Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card overview

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) has the lowest annual fee of any Southwest Airlines credit card on the market, which is either a strength or a weakness, depending on how you look at it. While the $99 annual fee is affordable, the Southwest Plus card lacks the perks offered by its higher-priced counterparts to keep you interested past the initial welcome bonus. Card rating*:

* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

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In a hobby that feels dominated by ultrapremium credit cards with $550-plus annual fees and laundry lists of luxury perks, it’s hard to imagine that a cobranded airline credit card with a $99 annual fee might be valuable to loyal Southwest Airlines customers.

However, the Southwest Plus card does make sense for some flyers, in some cases.

This card, along with the other four cobranded Southwest cards, was recently refreshed. The Southwest Plus card refresh included expanded day-of-travel benefits and updated bonus category earnings. In addition to these changes, there was an approximate 44% annual fee increase to $99.

It’s also important to note that Southwest is in the middle of sweeping changes, including to its boarding process, bag fees and seat assignments.

We typically recommend that applicants have a credit score of 670 or above to increase their chances of approval.

Let’s look at how the Southwest Plus card and its perks measure up against its higher-end siblings.

Related: How to choose an airline credit card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Bonus points each year after your cardmember anniversary Baggage delay insurance Extended-warranty and purchase protection No foreign transaction fees	Fewer points on Southwest purchases compared to other Southwest personal cards Annual fee Limited flight redemptions

Related: Credit cards 101: The beginners guide

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card welcome offer

New Southwest Plus cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.

According to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the 100,000 points included in this welcome offer are worth $1,400. This is the highest points welcome offer we’ve seen on this card without a Companion Pass.

If you have someone who regularly travels with you, you may want to wait for an offer that includes the Companion Pass, as it can add significantly more value for you.

Keep in mind you may have the chance to earn the welcome bonus and a Companion Pass (depending on how much you spend) since you’d be 114,000* points closer to the 135,000 points needed to earn a Companion Pass.

*This total is based on the 100,000 points you’d earn from the welcome bonus, plus the additional 4,000 points you’d receive from the spending requirement and the boost of 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points you’d also earn.

Before you rush to apply for this card, there are two application rules to remember. First, the Southwest Plus card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more new credit card accounts (from any bank, not just Chase) in the past 24 months, you likely won’t be approved for this card.

Another limitation applies specifically to Southwest credit cards. If you have any personal Southwest credit card — or earned a welcome bonus on a personal Southwest card in the last 24 months — you won’t be eligible for the bonus on this card.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card benefits

The Southwest Plus card offers perks beyond the welcome bonus. It’s important to note that current cardholders will receive all their current benefits until Dec. 31.

You’ll enjoy the following ongoing benefits in exchange for the card’s $99 annual fee:

• Free checked bag: Receive the first checked bag for cardholders and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation.
• Standard seat selection: Cardholders receive complimentary standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure for you and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. Given that seat selection now comes with a charge, this perk can be extremely valuable depending on how frequently you fly Southwest.
• Two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins: Receive two complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins (for flights operating in 2025; ends Dec. 31). Given these check-ins can cost up to $99 each, using just one could potentially cover the card’s annual fee in 2025.
• Priority boarding: Cardholders receive Group 5 priority (for 2026 and beyond) for themselves and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. If you have A-List status, you will be able to board with an earlier group.
• Anniversary bonus: Cardholders receive 3,000 bonus points each account anniversary year, worth $42 according to TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
• Boost of 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points annually: Cardholders receive a 10,000-point boost toward a Companion Pass each year.
• 25% inflight savings: Cardholders receive 25% back (as a statement credit) after using their card to purchase inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.
• Flight discount code: Cardholders receive one promotional 10% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares).

Southwest Plus cardholders will receive the following purchase and travel protections:

Earning points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

With the Southwest Plus card, you’ll earn:

• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores, on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per year (a 2.8% return, based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases (2.8% return)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing services (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on internet, cable and phone services; 2 points per dollar spent on select streaming services (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (1.4% return)

It’s important to note that current cardholders will receive the current and new earning rates until Dec. 31.

This card now has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s a good option for making purchases abroad.

These are decent earning rates for a cobranded airline card, but the earning rate on Southwest purchases is lower than that of the other personal Southwest cards. If your main motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus points on your Southwest purchases, you’ll probably want to go with one of those instead.

Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Redeeming points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Redeem the Rapid Rewards points you earn on the Southwest Plus card for Southwest flights to get the best value from them.

Rapid Rewards also offers other redemption options, including gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, rental cars and travel experiences. However, the redemption values on these options are much lower than what you’ll get when using your points for Southwest flights.

Award pricing is tied to the cash price of the tickets. So, the number of points you need will go up or down depending on the cash price of the flight. The positive is that using your points for Southwest flights is almost always possible.

