Southwest Credit Cards: Fees, Rewards, and Travel Perks Compared

If you're considering a Southwest credit card, you're likely looking for a way to earn rewards and perks that align with your travel habits. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a $69 annual fee, which is relatively low compared to other airline credit cards.

Southwest credit cards offer various rewards structures, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card stands out for its 7,500-point bonus after your Cardmember anniversary. This can be especially valuable if you're a frequent Southwest flyer.

To get the most out of your Southwest credit card, it's essential to understand the fees involved. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee, but it also comes with a 6,000-point anniversary bonus.

Intriguing read: Chase Sapphire No Fee

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card offers some amazing benefits that can help you earn free flights and make your travel experience more enjoyable.

You'll get lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per passenger, so you can breathe a sigh of relief if your bags get delayed or lost.

Baggage delay insurance is also included, worth up to $100 per day for three days, to help you cover costs like clothes and toiletries.

Two EarlyBird Check-In boarding upgrades are yours each year, valued at up to $50, which can give you a better seat selection and a more comfortable flight.

You'll earn 25% back on in-flight purchases, which can add up to some nice savings on snacks and drinks.

Here are the top benefits of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card:

The card also offers a welcome bonus of 40,000 bonus points, worth about $1,000, after meeting the $3,000 spending requirement in the first four months.

By using the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, you can earn additional rewards and take advantage of special discounts, with some merchants offering up to 5X points or more for every dollar spent through the portal.

Consider reading: Penfed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card

Annual fees range from $69 to $199 on Southwest cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card has one of the highest annual fees, but its benefits far outweigh that cost.

If you travel enough on Southwest, paying an annual fee might be worth it. The benefits and rewards offered by these cards can make them a valuable investment.

Here's a breakdown of the annual fees for each card:

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is the only card in this group that charges foreign transaction fees.

Annual fees on Southwest credit cards range from $69 to $199, with the lowest annual fee being $69 for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.

You might be thinking, "That's a bit steep", but consider this: one free flight can easily offset the cost of the annual fee. Plus, the anniversary bonus of 3,000 points can be a nice perk.

Here's a breakdown of the annual fees for different Southwest credit cards:

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card may have one of the highest annual fees, but its benefits far outweigh the cost, making it a great value option.

If you're planning a trip abroad, it's essential to understand the foreign transaction fees associated with your credit card. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card charges foreign transaction fees, which means you'll incur extra fees each time you swipe.

Some credit cards, like the Southwest credit cards, have no foreign transaction fee, so you can use them abroad without worrying about extra charges. This can be a huge relief for travelers, especially those who frequently visit international destinations.

The Southwest credit cards offer a convenient option for those who want to avoid foreign transaction fees, making them a great choice for globetrotters.

A fresh viewpoint: Travel Points Credit Cards I Can Use on Southwest

The Southwest credit cards offer a range of rewards and earning opportunities, making them a great choice for frequent flyers.

You can earn 4x points on Southwest purchases with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, which can quickly help offset the annual fee.

One of the easiest ways to earn a Companion Pass is to apply for a Southwest credit card with a generous welcome offer, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, which offers 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Additional reading: Platinum Rewards Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card offers a chance to earn 2X points on every dollar spent through Southwest Airlines, hotel stays, and car rentals booked through Southwest or their affiliated partners, as well as local transit and commuting options, and cable, phone, internet, and select streaming services.

Here's a breakdown of the anniversary points earned by each Southwest credit card:

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card also offers a generous sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The welcome offers for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card are quite attractive. You can earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first four months of account opening.

This is a fairly easy spending threshold to meet, equivalent to $750 per month. The welcome bonus is worth about $1,000 in total, making it a great way to earn bonus points towards future travel.

For more insights, see: Best Everyday Use Credit Cards

The offers for the personal cards are typically the same, so you can compare the annual fee and benefits to decide which one is best for you. However, the business cards have different offers, so you'll need to weigh the total offer against the annual fee and benefits.

Meeting the $3,000 spending requirement in the first four months will earn you a welcome bonus that covers the $69 annual fee 14 times over.

For your interest: Benefits of Discover It Card

You can redeem points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card for flights on Southwest Airlines to anywhere they fly. With a points value of 1.5 cents per point, you can get a flight that costs $45 with just 3,000 anniversary points.

Points can also be redeemed for international travel through Southwest's airline partners. This opens up a world of possibilities, from exploring Europe to visiting Asia or South America. You can even redeem points for hotel and resort partners like Best Western and Marriott Bonvoy.

Here are some examples of valuable redemptions:

You can also redeem points for event tickets, merchandise, travel experiences, and more. With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card, the possibilities are endless.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card offers extended warranty protection on items purchased with the card. This protection provides an extra year of warranty coverage on items with a U.S. manufacturer's warranty of three years or less.

