What the Southwest bonus actually gives you
Southwest Airlines credit cards offer a sign-up bonus that comes as a statement credit or points toward flights, not as cash back. The bonus size depends on which card you choose and when you open it — Southwest runs different offers throughout the year. Most commonly, the bonus is worth between 40,000 and 75,000 points, though this varies by card and timing.
Points convert to flights at a rate that depends on the route and how far in advance you book. A point is worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents per mile when you redeem it for a ticket, though some routes and booking windows offer better value. The bonus alone typically covers a domestic round trip or a one-way flight to Hawaii, depending on the route and current pricing.
Unlike some airline cards, Southwest bonuses do not expire as long as your account stays open. However, the points themselves expire after 24 months of account inactivity — meaning you need to use your card or the points at least once every two years to keep them.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest sign-up bonuses range from 40,000 to 75,000 points depending on the card and offer timing, typically worth one domestic round trip or a Hawaii flight.
- You earn the bonus by meeting a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually $1,000 to $3,000 in the first three months.
- Points are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents per mile when redeemed for flights, but value varies by route and how far ahead you book.
- Southwest has multiple cards with different bonuses and annual fees — the best choice depends on whether you fly Southwest regularly enough to offset the fee.
- Points do not expire as long as your account is open, but they vanish if you do not use your card or redeem points for 24 months.
How you earn the bonus and what it costs
You receive the bonus only after you spend a minimum amount on the card within a specific window — usually three months. That minimum is typically $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the card. If you do not reach the spending threshold by the important date, you do not receive the bonus.
Every Southwest card carries an annual fee, ranging from $69 to $99. Some cards waive the first-year fee, while others charge it when ready. You need to factor this fee into whether the bonus is worth the card's cost. If you do not plan to use the card after the first year, the bonus needs to be large enough to cover the annual fee plus give you value beyond that.
Beyond the sign-up bonus, you earn points on every purchase — typically 1 point per dollar spent on most purchases, with bonus categories on Southwest flights and partner purchases. These ongoing points add up over time and can fund additional trips if you keep the card open and active.
Which Southwest card offers the biggest bonus
Southwest currently offers three main credit cards: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Classic, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier. Each has a different sign-up bonus and annual fee structure. The specific bonus amounts change throughout the year, so the "best" offer shifts depending on when you explore.
The Classic card typically has the lowest annual fee and smallest bonus, making it the entry point for occasional Southwest flyers. The Plus and Premier cards have higher annual fees but larger bonuses and additional perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. If you fly Southwest multiple times per year, the higher fee may pay for itself through the perks alone.
Southwest occasionally runs limited-time offers that boost the bonus temporarily. These offers are not permanent, so the bonus you see today may not be available next month. Checking Southwest's website directly or calling their card services line will show you the current offer for each card.
When the bonus is worth more than the fee
A $75 annual fee makes sense only if you get at least $75 in value from the card beyond the sign-up bonus. That value comes from the perks (free checked bags, priority boarding, anniversary points) and the ongoing points you earn on everyday spending. If you fly Southwest at least twice per year and put regular spending on the card, the fee usually pays for itself.
If you fly Southwest only once per year or less, the annual fee becomes harder to justify. In that case, you might use the card only to earn the sign-up bonus, then close it or downgrade to a no-fee card. Some people keep the card open for the anniversary bonus points Southwest gives each year, which can cover the fee if you value those points at their typical redemption rate.
The bonus itself is most valuable if you have a specific trip planned within the next few months. Booking that trip with your bonus points means you are not paying cash for a ticket you would have bought anyway. If you are unsure whether you will fly Southwest in the near term, the bonus sits unused and the annual fee becomes a pure cost.
How to use your bonus points strategically
Points are most valuable on routes where Southwest's pricing is high relative to other airlines. Domestic routes during peak travel times (holidays, summer) tend to offer better point value than off-peak routes. Hawaii flights are consistently expensive to book with cash, so redeeming points there often gives you more value per point.
Booking further in advance typically gives you lower point prices on the same route. Southwest releases its schedule about six months out, and prices in points tend to drop as the travel date approaches — the opposite of cash fares. If you have flexibility on dates, checking prices across a range of days can show you which flights cost fewer points.
Southwest allows you to hold a reservation for up to 24 hours without paying, and you can change your reservation to a different date or route without penalty. This means you can book your bonus points speculatively, then adjust or cancel if your plans change. Using this feature lets you lock in a point price without committing to a specific date.
Comparing the bonus to other airline cards
Other airline cards offer sign-up bonuses in the same range as Southwest — typically 40,000 to 75,000 points or miles. The difference is in what those points are worth and how flexible they are. Southwest points work only on Southwest flights, while American, United, and Delta miles can be used on partner airlines and for other travel purchases like hotels and car rentals.
Southwest has no blackout dates for award flights, meaning you can book any available seat with points. Most other airlines have blackout dates or charge more points during peak travel times. This makes Southwest points more predictable in value, though potentially less flexible in how you use them.
If you fly multiple airlines or want the option to use miles for non-flight purchases, a general travel rewards card or a different airline card may offer more value. If you fly Southwest regularly and want simplicity, the Southwest bonus is straightforward — you earn points, you book flights, you travel.
What happens to your bonus if you close the card
Once you receive the sign-up bonus, it is yours to keep even if you close the card later. The points sit in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and remain there as long as you do not let the account go inactive for 24 months. Closing the card does not erase the points.
However, closing the card does mean you stop earning points on new purchases and lose access to the card's perks. If you plan to close the card after earning the bonus, make sure you have a plan to use those points within 24 months. If you let the account sit unused for two years, Southwest will cancel your account and erase your points.
Some people keep the card open but inactive specifically to preserve their points balance. As long as you use the card or redeem points at least once every 24 months, your account stays active and your points do not expire. This can be as straightforward as a small purchase once a year or redeeming a single point toward a flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spend the minimum to get the bonus?
Yes. You receive the bonus only after you meet the minimum spending requirement within the stated timeframe. If you spend $2,500 and the requirement is $3,000, you do not receive the bonus. Some cards allow you to meet the requirement through multiple purchases or transfers, so check the specific terms.
Can I get the bonus more than once?
Southwest's current rules allow you to earn a sign-up bonus once every 24 months per card product. You can hold multiple Southwest cards at the same time and earn a bonus on each one, but you cannot earn the same card's bonus twice within 24 months of your last bonus.
What if I do not fly Southwest often?
If you fly Southwest fewer than two times per year, the annual fee is difficult to justify. You could earn the bonus once, use it for a trip, then close the card or downgrade to a no-fee version. The bonus itself is still valuable even if you do not keep the card long-term.
Are the points worth the same on every flight?
No. The same route costs different numbers of points depending on demand, how far ahead you book, and the specific flight. A flight to Denver might cost 8,000 points one day and 12,000 points the next. Checking prices across multiple dates helps you find the best point value.
What if my points expire?
Points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. If your account goes inactive, Southwest sends a notice before canceling it. You can reactivate an account by using your card or redeeming points, even a single point, before the important date. Once the account is canceled, the points are gone permanently.