after addressing the issue — typically a low credit score or insufficient credit history. If you're approved but offered a lower credit limit than you expected, you can request an increase after six months of responsible use.
Things to know before you sign up
Points earned on the card are separate from points you earn by flying Southwest itself. If you book a flight with the credit card and also have a Rapid Rewards account number on the reservation, you earn points both ways — once from the card purchase and once from the flight itself. Make sure your Rapid Rewards account number is linked to your Southwest profile before you book.
The card's rewards are tied to Southwest Airlines only. If you fly other carriers regularly, you won't earn points on those flights, and you can't transfer Southwest points to other airline programs. This makes the card less flexible than some competitor cards that let you move points between airlines.
Annual fees are charged on your card anniversary each year. Set a reminder to review whether the card still makes sense for your travel plans, especially if your flying habits change. You can downgrade to the no-fee standard card at any time without closing the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Southwest frequent flyer to get this card?
No. You can open the card without an existing Rapid Rewards account. When you explore, you'll create one as part of the process. However, if you already have a Rapid Rewards account, make sure you link it to your credit card process so points post to the correct account.
What's the difference between points earned on the card and points earned by flying?
Card points come from purchases you make with the credit card. Flight points come from actually flying Southwest or buying tickets through their website. Both types of points go into the same Rapid Rewards account and can be combined to book flights. You earn both simultaneously if you book a Southwest flight using the credit card.
Can I use points to book flights for other people?
Yes. You can redeem your points to book a ticket for anyone. The ticket will be issued in that person's name, and they can check in and fly using it. You don't need to be traveling on the same reservation.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Rapid Rewards account even after you close the credit card. However, points expire if you don't earn or redeem at least once every 24 months. Closing the card doesn't reset this timer, but it does mean you won't earn new points from card purchases, so you'll need to fly Southwest or use another earning method to keep the account active.
Is there a limit to how many points I can earn or redeem?
No hard limit exists on points earned or redeemed. However, the point cost of flights changes based on demand and route, so the number of points needed for a ticket varies. You can hold as many points as you accumulate, and there's no maximum balance.