If an item you purchased with the card becomes damaged or stolen within 120 days after purchase, you can get reimbursed up to $500 per item. This is a great perk for protecting your purchases.

The extended warranty protection is a valuable benefit that can give you peace of mind when making purchases with your card.

Southwest credit cards offer some amazing travel benefits to help you make the most of your Southwest flights.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card offers a lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per passenger, which can be a huge relief if your luggage gets lost or damaged.

Baggage delay insurance is also available, worth up to $100 per day for three days, to help you cover expenses like clothes and toiletries.

A fresh viewpoint: Do Credit Cards Help Your Credit Score

You'll also get two EarlyBird Check-In boarding upgrades each year, valued at up to $50, to help you board the plane earlier and choose your seat.

Another perk is 25% back on any in-flight purchases you make with your Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card, in the form of a statement credit.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card offers a $75 annual travel credit for Southwest purchases, which can be used for flights, gift cards, and early bird check-in.

You'll also get four upgraded boardings per year, 7,500 points per year on your card member anniversary, and 25% back on in-flight purchases.

Here are some of the travel benefits you can expect from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card:

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card also offers 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x on local transit and commuting, internet, cable, and phone services, and streaming services, and 1x on all other purchases.

Baggage delay insurance and travel accident insurance via Visa Signature are also included in the premium travel protection benefits.

Recommended read: Platinum Travel Credit Card

To choose the right Southwest credit card, determine what features matter most to you. This will help narrow down your options.

Consider whether a lower annual fee is more important than earning cashback on in-flight purchases or upgraded boardings. Think about your travel habits and what benefits would be most useful to you.

Ultimately, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card is a great option for those who prefer to travel with Southwest, earning 2X points per dollar on Southwest purchases, local transit, and more.

Discover more: Is American Express Travel Insurance Good

The Southwest personal credit cards offer a range of benefits and rewards, but which one is right for you? Let's take a closer look.

The standard benefits for all three cards include delayed baggage insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance, and earning extra points per dollar on Southwest purchases.

The annual fees for the three cards are $69, $99, and $149 respectively.

Readers also liked: What Are the Three Top Credit Cards

Here's a summary of the benefits and rewards for each card:

As you can see, the higher-end cards offer more rewards and benefits, but also come with a higher annual fee. The choice ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is a great middle-of-the-road option, offering 3X points on Southwest purchases and 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit, and more. It also comes with two Early Bird Check-Ins annually, 6,000 anniversary points each year, and a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually.

Remember, the key is to determine which features are most important to you and choose the card that best fits your needs.

Consider reading: U.s. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card is one of the best airline credit cards on the market. It offers 2X points per dollar on Southwest purchases, local transit, and more.

You can redeem those points for flights, gift cards, merchandise, and other valuable experiences. This can help you save money on your next trip.

The card also offers a generous welcome bonus and a 3,000-point anniversary bonus. These bonuses can help offset the card's low annual fee.

The Southwest Airlines credit cards are a huge part of my credit card strategy, allowing me to score nearly free flights thanks to the welcome offers on these cards.

Whether you are a casual Southwest flyer, a frequent traveler, or a business owner, there is a Southwest credit card tailored to your needs. Each option offers valuable ways to earn points, access exclusive travel benefits, and even work toward the coveted Companion Pass.

You can unlock substantial savings, added convenience, and an overall more enjoyable travel experience with the right choice of Southwest card.

To get a Southwest credit card, you need to meet their eligibility rules, which are outlined on their website.

You can only have one Southwest personal card account open at a time, but you can hold a business card and a personal card simultaneously.

If you have a business, you can hold both business cards at the same time, but you can't have multiple cards with the same business name.

Recommended read: Do Business Credit Cards Pull Personal Credit

You're only allowed to have one Southwest personal card account open at a time, so if you're considering applying for another one, make sure to cancel or close your existing account first.

You can, however, hold a business card and a personal card at the same time, which might be a good option if you're trying to maximize your rewards earnings.

Here's a quick rundown of the multiple card holding rules:

A different take: Business Credit Cards That Don't Report to Personal Credit

Eligibility is a crucial aspect to consider when it comes to certain benefits or rewards.

There are eligibility rules to be aware of, such as the Southwest Card eligibility rules, which have a few specific requirements.

To be eligible for some benefits, you may need to meet certain criteria, like the eligibility rules for the Southwest Card, which are outlined clearly.

The Southwest Card eligibility rules include a breakdown of the eligibility criteria, which can be found online.

Meeting the eligibility criteria is essential to avoid any issues or complications down the line.