The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus is the entry-level Southwest credit card, and at $99 per year it's designed for casual Southwest flyers who want the core perks — free checked bags, some bonus points, and a shot at the legendary Companion Pass — without paying Priority-card prices.

Let's be real: this card exists because Southwest's bag policy changed. Once upon a time, everyone got free bags on Southwest. Now, having a Southwest credit card is the easiest way to keep that perk alive. The Plus card is the cheapest way in, and for many flyers, that's the only reason they need.

The earning rates are modest (2x on Southwest, 2x on gas and groceries up to $5K, 1x elsewhere), and the 3,000 anniversary points won't blow anyone's mind. But combined with the 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost, free bags for your whole group, and the ability to earn toward the Companion Pass, this card delivers solid baseline value for loyal Southwest travelers.

• Free Checked Bags: Cardmember and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation get their first checked bag free. At $35+ each way per bag, this adds up fast for families.
• 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points: Automatic annual boost toward the Companion Pass — the most valuable perk in domestic travel.
• 3,000 Anniversary Points: Not huge, but worth about $39-$45 toward Southwest flights. Offsets part of the annual fee.
• 25% Back on Inflight Purchases: Statement credit of 25% when you pay for drinks or Wi-Fi with your Southwest card. Nice for frequent flyers.
• Standard Seat Selection: Select a Standard seat within 48 hours of departure. Cardmember and up to 8 passengers board in Group 5.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Though Southwest is a domestic airline, useful if you're using the card abroad for non-Southwest purchases.

• Annual Fee: $99 — the cheapest Southwest card option.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• APR: Variable, typically 22.49% - 29.49%
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40

The standard offer is 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months. That's a very low spend requirement — $500/month — making this one of the easiest airline card bonuses to earn.

55,000 Rapid Rewards points can get you 2-4 round-trip domestic flights depending on routes and timing. At roughly 1.3 cents per point, that's about $715 in Southwest flight value from a card with a $99 annual fee.

Periodically, Southwest runs limited-time offers that include Companion Pass — which is wildly more valuable. If you see a Companion Pass offer, jump on it.

• 2x points on: Southwest Airlines purchases.
• 2x points on: Gas stations and grocery stores (on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1x).
• 1x points on: Everything else.

The earning rates are... fine. Not exciting. The $5,000 cap on gas and grocery bonus earnings is restrictive — that's only $416/month before you drop to 1x. If you're a heavier spender, the Premier or Priority cards offer better earning potential.

Southwest Rapid Rewards points redeem directly for Southwest flights with no blackout dates, no award charts, and no seat restrictions. The value fluctuates based on the cash price of the flight.

• Southwest Flights: Points cover the fare (you still pay taxes/fees in cash). Typical value is 1.2-1.5 cents per point.
• International Partner Awards: Redeem for flights on select international partners through the More Rewards program.
• Hotel & Car Rentals: Available through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, though values are generally worse than flights.
• Gift Cards & Merchandise: Available but poor value — stick to flights.

The simplicity is Southwest's strength. No complicated award charts, no devaluation anxiety. The price you see is the price you pay in points.

• Free Checked Bags: The headline perk. At $35+ per bag each way, a family of four saves $280+ per round trip.
• 25% Inflight Credit: Get 25% back on drinks and Wi-Fi purchased inflight with your Southwest card.
• 3,000 Anniversary Points: Worth ~$39-$45 in flight value. Modest but consistent.
• 10,000 Companion Pass QP Boost: Automatic head start toward the 135,000 qualifying points needed for the Companion Pass.
• EarlyBird Check-In Discount: Not included on the Plus — you'd need the Priority card for upgraded boarding perks.

The Plus card is stripped-down compared to its siblings. No travel credit, no upgraded boarding, fewer anniversary points. You're paying for the bag benefit and the Companion Pass qualifying points — and for many people, that's enough.

• vs. Southwest Premier ($149/yr): For $50 more, you get 3x on Southwest (vs 2x), higher grocery/restaurant caps, 6,000 anniversary points, and a 15% promo code. If you fly Southwest more than a few times a year, the Premier is worth the upgrade.
• vs. Southwest Priority ($229/yr): The full-featured option with $75 travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points, 4x on Southwest, upgraded boarding, and seat selection at booking. Best for frequent Southwest flyers.
• vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/yr): If you don't fly Southwest often, the CSP offers transferable points to 14+ partners (including Southwest) with better everyday earning rates. More flexible overall.
• vs. Delta SkyMiles Gold ($150/yr): Similar bag benefit for Delta flyers. The right pick depends on which airline you fly — loyalty to the airline matters more than card-to-card comparison here.

• Casual Southwest flyers: If you fly Southwest 2-4 times a year and want free bags without paying Priority prices.
• Families on a budget: The free checked bag benefit for up to 8 companions is huge for family travel.
• Companion Pass chasers: The 10,000 QP annual boost gives you a running start, and the welcome bonus can get you even closer.
• Minimalists: You want one Southwest card for the basics and don't need premium perks.

Not ideal for: Frequent Southwest flyers (upgrade to Premier or Priority), heavy spenders (the earning rates and caps are too limiting), or travelers who want flexible points (get a Sapphire Preferred instead).