Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
- Southwest is offering elevated welcome bonuses on three personal credit cards: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (offer ends 12/11/2023)
- These points count toward Southwest Airlines Companion Pass earning requirements
Southwest Airlines is offering 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (offer ends 12/11/2023).
This elevated welcome bonus is available on all three personal credit cards:
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- And the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.
Aside from offering the same sign-up bonus, each of these cards offers different benefits and perks.
Here’s what you should know about these credit cards as well as this welcome offer. We’ll also tell you why this bonus can be your gateway to one of the most valuable rewards in the travel industry.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
- Earns Southwest points on every purchase
- You get 3,000 points every year after your cardmember anniversary
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Very limited benefits
Product Details
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
- You get 6,000 points each year after anniversary
- You can earn Tier-Qualifying Points toward Southwest elite status for spending on the card
- Annual fee
Product Details
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 6,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
- Generous annual benefits, including a Southwest travel credit and 7,500 points, plus upgraded boardings and in-flight discounts
- If you fly Southwest several times a year, the benefits easily outweigh the annual fee
- Annual fee is low compared to other premium airline credit cards
- Highest annual fee among Southwest consumer cards
Product Details
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Which Southwest credit card should you get?
If you’ve been considering a Southwest credit card for some time, you’re in the right place. Choosing between the three credit cards will come down to personal preference and spending habits, as well as your travel needs.
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is the holy grail of free travel for many U.S. travelers. This coveted benefit allows you to fly a friend or family member for just the cost of airfare taxes and fees, as long as you fly together on the same route. The Companion Pass even applies to flights booked on Rapid Rewards points, meaning that you and your boo can get away for less than it costs to buy pumpkin spice lattes for two.
You’ll need to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points or fly 100 eligible one-way flights in a calendar year in order to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. While it may be daunting to consider earning so many points in 365 days or less, this welcome bonus can get you more than halfway to that goal.
Points that qualify for Companion Pass status are earned from:
- Booking flights
- Earning points issued on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards
- Earning points from Rapid Rewards partners
Points that do not qualify for the Companion Pass include:
- Purchased points
- Points transferred between Rapid Rewards members
- Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs
- Points converted from e-Rewards, e-Miles, Valued Opinions, and Diners Club
- Points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment
- Tier bonus points
- Flight bonus points
- Partner bonus points
How this welcome bonus helps you toward Companion Pass status
Once you earn the Southwest Companion Pass, it’s effective for the rest of the calendar year, as well as for the following year. This means that if you earn the Companion Pass today, you’ll receive 14 months of Companion Pass benefits through the remainder of 2023, as well as all of 2024.
But if you sign up for one of these Southwest Rapid Rewards card today and wait to earn your sign-up bonus and additional required qualifying points in early 2024, you’ll earn the Companion Pass for both 2024 and 2025. If you time everything correctly, you could potentially enjoy nearly 24 months of free travel for a partner, child or best friend.
Earning the rest of the points you need
Signing up for a Southwest business credit card at the same time you apply for a personal card is one of the easiest ways to quickly earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points. While you can only have one Southwest personal card at a time, you are allowed to have one personal card as well as one or both small-business credit cards at the same time. And if you have a side hustle, resell your belongings on Poshmark or eBay or dogwalk for extra income, that may be all you need to qualify for a small-business credit card.
If you stick with the personal Southwest card, you’ll need to come up with a number of additional points to qualify for a Companion Pass. Here are some ways to get there:
Other ideas include booking hotels through Southwest Hotels, renting cars through Southwest Book a Car, or signing up for Rapid Rewards Dining and eating out at participating restaurants.
Credit: Source link