Southwest Airlines offers three different co-branded personal credit cards with Chase. There’s the upper-end Priority card, the middle-child Premier card and the entry-level Plus card. While many airline credit card programs include a no-annual-fee option, the Southwest Plus Card has a $69 annual fee. Unlike cards from other airlines, which often provide free checked bags (already standard with Southwest) or priority boarding (available with Southwest’s Priority Boarding and EarlyBird Check-In), what exactly do you get with the Southwest Plus Card?
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Annual Fee
$99 for new applicants (up from $69). Current cardholders will see their annual fee increase in 2026. Chase will provide more information about the exact timing.
Sign Up Bonus
New cardholders can earn:
100,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Note: Chase puts the following restrictions on applications to receive this bonus.
This product is available to you if you do not have a current Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus in the last 24 months. Business and employee cards are excluded.
This card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule.
Earning Points
Until December 31, 2025, cardholders earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points in the following categories:
- 2X points on Southwest purchases
- 2X points on purchases with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
- 2X points at grocery stores and gas stations (on up to $5,000 in combined purchases per calendar year) (New for 2025)
- 1X point on all other purchases
In 2026, the spending categories will be reduced to:
- 2X points on Southwest purchases
- 2X points at grocery stores and gas stations (on up to $5,000 in combined purchases per calendar year)
- 1X point on all other purchases
Card Benefits (What You Get)
This is where the card has undergone significant changes—especially in response to Southwest’s new fee structure.
Checked Bag Benefit – New in 2025
As of May 28, 2025, Southwest no longer offers two free checked bags to all passengers. Instead, the Southwest Plus Card provides one free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation.
For a family of four, this could save up to $280 on a round trip ($35 per bag, per direction, per person).
New Travel Benefits
- Complimentary Standard Seat Selection (within 48 hours of departure, when available) (Effective 2026)
- Group 5 Boarding for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers (Effective 2026)
- 10% Flight Promo Code on your card anniversary (excludes Basic fares)
In short, you’ll be able to select a seat for free within 48 hours of departure and board with Group 5 (out of 8 total boarding groups).
Foreign Transaction Fees
The card used to charge 3% for purchases abroad, but that fee is gone—making the Plus Card more travel-friendly for international trips.
Benefits That Remain Unchanged:
- 3,000 Anniversary Points
- 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Point Boost each year
- 25% Back on inflight purchases (Wi-Fi, drinks, snacks)
Redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
The points you earn post directly to your Rapid Rewards account. Southwest no longer publishes a set value for points, but they typically fall in the 1.3–1.4 cents per point range.
The good news:
- No blackout dates
- Point prices directly correlate with cash fares
- Fully refundable with no change or cancellation fees
Final Thoughts
With its updated benefits, the Southwest Plus Card offers more tangible value than in the past—especially for travelers who can use the new free checked bag perk and bonus earning categories through the end of 2025. Even with the upcoming fee increase, the sign-up bonus alone can easily offset the first year’s cost, and perks like the 3,000 anniversary points, in-flight discounts, and Companion Pass qualifying boost add year-round value.
Still, it’s worth considering your long-term needs. If you fly Southwest often and want perks like an annual travel credit and access to better seats, the Priority Card may be a better fit. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an affordable way to earn Rapid Rewards points and pick up a few travel perks, the Plus Card remains a solid entry-level choice.
If you decide it’s right for you, we’d appreciate it if you used our referral link—your support helps keep Your Mileage May Vary running strong!
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