Current Chase Southwest credit card welcome offers

If you’re a Southwest enthusiast, a cobranded Southwest credit card can be an excellent way to accumulate points for travel. Now is an opportune time to consider adding a personal card to your collection, especially if you’re aiming to build up your Rapid Rewards points.

Recent updates to these cards have introduced some exciting benefits, along with a few less favorable changes, such as reduced earnings rates and increased annual fees.

As Southwest undergoes significant strategic changes—many of which are already in effect—you might want to consider how these alterations will impact the airline in 2025 and beyond.

To stay informed, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the forthcoming modifications at Southwest before making a decision.

Let’s examine the current welcome bonuses available for Southwest Airlines personal and business credit cards.

Overview of Welcome Offers for Southwest Cards

Here’s a quick look at the welcome offers from Southwest:

*Offer value based on Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations.

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The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been independently gathered by The Points Guy. The card specifics on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Southwest Personal Cards

If you fly with Southwest a few times a year or are a frequent traveler, it’s worth exploring their cobranded credit cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Best for: Beginners and infrequent travelers

Annual fee: $99

Welcome bonus: Last chance to earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first five months. This offer is valued at $1,350 based on Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations and ends at 9 a.m. EDT on Sept. 18.

This offer matches the highest we’ve seen for this card that did not include the Companion Pass, with a reduced minimum spend requirement.

Earning Rates:

• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores for the first $5,000 in combined spend each anniversary year.
• 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
• 2 points per dollar on commuting and local transit purchases (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on cable, internet, phone services, and select streaming purchases (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partners (ends Dec. 31).
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Notable Perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions.
• Standard seat selection 48 hours prior to departure when available.
• Two EarlyBird check-ins annually (ends Dec. 31).
• Group 5 priority boarding.
• 3,000 bonus points each cardholder anniversary.
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually.
• One promotional 10% flight discount each anniversary year (excludes basic economy).
• 25% discount on inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

For more details, check out our complete review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

Best for: Regular Southwest Flyers

Annual Fee: $149

Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first five months. This offer is worth $1,350 based on Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations and ends at 9 a.m. EDT on Sept. 18.

This offer equals the highest we’ve seen for this card that didn’t include a Companion Pass.

Earning Rates:

• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores for the first $8,000 in combined spend each anniversary year.
• 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
• 2 points per dollar on commuting and local transit purchases (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on cable, internet, phone services, and select streaming purchases (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partners (ends Dec. 31).
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Notable Perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions.
• Preferred seat selection when available, 48 hours prior to departure.
• Two EarlyBird check-ins annually (ends Dec. 31).
• Group 5 priority boarding.
• 6,000 bonus points each cardholder anniversary.
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually.
• Unlimited TQP earning of 1,500 for each $5,000 spent annually toward A-List status.
• 25% discount on inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card review

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Best for: Highly loyal Southwest customers who can benefit from day-of-travel perks

Annual Fee: $229

Welcome Bonus: Last chance to earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first five months. This offer is valued at $1,350, based on Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations, and ends at 9 a.m. EDT on Sept. 18.

This offer matches the highest we’ve seen for this card without a Companion Pass.

Earning Rates:

• New: 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases (previously 3 points).
• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap.
• 2 points per dollar on commuting purchases and local transit (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on cable, internet, phone services, and select streaming (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partners (ends Dec. 31).
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Notable Perks:

• $75 annual Southwest credit (ends Dec. 31).
• Four upgraded boardings (ends Dec. 31).
• 7,500-point anniversary bonus.
• Unlimited upgrades to extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure at no charge when available.
• Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions.
• Preferred seat selection at booking when available.
• Two EarlyBird check-ins annually (ends Dec. 31).
• Group 5 priority boarding.
• 10,000 points Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually.
• Unlimited TQP earning of 2,500 for each $5,000 spent annually toward A-List status.
• 25% discount on inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Flying Frugal recognized this card as the Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card for the second consecutive year at the 2024 Flying Frugal Awards.

