Quick summary
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is Southwest’s entry-level cobranded card. For a $99 annual fee it delivers practical Southwest benefits — a free first checked bag, free standard seat selection near departure, Group 5 boarding, anniversary bonus points and a modest welcome offer — making it a solid pick for occasional Southwest flyers who want airline-specific perks without a high yearly cost.
Key facts
– Annual fee: $99
– Welcome offer: 80,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in the first three months
– Recommended credit score: ~670+ for better approval odds
– Rewards currency: Southwest Rapid Rewards points (best redeemed for Southwest flights)
Who this card is best for
– Travelers who fly Southwest a few times a year and want to offset baggage and seat selection costs.
– People who value simple, airline-specific perks rather than broad transferable points.
Main perks and protections
– Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight passengers on the same reservation (bag fees are typically $35 each way).
– Group 5 boarding for the cardholder and eligible companions.
– Free standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure.
– One annual 10% flight discount code (not valid on Basic fares).
– 25% back on inflight drink and Wi‑Fi purchases when paid with the card.
– 3,000 anniversary bonus Rapid Rewards points each year after account renewal.
– 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year toward the Companion Pass.
– Travel protections such as baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, extended warranty and purchase protection.
Earning structure
– 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases
– 2 points per $1 at gas stations and grocery stores (on the first $5,000 in combined purchases annually)
– 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
This is straightforward and rewards Southwest spending most heavily. If you want broader everyday returns or flexibility, a general travel or cash-back card could yield more value.
How to redeem
– Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when used for Southwest flights. Southwest uses dynamic award pricing, so point costs track cash fares. The trade-off is good award availability: seats for sale are generally bookable with points.
– Other redemptions (gift cards, hotels, rental cars, merchandise) usually give lower value than flights.
– Example redemption: TPG reported a round-trip Orlando–Aruba ticket booked for 38,500 points that would have cost about $800, implying ~2 cents per point — above the site’s typical valuation for Southwest points.
– If you want more transfer flexibility, consider a transferable-points card (for example, Chase Ultimate Rewards cards) that can move points to Southwest among other partners.
Pros
– Practical, easy-to-use Southwest perks that frequently offset the $99 fee (checking a bag on ~3 round trips a year covers the cost).
– Annual points and Companion Pass qualifying points add ongoing program progress.
– No foreign transaction fees and helpful purchase/travel protections.
Cons
– Fewer perks and lower earning rates than Southwest’s higher-tier cobranded cards (Priority, Premier).
– Limited value outside the Southwest ecosystem; not ideal if you fly many airlines.
– Subject to card-issuing rules: generally ineligible if you’ve opened five or more new cards in the past 24 months (Chase 5/24 rule) or if you’ve recently received a Southwest welcome bonus.
How it compares to higher-tier Southwest cards
– Southwest Priority and Premier cards have higher annual fees but stronger bonus categories, larger anniversary points, and additional long-term perks that frequent flyers will likely find worthwhile.
– Plus is a better fit for occasional Southwest users who want the key benefits without a premium fee.
When to apply
– The current welcome offer (80,000 points after $1,000 in the first three months) is a strong incentive; TPG values that offer roughly at $1,000. Check recent offer history before applying to see if it’s elevated.
– Keep in mind issuer restrictions (5/24 and recent Southwest card bonuses) when timing an application.
Alternatives to consider
– Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: higher fee, richer Southwest perks and larger anniversary bonuses for more frequent Southwest flyers.
– Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: mid-level option with a modestly higher fee and improved earning/anniversary benefits.
– Chase Sapphire Preferred: transferable Ultimate Rewards points that can move to Southwest and many other partners for greater flexibility.
– Capital One Venture X: premium, flexible travel rewards with lounges, travel credits and transfer partners if you want broader premium benefits.
Bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is a sensible, affordable option for travelers who fly Southwest occasionally and want concrete airline perks like a free first checked bag, free seat selection near departure and boarding priority. It’s easy to recoup the $99 fee if you check bags or use the other ongoing benefits, but frequent Southwest flyers will likely extract more long-term value from the airline’s higher-tier cards. If you want flexible points usable across many airlines and hotels, look at transferable-points cards instead.
