Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Review
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If you book Southwest flights frequently, you should consider Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. This card enables users to earn Rapid Rewards on all purchases and bonus rewards for Southwest purchases. The card also comes with a bonus offer and plenty of travel perks.
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What is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Cardd is a rewards credit card offered by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can earn Rapid Rewards points with Southwest that can be redeemed for flights by using the card. This card is aimed at borrowers with good to excellent credit scores and has a regular APR of 21.49%-28.49%.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
How does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card work?
You’ll need to apply through the Chase website to get the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. If you already have an account with Chase, you can sign in to speed up the application process. Otherwise, you can apply as a guest.
You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself, including your name, social security number, and income.
Once you submit your application, there’s a chance that you might be automatically approved. Otherwise, you’ll typically have to wait several weeks to hear back from Chase. If your application is approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail shortly after.
How much does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card cost?
The card comes with an annual fee of $69. The card comes with a late or returned payment fee of up to $40.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card features
This card has plenty of great features, like Southwest points, a welcome bonus, and travel perks.
Points
This travel credit card offers 2 points for every $1 you spend on Southwest purchases and 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases. Using this card can help you to earn enough points to cover the cost of your next flight. Since the card consistently earns at least 1 point per dollar, with no upper spending limit, it’s a great card for everyday purchases if you’re saving up for travel.
In addition to these points, new cardholders can enjoy 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, transit and internet/cable/phone, and select streaming services. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1.
Anniversary bonus
The bonus points don’t end with the welcome bonus—cardholders also earn additional anniversary points for each card member anniversary. Users can earn 3,000 additional bonus points each year.
Travel perks
As an airline-affiliated credit card, it makes sense that the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card comes with some great travel perks. This includes two free checked bags, a $0 change fee, two EarlyBird Check-In each year, and no hidden travel fees. The card also comes with lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000, baggage delay insurance of up to $100 a day, and purchase protection. Regular flyers can also unlock a companion pass if they earn enough points.
Flexible redemption options
Most people use this card to redeem points for Southwest purchases, but that’s not the only way that you can take advantage of the rewards program. You can also use them to purchase hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, and merchandise.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card best for?
People who like Southwest
Airline credit cards are great for people who already have a preferred airline. If you’re already a frequent flyer with Southwest, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a great choice for you and your family. Earn rewards on everyday purchases, and exchange them for flights.
People who travel frequently
This card is best suited to frequent travelers. If you only hop on a plane every couple of years, there aren’t as many lucrative redemption options for this card. On the other hand, if you travel regularly, there are plenty of opportunities to reap this card's benefits.
Who shouldn’t use the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card?
People who don’t travel often
This card might not be the best fit if you’re not a huge traveler (and mainly if you don’t often travel by plane). You should consider a cash-back rewards card or a card with spending categories that reward your particular spending patterns, like groceries, gas, or online shopping.
People who aren’t brand-loyal
If you’re constantly scouring different airlines looking for the best deal, this card probably won’t work best for you since redemption options are geared towards flights with Southwest. It also might not be a good fit if Southwest doesn’t frequently operate in your area or where you usually travel.
People with bigger budgets
Suppose you don’t mind a slightly higher annual fee. In that case, other Southwest rewards credit cards pack a bigger bang for your buck in terms of rewards and perks, like the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rewards all spending. Earn at least 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases, with no upper limit.
- Flexible redemption options. Redeem rewards for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and more.
- Travel perks. Check up to two bags for free, enjoy a $0 change fee and get protection for lost or delayed luggage.
- Low fee. This card has the lowest fees among Southwest rewards credit cards.
Cons
- Rewards rates. Rates aren’t as high as some other cards.
- Geared toward travel. If you don’t travel frequently, this card isn’t a great fit.
- Fewer perks than other Southwest cards. While it does have a lower fee, it also has fewer perks and rewards than the Premier and Priority cards.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. competitors
Card | Rewards | Annual fee | APR |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Receive 3,000 anniversary points each year. Enjoy benefits including 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 2 Early Bird Check-In® each year, 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year, and more. | $69 | 21.49%-28.49% |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. | $95 | 21.49%-28.49% |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. | $695 | 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Card Name
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.49%-28.49%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards Rate
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus points offered.
- High points for travel and dining purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and points on all purchases.
- Complimentary one-year access to DashPass.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Card Name
The Platinum Card® from American Express
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$695
Special Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Why We Like It
- Generous introductory bonus points.
- Advanced points on travel purchases.
- Up to $189 back per calendar year on CLEAR®.
FAQs
Does this card have blackout dates?
There are no blackout dates for redeeming points for flights.
Does this card come with an annual fee?
There is an annual fee of $69 that is applied to the first billing statement. However, most cardholders can more than make up that fee with the card’s rewards.
Do points expire?
Rapid Rewards points never expire, so you can continue to use them as part of the Rapid Rewards program as long as your card is still open and in good standing.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
The bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is a great option if you're a Southwest loyalist and frequent traveler. This card has the lowest annual fee among Southwest cards, a generous sign-up bonus, and a lucrative rewards system. However, if you can cover the higher annual fee, there are also Southwest rewards cards with even more benefits available. Borrowers interested in the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card should consider the Southwest Premier and Priority cards.
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JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Writer
Margaret Wack covers personal finance and small business and has appeared on MoneyUnder30, The Simple Dollar and Interest.com.
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