Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card evaluation: Full particulars

The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Plus Credit score Card (see charges and charges) has the bottom annual charge of any Southwest Airways bank card in the marketplace, which is both a energy or a weak point, relying on the way you take a look at it. Whereas the $99 annual charge 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 passion 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 charge could be priceless to loyal Southwest Airways clients.

Nonetheless, the Southwest Plus card does make sense for some flyers, in some instances.

This card, together with the opposite 4 cobranded Southwest playing cards, was lately 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 charge improve to $99.

It is also vital 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 us take a look at how the Southwest Plus card and its perks measure up in opposition to its higher-end siblings.

Associated: How to decide on an airline bank card

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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 best factors welcome supply we have seen on this card with no Companion Go.

In case you have somebody who often travels with you, chances are you’ll need to watch for a suggestion that features the Companion Go, as it will possibly add considerably extra worth for you.

Be mindful you will have the possibility to earn the welcome bonus and a Companion Go (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 Go.

*This whole 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 Go-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 probably will not be accepted for this card.

One other limitation applies particularly to Southwest bank cards. In case you have 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

The Southwest Plus card presents perks past the welcome bonus. It is vital to notice that present cardholders will obtain all their present advantages till Dec. 31.

You will take pleasure in the next ongoing advantages in trade for the cardboard’s $99 annual charge:

• 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 will be extraordinarily priceless relying on how incessantly you fly Southwest.
• Two annual EarlyBird Examine-Ins: Obtain two complimentary EarlyBird Examine-Ins (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31). Given these check-ins can value as much as $99 every, utilizing only one might doubtlessly cowl the cardboard’s annual charge 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. In case you have A-Record 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 response to TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
• Increase of 10,000 Companion Go-qualifying factors yearly: Cardholders obtain a ten,000-point enhance towards a Companion Go annually.
• 25% inflight financial savings: Cardholders obtain 25% again (as a press release 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:

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 Speedy Rewards lodge and rental automotive companions (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting, together with ride-hailing companies (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 2 factors per greenback spent on web, cable and telephone companies; 2 factors per greenback spent on choose streaming companies (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
• 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases (1.4% return)

It is vital 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 choice for making purchases overseas.

These are respectable incomes charges for a cobranded airline card, however the incomes fee on Southwest purchases is decrease than that of the opposite private Southwest playing cards. In case your essential motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you may most likely need to go together with a type of as an alternative.

Associated: Are airline bank cards value it anymore?

Redeem the Speedy Rewards factors you earn on the Southwest Plus card for Southwest flights to get the very best worth from them.

Speedy Rewards additionally presents different redemption choices, together with present playing cards, merchandise, lodge 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 optimistic is that utilizing your factors for Southwest flights is nearly all the time attainable.

TPG Senior Director of Content material Summer time Hull redeemed 11,000 Speedy 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: Easy methods to redeem factors with the Southwest Speedy Rewards program

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 may match higher in your pockets.

• If you’d like extra Southwest advantages with a modest charge: The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Premier Credit score Card has strong perks to justify its $99 annual charge. These embrace 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird Examine-Ins per 12 months (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% again on inflight purchases and tier qualifying factors towards A-Record standing. To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the Southwest Premier card.
• For those who fly Southwest often and wish probably the most perks: The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card (see charges and charges) is probably the most premium private Southwest bank card and has a $229 annual charge. It presents perks like 7,500 anniversary bonus factors and an annual $75 Southwest journey credit score (ends Dec. 31). To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the Southwest Precedence card.
• If you’d like extra factors that can be utilized with Southwest and in different methods: The Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges) is an effective alternative for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll redeem with Southwest and different airline and lodge companions. You will additionally get quite a few journey protections, and the cardboard has a $95 annual charge. To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the Sapphire Most popular.

The knowledge for the Southwest Speedy 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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.

For extra choices, try our full checklist of the finest journey bank cards and finest Chase bank cards.

Associated: Evaluating the Southwest Speedy Rewards Precedence, Premier and Plus bank cards

The Southwest Plus card has the bottom annual charge of the Southwest bank cards at $99, so it is a good choice for these maintaining annual charge prices low or simply making an attempt out Southwest. Nonetheless, in case you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of many different two private playing cards will signify higher worth.

For under $99 per 12 months, the Southwest Plus card permits you to earn sufficient factors to make it nicely well worth the annual charge. 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 maintaining the cardboard in your pockets yearly.

Nonetheless, in case you fly with Southwest typically, one of many different two Southwest playing cards will present extra perks. You should definitely consider what’s finest for you past merely wanting on the annual charge.

Apply right here: Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card