Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card} evaluate: Full particulars

Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card} overview

The Southwest Fast Rewards® Plus {Credit Card} (see charges and charges) has the bottom annual payment 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 payment 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.

In a pastime 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 payment is perhaps helpful 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 payment enhance to $99.

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

We sometimes 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 towards its higher-end siblings.

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Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card} execs and cons

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Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit 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 accordance with TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the 100,000 factors included on this welcome supply are price $1,400. That is the best factors welcome supply we have seen on this card and not using a Companion Cross.

You probably have somebody who frequently travels with you, you could need to anticipate a proposal that features the Companion Cross, as it might add considerably extra worth for you.

Remember you could have the prospect 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 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 increase 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. For those who’ve opened 5 or extra new bank card accounts (from any financial institution, not simply Chase) prior to now 24 months, you doubtless 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 last word information to bank card utility restrictions

Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card} advantages

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

You will get pleasure from the next ongoing advantages in change for the cardboard’s $99 annual payment:

• 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 commonplace seat choice inside 48 hours of departure for you and as much as eight passengers touring on the identical reservation. Provided that seat choice now comes with a cost, this perk could be extraordinarily helpful relying on how continuously you fly Southwest.
• Two annual EarlyBird Verify-Ins: Obtain two complimentary EarlyBird Verify-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 payment 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-Checklist 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 based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
• Increase of 10,000 Companion Cross-qualifying factors yearly: Cardholders obtain a ten,000-point increase towards a Companion Cross 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 Fundamental fares).

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

Incomes factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card}

With the Southwest Plus card, you will 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 Fast 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 essential 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 most important motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you will in all probability need to go together with a type of as an alternative.

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Redeeming factors on the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit 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 gives different redemption choices, together with reward playing cards, merchandise, lodge 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 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 sort of at all times attainable.

TPG Senior Director of Content material Summer season Hull redeemed 11,000 Fast 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.

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Which playing cards compete with the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit 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 normal journey bank card would possibly match higher in your pockets.

• If you would like extra Southwest advantages with a modest payment: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier {Credit Card} has strong perks to justify its $99 annual payment. These embrace 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird Verify-Ins per 12 months (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% again on inflight purchases and tier qualifying factors towards A-Checklist standing. To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Southwest Premier card.
• For those who fly Southwest frequently and wish probably the most perks: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Precedence {Credit Card} (see charges and charges) is probably the most premium private Southwest bank card and has a $229 annual payment. It gives 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 would 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 efficient alternative for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to 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 payment. To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Most popular.

The data for the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier {Credit 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, try our full checklist of the most effective journey bank cards and finest Chase bank cards.

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

Is the Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card} price it?

The Southwest Plus card has the bottom annual payment of the Southwest bank cards at $99, so it is a good choice for these preserving annual payment 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 symbolize higher worth.

Backside line

For under $99 per 12 months, the Southwest Plus card means that you can earn sufficient factors to make it nicely well worth the annual payment. Plus, it comes with a handful of advantages, like commonplace seat choice inside 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag, that may justify preserving 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. Make sure you consider what’s finest for you past merely wanting on the annual payment.

Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Plus {Credit Card}