Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card: Review and Who It Fits

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card Right for You?

Do you fly Southwest a few times a year and want to earn free flights faster? The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is the airline's entry-level travel card, issued by Chase, and it can be a simple way to rack up Rapid Rewards points.

This review covers who issues the card, what it earns, what it costs, the APR and fees, and who it actually fits, with current numbers as of June 2026. If you are weighing the full lineup, our broader Southwest Airlines credit card overview compares the options side by side.

Key Facts at a Glance

Figures as of June 2026. Credit limit and score range are community-reported and vary by applicant.

Who Issues the Card and What You Earn

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is issued by Chase (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) on the Visa network, in partnership with Southwest Airlines. Because it is a Visa, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just with the airline. It earns Rapid Rewards points, which you redeem for Southwest flights at dynamic, demand-based pricing. Points do not expire as long as the account stays open.

Per Chase's current terms as of June 2026, you earn:

• 2 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 2 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores, on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year, then 1X
• 1 point per dollar on everything else

Cardholders also receive 3,000 anniversary bonus points each year and a 10% flight discount promo code each anniversary (Basic fares excluded). The current welcome offer is 80,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Welcome bonuses change often, so confirm the live offer on Chase's site before applying. If you want more travel perks, the step-up Rapid Rewards Premier card earns 3X on Southwest and more anniversary points for a higher annual fee.

What the Plus Card Costs

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card carries a $99 annual fee, applied to your first billing statement. There is no monthly or maintenance fee. It charges no foreign transaction fees, so it works abroad without a surcharge. A balance transfer costs $5 or 5%, whichever is greater, a cash advance costs $10 or 5%, whichever is greater, and a late payment runs up to $40.

The ongoing APR is variable and on the higher side, roughly 19.24% to 27.74% variable as of June 2026, with a penalty APR up to 29.99% variable if you fall behind. There is no 0% intro APR on this card. This makes it best for people who pay their balance in full each month, since at this APR interest quickly outweighs the points you earn.

Chase reports your account to all three major bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). It typically approves applicants with good to excellent credit, generally FICO scores around 670 and up (community-reported averages run higher, near 700+). Reported starting credit limits typically range from about $2,000 to $5,000 or more and grow with on-time history. Approval is a hard pull. If your score is still growing, approval may be a stretch right now.

Who the Southwest Plus Card Fits Best

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card fits casual Southwest flyers who want a low annual fee and a simple way to earn points toward flights. A key benefit is a free first checked bag (terms apply), which alone can offset a chunk of the annual fee for travelers who check a bag a few times a year. If you take a couple of Southwest trips annually and pay your balance in full, the points, the 3,000-point anniversary bonus, the 10% annual flight discount, and the 80,000-point welcome offer can comfortably outpace the $99 fee.

Skip it if you rarely fly Southwest, tend to carry a balance, or are still building credit. Southwest points are most valuable to people who actually fly the airline, and at a 19.24% or higher APR, interest on a carried balance erases rewards fast. In those cases, a no-fee cash-back card or one of the travel cards for fair credit may serve you better right now.

If You Are Not Approved Yet

This card rewards good credit, so if your file is thin or rebuilding, a starter card that reports to the bureaus can get you to travel-card territory. The Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is designed for people with less-than-perfect credit, reports to the major bureaus, and earns cash back, so you are rewarded while you raise your score toward the upper 600s this card wants. APRs vary by creditworthiness.

A Structured Path Toward a Travel Card

If you are starting from a thin file, a credit-builder can move you toward eligibility. The Self Visa Credit Card pairs a credit-builder account with a secured card and reports to all three bureaus, so you build savings and payment history at the same time without needing excellent credit up front.

A Flexible Cash-Back Alternative

If you already have good credit but prefer flexible cash back over airline-specific points, the Robinhood Credit Card is another option to compare. It connects to an investing and cash-management platform, which suits people who like everything in one app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card?

The card is issued by Chase (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) on the Visa network in partnership with Southwest Airlines. You earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points that can be redeemed for Southwest flights, and you can use the Visa anywhere Visa is accepted.

What is the annual fee and what other fees apply?

The card has a $99 annual fee applied to your first billing statement, with no monthly or maintenance fee and no foreign transaction fee. A balance transfer costs $5 or 5%, a cash advance costs $10 or 5%, and a late payment runs up to $40.

What credit score and credit limit can you expect?

Chase generally approves applicants with good to excellent credit, typically FICO scores around 670 and up, and reported starting limits commonly range from about $2,000 to $5,000 or more. Approval is a hard pull, and the account reports to all three bureaus.

What is the APR on the Southwest Plus card?

The purchase APR is 19.24% to 27.74% variable as of June 2026, with a penalty APR up to 29.99% variable. There is no 0% intro APR, so carrying a balance is costly.

Is the Southwest Plus card worth it?

It can be, if you fly Southwest a few times a year and pay your balance in full. The points, the 3,000-point anniversary bonus, the free first checked bag, and the 10% annual flight discount can outweigh the $99 fee for regular Southwest flyers.