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 charge 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 charge is inexpensive, the Southwest Plus card lacks the perks supplied by its higher-priced counterparts to maintain you previous the preliminary welcome bonus. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐
* Card ranking relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
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 charge is perhaps beneficial to loyal Southwest Airways clients.
Nevertheless, 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 charge improve 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
Day by day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card professionals and cons
Professionals | Cons |
---|---|
|
|
Associated: Bank cards 101: The novices information
Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card welcome provide
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 provide are price $1,400. That is the best factors welcome provide we have seen on this card with no Companion Go.
You probably have somebody who recurrently travels with you, chances are you’ll need to look ahead to a proposal that features the Companion Go, as it could actually add considerably extra worth for you.
Take into accout you’ll have the prospect 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 whole 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 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 possible will not be permitted 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 score Card advantages
The Southwest Plus card gives 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 change for the cardboard’s $99 annual charge:
- 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 normal 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 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 charge 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 yr, price $42 in accordance with TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
- Increase of 10,000 Companion Go-qualifying factors yearly: Cardholders obtain a ten,000-point enhance towards a Companion Go 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 yr (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 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 Fast Rewards lodge 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 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 possibility for making purchases overseas.
These are respectable incomes charges for a cobranded airline card, however the incomes charge on Southwest purchases is decrease than that of the opposite private Southwest playing cards. In case your fundamental motivation for getting this card is to earn bonus factors in your Southwest purchases, you may most likely need 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 gives different redemption choices, together with present playing cards, merchandise, lodge stays, rental automobiles and journey experiences. Nevertheless, 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 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 all the time attainable.
TPG Senior Director of Content material Summer season 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 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 evident rivals are the opposite Southwest bank cards. Nevertheless, it is also price contemplating whether or not a common journey bank card may match higher in your pockets.
- If you need extra Southwest advantages with a modest charge: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card has strong perks to justify its $99 annual charge. These embody 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird Examine-Ins per yr (for flights working in 2025; ends Dec. 31), 25% again on inflight purchases and tier qualifying factors towards A-Checklist standing. To study extra, learn our full evaluate of the Southwest Premier card.
- In case you fly Southwest recurrently and wish probably the most perks: The Southwest Fast Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card (see charges and costs) is probably the most premium private Southwest bank card and has a $229 annual charge. It gives 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.
- 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 efficient selection for incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll 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 charge. To study 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, try our full checklist of the most effective 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 charge of the Southwest bank cards at $99, so it is a good possibility for these protecting annual charge prices low or simply making an attempt out Southwest. Nevertheless, in the event you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, one of many different two private playing cards will signify higher worth.
Backside line
For under $99 per yr, the Southwest Plus card lets you earn sufficient factors to make it nicely well worth the annual charge. Plus, it comes with a handful of advantages, like normal seat choice inside 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag, that may justify protecting the cardboard in your pockets yearly.
Nevertheless, in the event you fly with Southwest usually, one of many different two Southwest playing cards will present further perks. You’ll want to consider what’s greatest for you past merely trying on the annual charge.
Apply right here: Southwest Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card
Supply hyperlink