Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card overview
The Southwest Fast Rewards® Plus Credit score Card (see charges and charges) has the bottom annual price of any Southwest Airways bank card available on the market, which is both a energy or a weak spot, relying on the way you have a look at it. Whereas the $99 annual price is reasonably priced, the Southwest Plus card lacks the perks supplied by its higher-priced counterparts to maintain you previous the preliminary welcome bonus. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐
* Card ranking is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
In a interest that feels dominated by ultrapremium bank cards with $550-plus annual charges and laundry lists of luxurious perks, it is arduous to think about {that a} cobranded airline bank card with a $99 annual price could be invaluable to loyal Southwest Airways clients.
Nonetheless, the Southwest Plus card does make sense for some flyers, in some circumstances.
This card, together with the opposite 4 cobranded Southwest playing cards, was not too long ago refreshed. The Southwest Plus card refresh included expanded day-of-travel advantages and up to date bonus class earnings. Along with these adjustments, there was an approximate 44% annual price enhance to $99.
It is also essential to notice that Southwest is in the midst of sweeping adjustments, together with to its boarding course of, bag charges and seat assignments.
We usually advocate that candidates have a credit score rating of 670 or above to extend their probabilities of approval.
Let’s take a look at how the Southwest Plus card and its perks measure up towards its higher-end siblings.
Associated: How to decide on an airline bank card
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Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card professionals and cons
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Associated: Bank cards 101: The rookies information
Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card welcome supply
New Southwest Plus cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 5 months from account opening.
In keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the 100,000 factors included on this welcome supply are value $1,400. That is the very best factors welcome supply we have seen on this card with out a Companion Cross.
When you’ve got somebody who repeatedly travels with you, chances are you’ll need to look forward to a proposal that features the Companion Cross, as it could add considerably extra worth for you.
Consider you will have the prospect to earn the welcome bonus and a Companion Cross (relying on how a lot you spend) since you would be 114,000* factors nearer to the 135,000 factors wanted to earn a Companion Cross.
*This complete is predicated on the 100,000 factors you’d earn from the welcome bonus, plus the extra 4,000 factors you’d obtain from the spending requirement and the enhance of 10,000 Companion Cross-qualifying factors you’d additionally earn.
Earlier than you rush to use for this card, there are two utility guidelines to recollect. First, the Southwest Plus card is topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. For those who’ve opened 5 or extra new bank card accounts (from any financial institution, not simply Chase) previously 24 months, you doubtless will not be accepted for this card.
One other limitation applies particularly to Southwest bank cards. When you’ve got any private Southwest bank card — or earned a welcome bonus on a private Southwest card within the final 24 months — you will not be eligible for the bonus on this card.
Associated: The last word information to bank card utility restrictions
Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card advantages
The Southwest Plus card gives perks past the welcome bonus. It is essential to notice that present cardholders will obtain all their present advantages till Dec. 31.
You may get pleasure from the next ongoing advantages in trade for the cardboard’s $99 annual price:
- Free checked bag: Obtain the primary checked bag for cardholders and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation.
- Normal seat choice: Cardholders obtain complimentary customary seat choice inside 48 hours of departure for you and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation. On condition that seat choice now comes with a cost, this perk might be extraordinarily invaluable relying on how continuously you fly Southwest.
- Two annual EarlyBird Test-Ins: Obtain two complimentary EarlyBird Test-Ins (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31). Given these check-ins can value as much as $99 every, utilizing only one might probably cowl the cardboard’s annual price in 2025.
- Precedence boarding: Cardholders obtain Group 5 precedence (for 2026 and past) for themselves and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation. When you’ve got A-Listing standing, it is possible for you to to board with an earlier group.
- Anniversary bonus: Cardholders obtain 3,000 bonus factors every account anniversary 12 months, value $42 in accordance with TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
- Enhance of 10,000 Companion Cross-qualifying factors yearly: Cardholders obtain a ten,000-point enhance towards a Companion Cross annually.
- 25% inflight financial savings: Cardholders obtain 25% again (as an announcement credit score) after utilizing their card to buy inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.
