What the Southwest Rapid Rewards Card Does
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card is issued by Chase and earns points on every purchase you make. Those points convert into Southwest airline tickets, seat upgrades, and checked baggage fees. You earn points whether you fly Southwest or not — the card works as a general spending card, and the rewards are specific to Southwest.
The card comes in two versions: the Performance Business card and the Personal card. Both earn the same rewards rate, but the business version has different annual fees and bonus structures. This guide covers the personal version, which is the one most individual travelers use.
Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, you can use Southwest points for any Southwest flight at any time the airline has seats available. You are not locked into blackout dates the way some older airline programs worked. Points do not expire as long as your account stays active.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else, with no category caps or restrictions.
- You pay an annual fee (the amount varies by year and offer), but new cardholders typically receive a sign-up bonus worth more than the first year's fee.
- Southwest points book flights directly through Southwest.com at the same price as cash tickets, so you are not paying a premium to use points.
- The card includes two free checked bags per year for the cardholder and one companion, which alone can save $240 to $480 annually on Southwest flights.
- Points transfer to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account when ready after purchase, so you can track your balance in real time.
How Points Earn and What They Are Worth
Every dollar you spend on the card generates points. On Southwest purchases — airline tickets, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases — you earn 2 points per dollar. On all other purchases, you earn 1 point per dollar. There are no bonus categories that reset monthly, no spending caps, and no categories that earn less.
The value of a point depends on the flight you book. Southwest does not publish a fixed cents-per-point value. Instead, you see the point cost when you search for a flight on Southwest.com. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 8,000 points; a longer cross-country flight might cost 10,000 to 15,000 points. The same flight booked with cash and the same flight booked with points cost the same dollar amount — Southwest does not charge a premium for using points.
You can also use points for seat upgrades (called "Upgraded Boarding"), which typically cost 1,500 to 3,000 points per flight. Checked baggage fees for non-cardholders cost $35 per bag; you can pay points instead if you prefer, though most people use the free checked bags that come with the card.
Annual Fee and Sign-Up Bonus
The card charges an annual fee. The exact amount changes based on current offers, so check the Chase website for the current year's rate before you explore. New cardholders typically receive a sign-up bonus that covers the first year's fee and then some.
Sign-up bonuses are usually structured as "earn X points after you spend Y dollars in the first three months." The bonus points are added to your account once you meet the spending requirement, and they count toward your total balance when ready. If the bonus is worth more than the annual fee, you come out ahead in year one even if you never use the card again.
After the first year, you pay the annual fee every year the account stays open. You can close the account anytime without penalty. Some people keep the card for the free checked bags alone (which pay for the fee if you fly Southwest twice a year), and some close it after the first year if they do not fly often.
Free Checked Bags and Other Cardholder Benefits
The card includes two free checked bags per flight for you and one companion traveling on the same reservation. On Southwest, the first checked bag is free for all passengers, but the second bag normally costs $35. This benefit alone saves $70 per round trip if you travel with luggage and a companion, or $35 per round trip if you travel alone.
You also receive priority boarding, which means you board earlier than passengers without the card. On Southwest, earlier boarding means better seat selection and overhead bin space. The card also gives you a small points bonus on your account anniversary each year — usually 3,000 points — just for keeping the card open.
The card does not include travel insurance, lounge access, or other premium benefits that come with higher-tier airline cards. It is designed as a straightforward rewards card for Southwest travelers, not a luxury travel card.
How to Use Points to Book a Flight
Log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Search for a flight the same way you would if paying with cash. When you see the flight you want, you will see both the cash price and the points price displayed side by side. Select the points option and complete the booking. The points are deducted from your account when ready, and you receive a confirmation email with your booking reference.
You can book a flight for yourself or for someone else using your points. If you book for another person, that person does not need to be a Rapid Rewards member, though they will need to provide their name and contact information. You can also transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member, though transfers are not instantaneous and come with a small fee.
Points never expire as long as your Rapid Rewards account is active. Your account stays active as long as you have account activity — which includes earning or redeeming points, or flying Southwest — at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive, Southwest may close it and you will lose your points.
Comparing This Card to Other Southwest Cards
Chase offers a Southwest Business card with the same earning rate but different benefits and fees. The business card is designed for people who use Southwest for work travel and want to separate business and personal spending. The earning rate is identical, so the choice comes down to whether you need a business card structure and which annual fee and bonus offer is better at the time you explore.
Other airlines offer similar cards through Chase and other issuers. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel rewards card might earn more value than locking into Southwest. If you fly Southwest most of the time but occasionally fly other carriers, a card that earns points across multiple airlines might be worth considering. The Southwest card is best if Southwest is your primary airline.
When the Card Makes Financial Sense
The card pays for itself if you fly Southwest at least once or twice a year and check a bag. The free checked bags alone cover the annual fee. If you never fly Southwest, the card has no value — points only work for Southwest travel.
If you fly Southwest frequently (more than four times a year), the card usually pays for itself many times over through points earned on tickets plus the free bag benefit. If you fly once a year or less, you need to decide whether the sign-up bonus is worth the annual fee in year two and beyond.
The card also makes sense if you spend a lot on non-Southwest purchases and want to accumulate points slowly over time. One point per dollar on all spending adds up, even if you do not fly often. A person who spends $20,000 a year on the card earns 20,000 points, which is roughly two domestic round-trip flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fly Southwest to use this card?
No. You earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases, whether you ever fly Southwest or not. The card works as a regular spending card. However, the points only have value if you eventually use them for Southwest flights or upgrades. If you never fly Southwest, the points are worthless and the annual fee is a pure cost.
Can I transfer points to another airline or use them for something other than flights?
Southwest points are only for Southwest travel. You cannot transfer them to other airlines, use them for hotel stays, or convert them to cash. You can transfer points to another Southwest Rapid Rewards member, but they still must be used for Southwest flights or upgrades.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. Closing the card does not delete your points. However, if your Rapid Rewards account becomes inactive (no activity for 24 months), Southwest may close the account and you will lose the points. Keep your account active by flying Southwest or earning points on the card occasionally.
Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?
No. There are no caps on earning. You can earn as many points as you want, and there is no maximum balance. Points accumulate until you use them or your account closes.
Can I use points to book flights for other people?
Yes. You can book a flight for anyone using your points. The person does not need to be a Rapid Rewards member or a family member. You straightforward provide their name and contact information when you book. You can also transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member, though there is a small fee for transfers.