For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Southwest Business Cards

If you qualify for a business credit card and frequently fly with Southwest, consider one of their cobranded business options.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Best for: Business owners who frequently fly Southwest.

Annual Fee: $149

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. This offer is valued at $810 based on Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations.

This is the standard welcome offer usually associated with this card.

Earning Rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores for the first $8,000 in combined spending each anniversary year.
• 2 points per dollar on commuting purchases, including local transit and ride-hailing services (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partners (ends Dec. 31).
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Notable Perks:

• $500 fee credit for Rapid Rewards points transfers to another Rapid Rewards member (ends Dec. 31).
• Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions.
• Preferred seat selection 48 hours before departure when available.
• Group 5 priority boarding.
• 6,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary.
• 15% flight discount promo code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares).
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually.
• Unlimited TQP earning of 2,000 for each $5,000 spent annually.
• 25% discount on inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

For more details, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

Best for: Business owners who are loyal Southwest travelers.

Annual Fee: $299

Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. This offer is valued at $1,080 based on Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations.

This is the standard welcome offer generally associated with this card.

Earning Rates:

• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
• 3 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partners (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar spent on cable and phone services, internet, paid search advertising, and social media (ends Dec. 31).
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting purchases and local transit.
• New: 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants with no cap.
• New: 2 points per dollar spent on directly booked hotels.
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Notable Perks:

• Four upgraded boardings per year (ends Dec. 31).
• Up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits each year (ends Dec. 31).
• Earn tier-qualifying points towards A-List elite status.
• $500 fee credit for Rapid Rewards points transfers (ends Dec. 31).
• Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions.
• Preferred seat selection at booking when available.
• Unlimited upgrades to an extra-legroom seat 48 hours prior to departure at no charge when available.
• Group 5 priority boarding.
• 9,000 points annually for cardholders.
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually.
• Unlimited TQP earning of 2,500 for each $5,000 spent annually.
• Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
• New: 25% discount on inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

For more information, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

Should You Apply for a Southwest Credit Card Now?

Southwest boasts a loyal customer base that appreciates the airline’s unique character. However, many advantageous benefits, such as free checked bags included with every ticket, have been eliminated, altering the overall value.

Note that cardholders still qualify for one free checked bag for themselves and up to 8 companions on the reservation, which now costs $35 each way.

Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred and Business Select members will receive two free checked bags, while A-list members are entitled to one. Weight and size restrictions apply.

Additionally, the number of Rapid Rewards points needed for booking flights is now “dynamic,” meaning redemption rates may fluctuate based on demand.

Moreover, Southwest has revised its cancellation and change fee policies, waiving fees for only select fare types. Free same-day standby options are likewise limited to certain fare types.

The Companion Pass offered through Southwest’s personal cards can provide exceptional value. This perk allows you to bring a designated travel companion on all your Southwest flights—both paid and award tickets (taxes and fees must still be paid).

To qualify for a Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points or complete 100 qualifying one-way flights in one calendar year. Notably, credit card welcome bonuses and points earned through card spending contribute toward this qualification.

You could effectively receive nearly two years of buy-one-get-one flights by strategically opening both personal and business Southwest credit cards and timing your spending to secure the bonuses at the start of a new year. The standard Companion Pass is valid for the year of issue and the entire following year.

Cardholders receive a 10,000 TQP-point boost at the beginning of the year (for existing holders) or within 30 days of opening an account (for new members).

To maximize the benefits of the Companion Pass, consider timing your credit card application so that your welcome bonus posts after the start of the new year.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering a new Southwest card, several appealing welcome offers can help you earn a substantial number of bonus points. These are among the highest offers available, along with a notably lower minimum spending requirement. However, these limited-time offers expire at 9 a.m. EDT on Sept. 18, making this a prime opportunity.

Frequent flyers, especially those traveling with a companion, will find the 100,000 points beneficial as they get much closer to obtaining the Companion Pass.

Keep in mind the extensive changes happening with the airline through 2025 and 2026.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card