With the holiday travel season approaching, Southwest credit cards are giving new applicants bigger welcome bonuses and one last opportunity to have those points count toward a Companion Pass.
Through Dec. 2, 2026, eligible new cardholders of Southwest Rapid Rewards consumer credit cards can earn up to 90,000 bonus points after meeting the spending requirement. It is the final chance for these offers to count toward a 2026 Companion Pass, which will remain valid through Dec. 31, 2027. Even if the bonus spending threshold is met in early 2027, it will still qualify under these rules. After that, Southwest’s updated policy will stop welcome offers and other incentives from counting toward Companion Pass qualification beginning in 2027.
Here’s a closer look at what each card is offering.
How the offers stack up
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
on Chase's website
Rates & Fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
on Chase's website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
New welcome offers
Earn 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months from account opening.
(Previous offer: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account.)
Earn 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first 3 months from account opening.
(Previous offer: 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account.)
Earn 90,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months from account opening.
(Previous offer: 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account.)
Rewards
2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined spending each anniversary year.
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
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.
Perks
3,000 points every anniversary.
10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost each calendar year. (Note: Companion Pass rules are changing Jan. 1, 2027.)
Free checked bag for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
Standard seat selection within 48 hours before departure, when available, for you and up to eight passengers on the same reservation for flights in 2026.
Group 5 boarding for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
25% back on in-flight purchases.
10% promo code each year for a flight discount, excluding basic fare.
6,000 points every anniversary.
10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost each calendar year. (Note: Companion Pass rules are changing Jan. 1, 2027.)
Free checked bag for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
Standard seat selection within 48 hours before departure, when available, for you and up to eight passengers on the same reservation for flights in 2026.
Group 5 boarding for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
25% back on in-flight purchases.
15% promo code each year for a flight discount, excluding basic fare.
1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 spent on the card each calendar year, with no limit on the amount you can earn.
7,500 points every anniversary.
10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost per calendar year. (Note: Companion Pass rules are changing Jan. 1, 2027.)
Free checked bag for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
Standard seat selection within 48 hours before departure, when available, for you and up to eight passengers on the same reservation for flights in 2026.
Group 5 boarding for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
25% back on in-flight purchases.
2,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 spent on the card each calendar year, with no limit on the amount you can earn.
When available, unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours prior to departure for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
Still not sure?
More from Digilifetrends
I Usually Pay Credit Cards in Full, Yet I Still Take Advantage of 0% APR Deals
A longtime points-and-miles enthusiast, Jessica previously served as Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and enjoys helping consumers stretch their…
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-27Citi Raises AAdvantage Platinum Select Card Annual Fee to $150: New Perks, Same Gaps
Another airline credit card is getting a refresh, and as usual, the changes come with a higher annual fee.
10 min read · Updated 2026-10-27Citi is raising costs on two American Airlines credit cards while revamping rewards
Citi is updating two of its best-known credit card offerings, and the overhaul will cost customers more.
1 min read · Updated 2026-10-27