New Southwest Airlines Credit Card Deals Offer as Much as 90,000 Bonus Points

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If you have been considering a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, this may be an especially good time to apply.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card are all offering larger-than-normal welcome bonuses, with as many as 90,000 points available depending on the card.

Because these deals are available only for a limited time, here is a closer look at what each one offers.

Southwest welcome bonuses reach up to 90,000 points

Each of the three personal Southwest Airlines cards currently has its own offer:

• Southwest Priority card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• Southwest Premier card: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• Southwest Plus card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

The standard previous offer was 50,000 Rapid Rewards points, so even the smallest of these bonuses is a meaningful increase. One especially notable detail is that the Southwest Plus and Southwest Premier cards now require less spending than usual, which may make them easier to earn for people without a major expense coming up.

We value Southwest Rapid Rewards points at 1.3 cents apiece, so the 90,000-point bonus is worth about $1,170, the 85,000-point bonus about $1,105, and the 80,000-point bonus about $1,040.

These bonuses can also put you well on your way to the Southwest Companion Pass, which requires 135,000 qualifying points earned in a calendar year. Credit card welcome bonuses count toward that total, and Southwest cardholders also receive an annual 10,000-point bonus that qualifies.

The Companion Pass allows one designated companion to fly with you on any Southwest flight for only taxes and fees, which are just $5.60 each way on a domestic ticket. It can be used for an unlimited number of flights and applies to both cash and points bookings, making it one of the most valuable perks in domestic travel.

Beginning January 1, 2027, welcome offers will no longer count toward Companion Pass qualification. From that point on, eligibility will come only through flights or Tier Qualifying Points earned through spending. Any Companion Pass earned under the current rules before then can still be used through December 31, 2027. That means this may be one of the last strong chances to earn a Southwest Companion Pass relatively easily.

What the Southwest credit cards offer

The three cards come with different welcome offers, annual fees, earning rates, and benefits. Below is a quick look at each one so you can decide which fits your travel habits best. Southwest’s cards have recently changed, so it is worth reviewing the updated benefits carefully.

Southwest Plus Card

The Southwest Plus card is the most basic option, with a $99 annual fee. Its current perks include:

• 3,000 bonus points added to your account each anniversary year
• 2x points on Southwest purchases
• 2x points at gas stations and grocery stores on up to $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
• First checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation
• Ability to select a Standard seat within 48 hours of departure, subject to availability
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Southwest Premier Card

The Southwest Premier card is the midtier choice, with a $149 annual fee and stronger benefits. Those include:

• 6,000 anniversary bonus points each year
• 3x points on Southwest purchases, including flights, inflight purchases, and Southwest gift cards
• 2x points at grocery stores and restaurants on up to $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
• First checked bag free for the cardmember and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation
• Ability to choose a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours of departure, when available
• Group 5 boarding for the cardmember and up to 8 passengers on the same booking
• No foreign transaction fees

Southwest Priority Card

The Southwest Priority card is the top-tier option, with a $229 annual fee, but its perks are meant to help offset that cost. You get:

• 7,500 anniversary bonus points each year
• 4x points on Southwest purchases, including flights, inflight purchases, and Southwest gift cards
• 2x points at gas stations and restaurants
• First checked bag free for the cardmember and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation
• Complimentary Preferred seat selection at booking, when available
• Group 5 boarding for the cardmember and up to 8 passengers sharing a reservation
• No foreign transaction fees

Hot Tip:

Our Southwest credit card comparison guide can help you understand the similarities and differences so you can choose the best card for your wallet.

Final thoughts

Whether you want to build up Rapid Rewards points, work toward the Companion Pass, or simply get more value from Southwest travel, these offers are attractive across the board. The different spending requirements also make them accessible to a range of budgets.

The opportunity will not last long, though. All three offers are available only for a limited time, so if earning up to 90,000 Rapid Rewards points sounds appealing, it may be wise to act soon.