Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
The welcome offer, the free bag and anniversary points, the seat and boarding benefits, the protection, and whether the $99 fee pays for itself.
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Airline cards · Chase
Welcome offer
50,000 points
Annual fee
$99
50,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Not available to anyone holding a Southwest personal card or who received a Southwest card bonus in the past 24 months.
Foreign transaction fees: NoneRewards: Southwest Rapid Rewards points
The Atelier Take
A sensible card for Southwest regulars; little to offer anyone else.
Who it suits
Southwest flyers who check a bag and want the benefit at the lowest fee.
Who should skip it
Anyone who rarely flies Southwest; the points are only useful there.
Annual benefits, and the catch
Anniversary points
3,000 points a year
About $38 at TPG’s 1.25¢ valuation.
10% flight discount
One promo code a year
Basic fares are excluded.
Standard seat
Within 48 hours of departure
Chosen in the 48 hours before departure only, subject to availability.
Instacart credit
Up to $120 a year
Purchases made directly through Instacart, only in months with an active Instacart+ membership (three months included, then paid unless canceled).
What it earns
Rewards: Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
2x
Southwest purchases
2x
Gas stations and grocery stores
First $5,000 of combined purchases each anniversary year
2x
Lyft rides
Through December 31, 2027
1x
Everything else
TPG values Rapid Rewards points at 1.25¢ each. Southwest award prices move with cash fares, so a point is worth roughly the same on most flights. Points do not expire, and Southwest still charges no change fees.
Southwest benefits
Free first checked bag
For the cardholder and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation. Chase puts the saving at $45 per bag per trip, up to $90 per round trip.
Group 5 boarding
For the cardholder and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation.
Companion Pass boost
10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year.
25% back in flight
On inflight purchases paid with the card.
DashPass
12 months free when activated by December 31, 2027, plus $10 off one non-restaurant DoorDash order each quarter while enrolled; DashPass then renews at the monthly rate unless canceled.
Will the $99 fee pay off?
Enter what would go on this card. The result values points at TPG’s valuation, adds the credits that would actually be used and, in year one, the welcome offer, then sets the total against a no-fee card that pays 2% back on everything.
1 · Spending on this card
Example figures are filled in; replace them with real ones.
Southwest flights and other Southwest purchases
2x
Gas2x on the first $5,000 of gas and groceries combined each year, then 1x
2x
GroceriesShares the $5,000 limit with gas
2x
Dining
1x
Hotels
1x
Everything else
1x
2 · Credits that would be used
Tick only what would be used anyway, at full value.
3 · Assumptions
The result
Not counted: the yearly 10% flight discount code, the Companion Pass boost, 2x on Lyft rides (counted as everything else) and DashPass.
Insurance and protections
Chase lists these on the card’s page; the Guide to Benefits has the full terms. Pay for the trip or purchase with the card to be covered.
Lost luggage
Up to $3,000 per traveler for lost, damaged or stolen bags.
Baggage delay
Up to $100 a day for 3 days for essentials when bags are delayed more than 6 hours.
Purchase protection
Damage or theft within 120 days of purchase, up to $500 per item.
Extended warranty
Adds one year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free checked bag now that Southwest charges for bags
- A low $1,000 spend for the welcome offer
- Helps toward the Companion Pass
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Earn rates are low
- Points only useful on Southwest
- The Priority card adds better seats
Card terms change often and some offers are personalized; the issuer’s page is the final word.