Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
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Key Takeaways
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is the entry-level co-branded Southwest card from Chase. At $69 per year, it's the cheapest way to earn Rapid Rewards points on everyday spending while scoring perks like 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins, a 3,000-point anniversary bonus, and a 50,000-point welcome bonus. For occasional Southwest flyers who want to dip into the Rapid Rewards ecosystem without a $149 commitment, the Plus card is the clear starting point.
Card Overview
Southwest Plus Card Benefits
- 3,000 anniversary points every year on your cardmember anniversary
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In credits per year ($30+ value)
- 25% back on in-flight Wi-Fi and drink purchases
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases — wait, this card DOES have a 3% FX fee. For international use, choose the Priority card instead.
How to Earn Rapid Rewards Points
Companion Pass Strategy
Southwest Companion Pass lets a designated companion fly with you for free (excluding taxes/fees) on every Southwest flight once you earn 135,000 points in a calendar year. The Plus card's 50,000-point welcome bonus covers 37% of that requirement. Combine the bonus with 2x Southwest spending, the 3,000 anniversary points, and strategic timing (earn the bonus in Q4 to spread the pass across two calendar years) and you can hit Companion Pass within 12 months of opening the card.
How Much Are 50,000 Southwest Points Worth?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth approximately 1.3 to 1.5 cents each on Wanna Get Away fares. That makes 50,000 points worth about $650 to $750 in free Southwest travel. Two typical Wanna Get Away domestic round-trips of $325 each can be fully covered by the welcome bonus.
Southwest Plus vs. Priority vs. Premier
Credit Score Requirements
Chase generally approves the Southwest Plus card for applicants with a credit score of 690 or higher. Chase's 5/24 rule applies: if you've opened 5 or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, you'll likely be declined regardless of score. First-time Southwest cardholders with 700+ scores have the highest approval odds.
Who Should Get This Card
Choose the Plus card if you fly Southwest 1–3 times per year, live near a Southwest hub, and want to earn Companion Pass without committing to a $149 annual fee. Skip it if you travel internationally (the 3% FX fee hurts), fly Southwest 5+ times per year (Priority is better value), or want lounge access (no Southwest card offers this).