Key Insights at a Glance
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card boasts the most modest annual fee among all Southwest-issued cards, rewarding you with 2X points on Southwest flights and more.
- If Southwest is your go-to airline and you’d rather dodge hefty yearly fees, this card could be your best companion.
- However, if flying isn’t your frequent gig or you crave the freedom to pick any airline, then a cashback or broad-spectrum travel rewards card might better suit your style.
For travelers frequently jetting to major U.S. hubs—particularly when your itinerary revolves around destinations west of the Mississippi—Southwest Airlines often emerges as a favored option.
With a myriad of travel cards flooding the market, pinpointing whether the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card lines up with your needs can feel like decoding a puzzle.
Here, we’ll dissect the scenarios when this card fits the bill or falls short, peppered with some candid reflections on the Rapid Rewards program.
Who Should Consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card?
In the crowded arena of credit cards—from cash back champions to travel mileage beasts—there’s one tailor-made for frequent users of Southwest’s network. Let’s break down why some folks find the Rapid Rewards Plus card a no-brainer.
Your Wallet Loves Spending on Flights, Hotels, and Transit
Seasoned travelers who rack up payment on flights and travel essentials can rake in points effortlessly with this card, earning rewards on purchases they’d make anyway.
Here’s the rundown for cardholders:
- Double points (2X) on Southwest Airlines® ticket purchases.
- 2X points at gas stations and grocery stores on combined spending up to $5,000 annually.
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
What’s more, points earned via Rapid Rewards never expire— stash them for a big trip or cash them in whenever wanderlust strikes.
Seeking Travel Rewards Without Breaking the Bank on Annual Fees?
Compared to some travel cards carrying eyebrow-raising fees—for instance, one charging $695 annually but rewarding you with a welcome bonus valuing $1,500—this card scales down the costs while still keeping you in the rewards game.
On top of that, each cardmember enjoys 3,000 bonus points every year on their account anniversary, carrying an approximate worth of $45.
Additional insight: Southwest operates a fleet primarily around the U.S. with routes that cover over 100 destinations, transporting tens of millions of passengers annually. This expansive network amplifies the value of airline-specific rewards for frequent domestic flyers heading westward.
When Might This Card Not Be Your Best Bet?
Deciding against the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card usually boils down to this: you might discover another card aligns more snugly with your travel habits or spending preferences.
Here’s a glimpse at who might want to look elsewhere.
Prepared to Shell Out More Annual Fees for Juicier Southwest Rewards?
Southwest serves up five credit cards—three for personal use and two for businesses—each varying in cost and rewards haul. If you crave more rewards and can stomach a heftier price tag, other Southwest cards might win your heart.
| Rapid Rewards Plus | $99 |
|
100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 5 months 3,000 point anniversary bonus |
| Rapid Rewards Plus Business | $149 |
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100,000 bonus points after $4,000 spend in 5 months 6,000 point anniversary bonus |
| Rapid Rewards Premier | $229 |
|
100,000 bonus points post $4,000 spend in 5 months 7,500 point anniversary bonus |
More Attached to Chase than to Southwest Airlines?
Since Chase issues the Southwest cards and a slew of other travel options, if banking with Chase is your thing but Southwest isn’t your top choice for flying, alternative Chase cards might be a smarter match.
Worth noting: Southwest Rapid Rewards is a transfer partner with Chase. That means you can accumulate points on a Chase travel card and later shuffle them over to your Southwest account, feeding your travel kitty indirectly.
Prefer Cold Hard Cash Over Travel Points?
If your jetting days are rare but you enjoy dining out, catching shows, or simply covering day-to-day essentials, cashback cards may tick your boxes better.
Many mid-tier cashback cards with no yearly fees dish out between 1% to 10% back on purchases—sometimes with rotating bonus categories—and often extend cashback on travel booked through the card issuer’s channels when you do need to hit the skies.
Wrapping It Up
With the lowest annual fee among Southwest’s credit card lineup, the Rapid Rewards Plus card offers a modest rewards rate that’s ideal if you call Southwest your preferred airline but don’t require premium card perks.
Beyond plastic, you can also snag Southwest points through their online shopping portal without holding a co-branded card—just sign up for free in the Rapid Rewards program to start stacking points.
Note: Bankrate independently compiled the details regarding the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card; these specifics have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.