What the Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa card does

The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase. When you use it to make purchases, you earn points toward Southwest flights instead of cash back. You also get a one-time bonus of points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — the exact bonus changes, so check the current offer before you open the account.

The card charges an annual fee. You pay this fee once per year whether you use the card or not. In exchange, you get a companion pass benefit: after you meet the annual spending requirement, Southwest gives you a free ticket (minus taxes and fees) for someone else to fly with you on any Southwest flight.

Southwest flights are priced by demand, not by distance, so the value of your points depends on when and where you want to fly. A flight that costs 6,000 points one week might cost 8,500 points the next week on the same route.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn one point per dollar spent on most purchases, with higher earning rates on Southwest purchases and at gas stations.
  • The annual fee is charged every year, and you must spend a set amount annually to unlock the companion pass benefit.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.
  • Southwest does not charge change or cancellation fees, which makes points more flexible than on airlines that charge to modify bookings.
  • The card is worth keeping only if you fly Southwest regularly or can use the companion pass benefit within a year.

How you earn points and what they're worth

You earn one point per dollar on everyday purchases. You earn two points per dollar when you buy directly from Southwest (flights, hotels booked through Southwest, car rentals through Southwest) and at gas stations. Some categories earn one point per dollar; check your cardholder agreement for the full list.

Points have no fixed dollar value. Instead, you redeem them for specific flights at specific prices set by Southwest. A short flight might cost 6,000 points; a cross-country flight might cost 10,000 or more. You can also transfer points to a companion, but you cannot convert them to cash or use them for anything other than Southwest travel.

The one-time sign-up bonus is usually 40,000 to 60,000 points, but this changes. You earn it by spending a required amount (often $1,000 to $2,000) within the first three months. If you do not meet the spending requirement, you do not receive the bonus.

The annual fee and companion pass benefit

The card charges an annual fee each year on your account anniversary. This fee is not waived in the first year — you pay it when you open the account. The exact amount varies; check your offer before you explore.

After you spend a certain amount in a calendar year (the threshold is set by Chase and changes periodically), Southwest automatically sends you a Companion Pass. This pass lets one other person fly free on any Southwest flight you book, for the rest of that calendar year and into the next. The companion pays only taxes and fees, which are usually $5 to $15 per flight.

The companion pass is the main reason people keep this card. If you fly Southwest multiple times per year and can bring someone with you, the pass often covers the annual fee cost many times over. If you fly once or twice per year alone, the annual fee is harder to justify.

How to redeem points for flights

Log into your Southwest account online or use the Southwest mobile app. Search for your flight as you normally would. When you see the price in points, you can choose to pay with points instead of a credit card. Southwest will deduct the points from your account and complete the booking.

You can also call Southwest directly to book with points. The phone number is on the back of your card and on Southwest's website. A representative will search for flights and process the redemption over the phone.

Points are deducted only when you complete the booking. If you search and see a price you do not like, you can close the browser or app without booking and your points stay in your account.

When points expire and how to keep them active

Southwest points do not expire as long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open. However, your account closes if you do not earn or redeem points for 24 consecutive months. Once the account closes, your points are gone and cannot be recovered.

To keep your account active, you need to use your card or your Rapid Rewards account at least once every two years. Using the card for any purchase counts. Redeeming points counts. Even transferring points to someone else counts. The activity does not have to be large — a single small purchase every 24 months keeps your account and points alive.

Annual spending requirement for the companion pass

To earn the companion pass each year, you must spend a set amount on the card during the calendar year (January through December). This amount is typically $25,000, but check your cardholder agreement because it can vary.

Only purchases on the card count toward this threshold. Payments, fees, and interest do not count. Once you hit the spending target, Southwest sends you the companion pass automatically — you do not have to request it or do anything else.

If you do not reach the spending threshold in a calendar year, you do not receive the companion pass for that year. You can still use your points to book flights, and you keep the card active, but you lose the main benefit that makes the annual fee worthwhile for most cardholders.

Comparing this card to other Southwest options

Southwest offers two other Visa cards: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier. All three are issued by Chase and earn points the same way. The differences are in the annual fee, the sign-up bonus, and the companion pass spending threshold.

The Plus card has a lower annual fee and a lower spending requirement for the companion pass, but a smaller sign-up bonus. The Premier card has a higher annual fee, a higher spending requirement, and a larger sign-up bonus. Choose based on how much you spend and how often you fly.

If you do not fly Southwest regularly, a cash-back card from another bank may be better. You would earn a fixed percentage back on all purchases instead of points that only work on one airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account as long as the account remains open. Closing the credit card does not close your Rapid Rewards account. However, if you do not use your Rapid Rewards account (by earning or redeeming points) for 24 months, Southwest closes the account and your points expire.

Can I use points to book flights for other people?

Yes. You can transfer points to another person's Rapid Rewards account, and they can use those points to book their own flights. You can also book a flight for someone else using your own points — you just need their name and confirmation details. The companion pass is different: it lets someone else fly free on flights you book.

Do I have to use the companion pass in the same year I earn it?

No. Southwest sends you the companion pass after you meet the spending requirement. You can use it anytime for the rest of that calendar year and all of the next calendar year. If you earn the pass in June, you have until December 31 of the following year to use it.

What if I spend less than the annual threshold — do I lose the card benefits?

You keep the card and can still use it to earn points and book flights. You straightforward do not receive the companion pass that year. The annual fee is still charged whether you meet the spending threshold or not.

Are there foreign transaction fees?

Yes. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. If you travel internationally and use the card, you will pay an extra percentage on top of the purchase price. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact rate.