- Flight low cost code: Cardholders obtain one promotional 10% flight low cost code every anniversary 12 months (excluding Primary fares).
Southwest Plus cardholders will obtain the next buy and journey protections:
Incomes factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card
With the Southwest Plus card, you may earn:
- New: 2 factors per greenback spent at fuel stations and grocery shops, on the primary $5,000 in mixed purchases per 12 months (a 2.8% return, based mostly on TPG’s July 2025 valuations)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on Southwest purchases (2.8% return)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on Fast Rewards resort and rental automotive companions (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting, together with ride-hailing providers (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on web, cable and cellphone providers; 2 factors per greenback spent on choose streaming providers (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases (1.4% return)
It is essential to notice that present cardholders will obtain the present and new incomes charges till Dec. 31.
This card now has no overseas transaction charges, so it is a good possibility for making purchases overseas.
These are respectable incomes charges for a cobranded airline card, however the incomes price on Southwest purchases is decrease than that of the opposite private Southwest playing cards. In case your foremost motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you may in all probability need to go together with a kind of as an alternative.
Associated: Are airline bank cards value it anymore?
Redeeming factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card
Redeem the Fast Rewards factors you earn on the Southwest Plus card for Southwest flights to get the most effective worth from them.
Fast Rewards additionally gives different redemption choices, together with present playing cards, merchandise, resort stays, rental vehicles and journey experiences. Nonetheless, the redemption values on these choices are a lot decrease than what you may get when utilizing your factors for Southwest flights.
Award pricing is tied to the money value of the tickets. So, the variety of factors you want will go up or down relying on the money value of the flight. The constructive is that utilizing your factors for Southwest flights is nearly all the time attainable.
TPG Senior Director of Content material Summer season Hull redeemed 11,000 Fast Rewards factors to journey from Houston all the way in which to Lihue in Hawaii. Securing redemptions like these could make your factors go even additional.
Associated: The best way to redeem factors with the Southwest Fast Rewards program
Which playing cards compete with the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card?
The Southwest Plus card’s most evident rivals are the opposite Southwest bank cards. Nonetheless, it is also value contemplating whether or not a normal journey bank card would possibly match higher in your pockets.
- In order for you extra Southwest advantages with a modest price: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card has strong perks to justify its $99 annual price. These embody 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird Test-Ins per 12 months (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% again on inflight purchases and tier qualifying factors towards A-Listing standing. To be taught extra, learn our full assessment of the Southwest Premier card.
- For those who fly Southwest repeatedly and need probably the most perks: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card (see charges and charges) is probably the most premium private Southwest bank card and has a $229 annual price. It gives perks like 7,500 anniversary bonus factors and an annual $75 Southwest journey credit score (ends Dec. 31). To be taught extra, learn our full assessment of the Southwest Precedence card.
- In order for you extra factors that can be utilized with Southwest and in different methods: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and charges) is an efficient selection for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll redeem with Southwest and different airline and resort companions. You may additionally get quite a few journey protections, and the cardboard has a $95 annual price. To be taught extra, learn our full assessment of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
The knowledge for the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
For extra choices, take a look at our full checklist of the greatest journey bank cards and greatest Chase bank cards.
Associated: Evaluating the Southwest Fast Rewards Precedence, Premier and Plus bank cards
Is the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card value it?
The Southwest Plus card has the bottom annual price of the Southwest bank cards at $99, so it is a good possibility for these preserving annual price prices low or simply making an attempt out Southwest. Nonetheless, for those who’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of many different two private playing cards will symbolize higher worth.
Backside line
For less than $99 per 12 months, the Southwest Plus card means that you can earn sufficient factors to make it properly well worth the annual price. Plus, it comes with a handful of advantages, like customary seat choice inside 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag, that may justify preserving the cardboard in your pockets yearly.
Nonetheless, for those who fly with Southwest typically, one of many different two Southwest playing cards will present extra perks. Be sure you consider what’s greatest for you past merely wanting on the annual price.
Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card
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