Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card evaluate: Full particulars

Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card overview

The Southwest Fast Rewards® Plus Credit score Card (see charges and costs) has the bottom annual price of any Southwest Airways bank card available on the market, which is both a power or a weak point, 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 provided by its higher-priced counterparts to maintain you previous the preliminary welcome bonus. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐

* Card score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

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In a interest that feels dominated by ultrapremium bank cards with $550-plus annual charges and laundry lists of luxurious perks, it is laborious to think about {that a} cobranded airline bank card with a $99 annual price is perhaps helpful to loyal Southwest Airways prospects.

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 vital to notice that Southwest is in the course of sweeping adjustments, together with to its boarding course of, bag charges and seat assignments.

We sometimes 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 towards its higher-end siblings.

Associated: How to decide on an airline bank card

Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card execs and cons

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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 response to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the 100,000 factors included on this welcome supply are price $1,400. That is the very best factors welcome supply we have seen on this card with out a Companion Go.

When you have somebody who frequently travels with you, you might wish to anticipate a suggestion that features the Companion Go, as it may add considerably extra worth for you.

Take into account you’ll 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 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 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. In case you’ve opened 5 or extra new bank card accounts (from any financial institution, not simply Chase) previously 24 months, you doubtless will not be accredited for this card.

One other limitation applies particularly to Southwest bank cards. When 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

Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card advantages

The Southwest Plus card affords 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 price:

• Free checked bag: Obtain the primary checked bag for cardholders and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation.
• Commonplace 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 helpful relying on how continuously 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 price as much as $99 every, utilizing only one may 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 have 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, price $42 in keeping with TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
• Enhance of 10,000 Companion Go-qualifying factors yearly: Cardholders obtain a ten,000-point enhance towards a Companion Go every year.
• 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 gasoline stations and grocery shops, on the primary $5,000 in mixed purchases per 12 months (a 2.8% return, primarily based 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 automobile 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 telephone 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 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 first rate 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 major motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you may in all probability wish to go along with a type of as a substitute.

Associated: Are airline bank cards price 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 affords different redemption choices, together with reward playing cards, merchandise, resort stays, rental automobiles 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 worth of the tickets. So, the variety of factors you want will go up or down relying on the money worth of the flight. The constructive is that utilizing your factors for Southwest flights is nearly at all times potential.

TPG Senior Director of Content material Summer time Hull redeemed 11,000 Fast Rewards factors to journey from Houston all the best way 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 blatant rivals are the opposite Southwest bank cards. Nonetheless, it is also price contemplating whether or not a basic journey bank card would possibly match higher in your pockets.

• If you need extra Southwest advantages with a modest price: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card has stable perks to justify its $99 annual price. 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-Listing standing. To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Southwest Premier card.
• In case you fly Southwest frequently and need essentially the most perks: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card (see charges and costs) is essentially the most premium private Southwest bank card and has a $229 annual price. It affords 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 evaluate of the Southwest Precedence card.
• If you need extra factors that can be utilized with Southwest and in different methods: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) is an effective selection for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to redeem with Southwest and different airline and resort companions. You will additionally get quite a few journey protections, and the cardboard has a $95 annual price. To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Most well-liked.

The data 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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.

For extra choices, take a look at our full listing 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 price it?

The Southwest Plus card has the bottom annual price of the Southwest bank cards at $99, so it is a good choice for these maintaining annual price prices low or simply attempting out Southwest. Nonetheless, in case you’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 lets you 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 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 further perks. Be sure you consider what’s greatest for you past merely trying on the annual price.

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Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card

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