As someone who flies Southwest for its flexibility, budget-friendliness, and free checked bags, I’ve long considered the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card from Chase a great value card. But with Southwest making updates to its policies and points program, and a new welcome offer now live, this card is more relevant than ever in 2025.
Let’s take a look at how this card fits into a travel-focused lifestyle, where it shines, and how you can get the most value from it.
✈️ A New Welcome Bonus Worth Considering
Currently, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is offering 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- This is slightly below the highest-ever bonus (which has hit 75,000 or even 100,000 points in the past during limited-time offers), but it’s still solid given the low spend threshold.
- 50,000 points are typically worth $700–$800 in Wanna Get Away fares depending on route, timing, and demand.
- These points also count toward Southwest’s coveted Companion Pass®, which requires earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. If you’re already a frequent flyer or plan to open a business version of this card too, this welcome bonus gets you a head start.
For those looking to ease into the travel rewards game or build up a Chase relationship, this is a budget-friendly entry point.
🧳 New & Notable Card Benefits
Recent updates to this card have added value for regular Southwest travelers:
- 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins® per year — Get a better boarding position automatically. This is a brand-new benefit and can save time and reduce stress for those who prefer not to jockey for a good boarding spot manually.
- 10,000 anniversary points (starting from your first anniversary) — A nice boost just for keeping the card open.
- 25% back on in-flight purchases — Applies to drinks, snacks, and Wi-Fi when paying with your card.
Other continuing benefits include:
- 2X Points on Southwest® purchases
- 2X Points on local transit, rideshare, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services
- 1X Point on all other purchases
These new perks make it easier to justify the card’s low annual fee and offer more practical value to the average Southwest customer.
💰 Low Annual Fee & Budget Fit
At just $69 per year (pricing details here), this is one of the most affordable airline cards on the market. And it’s incredibly easy to break even:
- The 10,000-point anniversary bonus alone is worth about $150 in airfare.
- EarlyBird Check-In (normally $15–$25 per segment) easily adds up in value.
For casual travelers who take a few trips a year, the math is straightforward: you’ll likely come out ahead.
🧠 How It Fits Into My Wallet
I use this card specifically for Southwest flights and occasional rideshare expenses. Here’s how I integrate it:
- Flights on Southwest: The 2X earns you more toward Companion Pass and free travel.
- Supplement to broader travel cards: I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Amex Platinum for other airline and hotel bookings.
- Monthly utility bills: I route internet and streaming services here for extra points.
It’s not a daily-use card for me—but it’s a valuable part of my travel card toolkit.
🔄 Southwest’s Changing Landscape (2025)
If you’ve been following the headlines, you’ve likely seen that Southwest is evolving:
- The airline has recently increased the cost of Wanna Get Away+ redemptions for some routes.
- There’s ongoing discussion around upgrading in-flight tech and seat selection models, which may impact future value perceptions.
- Southwest has re-emphasized Companion Pass eligibility rules, with a push toward using their credit cards to qualify.
This makes the Plus Card even more relevant—especially for customers who want to keep earning points and qualify for perks without overspending.
🔍 Who Is This Card For?
This card is ideal if you:
- Fly Southwest at least once or twice a year
- Want a low-fee card with meaningful travel benefits
- Are working toward Companion Pass
- Are new to points & miles and want a gentle learning curve
It’s not the best fit if you:
- Prioritize luxury travel (there are no lounge or upgrade perks)
- Book mostly international flights or fly multiple airlines
- Want ultra-flexible point transfers to travel partners
💡 Tips to Maximize the Southwest Plus Card
- Pair with the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Business Card to stack bonuses toward Companion Pass.
- Use EarlyBird Check-In wisely—apply them to longer or busier flights where boarding position matters more.
- Plan flights strategically to stretch the value of your 50,000-point bonus.
- Stack 2X on bills—charging transit, streaming, and phone/internet bills can add up without extra effort.
- Use it as a secondary card for niche purchases and let anniversary bonuses cover the fee.
✅ Final Verdict
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a budget-friendly, straightforward travel card that delivers surprising value—especially in light of its new perks and modest annual fee.
While the current bonus is lower than historic highs, the ease of qualifying, combined with EarlyBird perks and anniversary points, make it a smart pick for occasional or loyal Southwest flyers. For me, it’s a low-effort way to keep building toward free flights while covering short-haul domestic trips affordably.
If you’re just getting into points and miles or simply want to make your Southwest travel go further, this card makes a lot of sense in 2025.
