New Southwest credit card offers: Earn up to 90,000 points

For Southwest Airlines loyalists, a cobranded Southwest credit card is a great way to earn points toward travel.

Right now, the airline’s three personal cards have strong offers that can earn you a solid stash of Rapid Rewards points.

If you’ve been considering one of these cards, now could be a good time to apply, especially with changes coming to how travelers can earn a Southwest Companion Pass.

Those approved by Dec. 2 can still count their welcome bonus points toward Companion Pass qualification after meeting the spending requirements — even if those points post in 2027. Once they qualify, they’ll enjoy a Companion Pass through the end of 2027.

Let’s take a look at the current welcome bonuses on Southwest’s personal and business credit cards.

Comparison of the Southwest card welcome offers

Here’s a look at the Southwest welcome offers at first glance:

*Welcome offer value is based on TPG’s October 2026 valuations.

Southwest personal cards

Whether you fly Southwest just a couple of times each year or it’s your exclusive airline, consider one of the carrier’s cobranded credit cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Best for: Southwest loyalists who can take advantage of day-of-travel perks

Annual fee: $229

Welcome bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The points offered in this bonus are worth $1,125, according to TPG’s valuations. While not the strongest offer we’ve seen in the card’s history, it does meet our threshold for when to apply.

Earning rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• Preferred seat selection at booking (when available)
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually (through 2026)
• Earn 2,500 tier-qualifying points for each $5,000 spent annually toward status (through 2026), then earn 1 TQP per dollar spent (from 2027)
• Unlimited upgrades to extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure at no charge (when available)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 7,500-point anniversary bonus

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Priority.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

Best for: Regular Southwest flyers

Annual fee: $149

Welcome bonus: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s valuations, the points are worth $1,063. This is one of the strongest offers we’ve seen on the card, so now is a great time to apply.

Earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 3 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants each anniversary year (on the first $8,000 in combined spending)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• One promotional 15% flight discount each anniversary year (excludes Basic fares)
• Preferred seat selection 48 hours prior to departure (when available)
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually (through 2026)
• Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually toward status (through 2026), then earn 1 TQP per dollar spent (from 2027)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 6,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary

Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card review

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Best for: Beginners and infrequent travelers

Annual fee: $99

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s valuations, this offer is worth $1,000. While we’ve seen higher bonuses on this card, this offer meets our threshold for when to apply.

Earning rates:

• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year (on the first $5,000 in combined spending) and on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• One promotional 10% flight discount each anniversary year (excludes Basic fares)
• Standard seat selection 48 hours prior to departure (when available)
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually (through 2026)
• Earn 1 TQP per dollar spent (from 2027)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 3,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Plus.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

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Southwest business cards

If you qualify for a business credit card and fly Southwest frequently, consider one of the carrier’s cobranded business cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Best for: Business owners who are loyal Southwest flyers

Annual fee: $299

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $1,000, based on TPG’s valuations. This is the standard welcome offer we see on this card, so if you can, we’d recommend waiting in order to get a larger stash of points.

Earning rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit, at gas stations and restaurants (no annual cap) and on hotel stays booked directly
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• Preferred seat selection at booking (when available)
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually (through 2026)
• Earn 2,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually (through 2026), then earn 1 TQP per dollar spent (from 2027)
• Unlimited upgrades to an extra-legroom seat 48 hours prior to departure at no charge (when available)
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit (every 4 years)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 9,000 points every cardholder anniversary

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Performance Business.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business

Best for: Business owners who fly Southwest regularly

Annual fee: $149

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $750, according to TPG’s valuations. This is the card’s standard welcome offer, so we’d recommend waiting for a stronger offer if you can.

Earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 3 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants each anniversary year (on the first $8,000 in combined spending)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure (when available)
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually (through 2026)
• Earn 2,000 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually (through 2026), then earn 1 TQP per dollar spent (from 2027)
• 15% flight discount promo code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 6,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Premier Business.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

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Should you apply for a Southwest credit card?

If you fly Southwest a few times a year, a cobranded card could earn its place in your wallet through checked bag savings alone. Cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation receive their first checked bag free, saving $45 per person each way. For a couple checking one bag each, that’s $180 in savings on a round trip.

The right card depends on how often you fly and which perks you’ll use. The Southwest Plus has the lowest annual fee, making it a reasonable choice for occasional travelers. More frequent flyers may find the Priority’s preferred seat selection at booking, extra-legroom upgrades within 48 hours of departure (when available) and higher earning rate on Southwest purchases worth the additional cost.

Starting in 2027, all Southwest credit cards will also earn 1 TQP per dollar spent on purchases. That makes everyday spending more useful for travelers working toward elite status and Companion Pass benefits.

If earning a Companion Pass through welcome bonuses is your goal, the timing matters. Applicants approved by Dec. 2 can still have their welcome bonus points count toward qualification, even if they meet the spending requirement in early 2027. You’ll still need to reach the required 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, and a pass earned through this transition opportunity will be valid through Dec. 31, 2027.

Before applying, weigh the annual fee against the benefits you’ll actually use and make sure you can meet the welcome offer’s spending requirement without carrying a balance.

Bottom line

Southwest’s current credit card offers provide a valuable opportunity to boost your Rapid Rewards balance, with strong welcome bonuses available on all three personal cards.

With changes to Companion Pass qualification coming in 2027, these offers may be especially appealing to travelers hoping to earn qualifying points through a welcome bonus.

If you regularly fly Southwest and can meet the spending requirements, now could be a good time to add one of these cards to your wallet.

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

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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thepointsguy.com