Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card evaluate: Full particulars

Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card overview

The Southwest Speedy 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 inexpensive, the Southwest Plus card lacks the perks supplied by its higher-priced counterparts to maintain you previous the preliminary welcome bonus. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐

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

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

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 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 modifications, there was an approximate 44% annual price enhance to $99.

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

We usually suggest that candidates have a credit score rating of 670 or above to extend their possibilities of approval.

Let’s 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

Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card execs and cons

Associated: Bank cards 101: The inexperienced persons information

Southwest Speedy 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 line with 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 and not using a Companion Cross.

You probably have somebody who recurrently travels with you, it’s possible you’ll need to watch for a suggestion that features the Companion Cross, as it will possibly add considerably extra worth for you.

Have in mind you’ll have the possibility 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 relies 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. If you happen to’ve opened 5 or extra new bank card accounts (from any financial institution, not simply Chase) prior to now 24 months, you probably will not be accredited for this card.

One other limitation applies particularly to Southwest bank cards. You probably 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 final word information to bank card utility restrictions

Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card advantages

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 may 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.
• Customary 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 may be extraordinarily beneficial relying on how often 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 price 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. You probably 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 yr, price $42 in line 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 yr (excluding Fundamental fares).

Southwest Plus cardholders will obtain the next buy and journey protections:

Incomes factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card

With the Southwest Plus card, you will earn:

• New: 2 factors per greenback spent at gasoline stations and grocery shops, on the primary $5,000 in mixed purchases per yr (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 Speedy 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 vital to notice that present cardholders will obtain the present and new incomes charges till Dec. 31.

This card now has no international 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 principal motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you will most likely need to go together with a type of as a substitute.

Associated: Are airline bank cards price it anymore?

Redeeming factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card

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

Speedy Rewards additionally presents different redemption choices, together with present playing cards, merchandise, resort stays, rental automobiles and journey experiences. Nonetheless, the redemption values on these choices are a lot decrease than what you will 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 optimistic is that utilizing your factors for Southwest flights is sort of 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: The way to redeem factors with the Southwest Speedy Rewards program

Which playing cards compete with the Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card?

The Southwest Plus card’s most blatant opponents are the opposite Southwest bank cards. Nonetheless, it is also price contemplating whether or not a common journey bank card may match higher in your pockets.

• In order for you extra Southwest advantages with a modest price: The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Premier Credit score Card has stable perks to justify its $99 annual price. These embrace 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird Test-Ins per yr (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% again on inflight purchases and tier qualifying factors towards A-Listing standing. To study extra, learn our full evaluate of the Southwest Premier card.
• If you happen to fly Southwest recurrently and need 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 price. 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 evaluate 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 popular® Card (see charges and charges) is an effective alternative for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to 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 study extra, learn our full evaluate 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.

For extra choices, take a look at our full record of one of the best journey bank cards and greatest Chase bank cards.

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

Is the Southwest Speedy 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 conserving annual price prices low or simply attempting out Southwest. Nonetheless, for those who’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of many different two private playing cards will characterize higher worth.

Backside line

For less than $99 per yr, the Southwest Plus card means that you can earn sufficient factors to make it nicely definitely 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 conserving 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. Remember to consider what’s greatest for you past merely trying on the annual price.

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Apply right here: Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Credit score Card

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