TPG Senior Director of Content Summer Hull redeemed 11,000 Rapid Rewards points to travel from Houston all the way to Lihue in Hawaii. Securing redemptions like these can make your points go even further.

Related: How to redeem points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program

Which cards compete with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

The Southwest Plus card’s most obvious competitors are the other Southwest credit cards. However, it’s also worth considering whether a general travel credit card might fit better in your wallet.

• If you want more Southwest benefits with a modest fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has solid perks to justify its $99 annual fee. These include 6,000 anniversary bonus points, two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year (for flights operating in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% back on inflight purchases and tier qualifying points toward A-List status. To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Premier card.
• If you fly Southwest regularly and want the most perks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) is the most premium personal Southwest credit card and has a $229 annual fee. It offers perks like 7,500 anniversary bonus points and an annual $75 Southwest travel credit (ends Dec. 31). To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Priority card.
• If you want more points that can be used with Southwest and in other ways: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a good choice for earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can redeem with Southwest and other airline and hotel partners. You’ll also get numerous travel protections, and the card has a $95 annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For more options, check out our full list of the best travel credit cards and best Chase credit cards.

Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card worth it?

The Southwest Plus card has the lowest annual fee of the Southwest credit cards at $99, so it’s a good option for those keeping annual fee costs low or just trying out Southwest. However, if you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of the other two personal cards will represent better value.

Bottom line

For only $99 per year, the Southwest Plus card allows you to earn enough points to make it well worth the annual fee. Plus, it comes with a handful of benefits, like standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag, that can justify keeping the card in your wallet every year.

However, if you fly with Southwest often, one of the other two Southwest cards will provide additional perks. Be sure to evaluate what’s best for you beyond simply looking at the annual fee.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers a couple of benefits that make flying American Airlines more pleasant. It’s also a great pick for anyone looking to diversify their loyalty portfolio.

Here are the top six reasons why you may want to add it to your wallet.

Sizable welcome offer

New Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases in the first four months of account opening.

Based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, AAdvantage miles are worth 1.55 cents each, making this welcome offer worth $1,240. From round-trip first-class flights to Alaska to one-way business-class flights to Europe or Asia, there are plenty of ways to make excellent use of those miles — especially when redeeming for partner awards in and out of the Oneworld Alliance.

TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed utilizes his AA miles toward long-haul redemptions, such as flying nonstop in business class from the West Coast to Tokyo on Japan Airlines (JAL) for 60,000 miles one-way or flying from the U.S. to Europe for 57,500 miles.

Free checked bags

The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select waives the first checked bag fee on domestic American Airlines-operated itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation.

While this benefit isn’t particularly unique to an airline credit card, it can be valuable for those without American Airlines elite status.

Since American charges $40 (or $35 if you pay online) for the first checked bag on domestic itineraries, it only takes three avoided first checked bag fees each year to offset the card’s $99 annual fee (which doesn’t kick in until your second year of card membership).

Best of all, the benefit becomes linked to your AAdvantage account, so you can still book and pay for your tickets any way you’d like.

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Preferred boarding

As a cardholder, you and up to four customers traveling on the same reservation will receive Preferred Boarding for your flights, which means you’ll board in Group 5.

This perk is especially beneficial when flying basic economy on American since it means you’ll have early access to overhead bin space and get to keep your usual carry-on allowance.

Ability to earn a $125 flight credit

The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card also offers a $125 American Airlines flight credit after you make $20,000 in purchases in a cardmember year and renew your card. Your card must remain open for one full billing cycle after your card renews to receive the credit.

The credit is redeemable for flights marketed by American Airlines and must be used on itineraries originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

25% off inflight purchases

If you frequently fly American domestically and purchase food or drinks on board, this benefit could save you some serious cash. You’ll get 25% savings — applied via a statement credit — each time you use your Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select to purchase inflight food and beverages.

Savings apply only to domestic flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American or any of American’s regional airlines.

Bonus miles at restaurants and gas stations

In addition to 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases, the card also offers 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and at gas stations.

According to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, American AAdvantage miles are worth 1.55 cents, so you’ll get a 3.1% return on eligible American Airlines purchases at gas stations and restaurants.

While these returns aren’t outstanding — and you can do better in each category with other cards — having bonus categories beyond extra points on AA purchases can come in handy when working to rack up AAdvantage miles.

Bottom line

The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select is the best option for occasional AA flyers and anyone looking to score valuable premium-cabin redemptions on American partners, such as Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Japan Airlines.

Besides the perks mentioned here, the card comes with some lesser-known benefits — including no foreign transaction fees — that apply when you use your card for purchases. If you frequently fly American Airlines and want elevated perks, this card is worth having.

Best of all, now is a great time to apply to take advantage of a solid welcome offer.

To learn more, check out our full review of the AAdvantage Platinum Select.

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Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

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Related: Ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage