Earn 80K Points With a Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Limited-Time Fall Offer | Credit Cards
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While many travelers are reeling from the recently announced changes to Southwest Companion Pass and elite status qualification, Chase has launched a new promotion to remove some of the sting. When you open a Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, you can earn 80,000 points after spending just $1,000 in the first three months. This last-minute welcome bonus offer can help you qualify for the Companion Pass through Dec. 31, 2027, even if you don’t meet the spending threshold until early 2027.
At a Glance
- There’s a limited-time offer on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, available to those who receive Southwest Rapid Rewards emails.
- Bonus points count toward the Southwest Companion Pass through 2027.
- Cardholders receive exclusive benefits on Southwest, including first checked bag free and complimentary standard seat assignment.
All We Know About the Offer
New Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 80,000 Rapid Reward points after spending $1,000 within three months from opening the card. This spending requirement is substantially lower than the usual $3,000 to $5,000 that cardholders normally have to meet. And the offer is available only to Rapid Rewards members who receive Southwest emails.
While there isn’t a stated end date for this welcome offer, there is a deadline if you want to qualify for the 2027 Southwest Companion Pass. When you apply for the card by Dec. 2, 2026, the welcome bonus counts toward meeting the 135,000 bonus points required to earn the Companion Pass for 2027, even if you don’t meet the spending requirement until early next year.
Qualification for the Companion Pass is changing for 2027, and many travelers may find it harder to earn next year based on their current travel habits. So, this is a bit of an olive branch by Southwest to customers who want to earn the Companion Pass.
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Who Should Consider This Card
Frequent travelers and families who value the Companion Pass should jump on this offer. You can earn 80,000 points from opening the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and be more than halfway to the 135,000 points required to earn the pass. With regular spending, a few flights and some partner activity – each dollar spent on a Rapid Rewards card earns at least one point, with bonus points in some spending categories – it may be realistic to reach 135,000 points next year.
Beyond the welcome bonus, the Southwest Plus Card is also ideal for travelers who want free checked bags and priority boarding for only a $99 annual fee. The free checked bag benefit saves $45 each way for you and up to eight people on your flight, and you’ll get on the plane sooner by boarding in Group 5. The card also includes a 10% flight discount each year to save money on your next ticket.
Alternative Card to Consider
With Southwest making major changes to its loyalty programs, many travelers are becoming free agents when booking flights. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus points on travel, dining, gas and EV charging. Like the Southwest Plus Card, its annual fee is under $100, yet it includes numerous benefits like a $100 Chase Travel℠ hotel credit, a free year of Apple TV, complimentary DashPass membership and robust travel protections. New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Ultimate Rewards redemptions include booking travel, cash back and transferring to partners (including Southwest).
