Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
Chase's Southwest Entry-Level Travel Card
Practical Recommendation
This is the simple Southwest card that now comes with real perks: a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions, a 10% off flight code each year (excludes Basic fares), and 3,000 anniversary points. Add Group 5 boarding and standard seat selection within 48 hours (for 2026 flights), and it's easy day-to-day value.
If you fly Southwest even once a year, bag savings plus the 10% code can wipe out the annual fee. If you rarely touch Southwest, skip it. Bottom line: easy keeper for casual Southwest flyers who want benefits without fuss.
Credits
Practical Advice
This is what makes or breaks a card for you. If you can use these credits in your normal spend, the perks and protections are all bonus for you. We have a calculator at the bottom of this section to help you calculate that. Below we break down exactly what every credit is to show you if it's easy or if they're going to make you jump through 17 hoops to redeem it.
- Southwest EarlyBird Check-In (2 per year, 2025 flights) – Get reimbursed for up to two EarlyBird Check-In purchases per anniversary year on 2025 flights when paid with the card. Each purchase covers one-way per passenger; credit posts after the charge. Only relevant while open seating is in use (assigned seats begin for 2026 flights).
- DoorDash DashPass + $10 Quarterly Discount (through 12/31/27) – One 12-month DashPass membership (activation required) and $10 off one non-restaurant order each calendar quarter while enrolled and paying with the card. Fees/taxes/tips do not count; discount does not roll over.
| What It Is: | Reimbursement for up to two EarlyBird Check-In purchases each anniversary year on flights operating in 2025. |
| How It Works: | Buy EarlyBird with this card at booking or later; a statement credit posts after the charge. Each EarlyBird purchase is one-way, per passenger. |
| Gotchas: | Applies to 2025 flights only; not useful once assigned seating replaces open seating in 2026; price varies by route; account must be open and in good standing. |
| Who Actually Benefits: | Southwest travelers who like automatic earlier check-in without reminders. |
| Practical Value: | Worth exactly the EarlyBird fees you would have paid; easy if you'll use it twice in 2025. |
| What It Is: | One 12-month DashPass plus $10 off one non-restaurant DoorDash order each calendar quarter while enrolled and paying with the card. |
| How It Works: | Activate DashPass by Dec 31, 2027; membership runs 12 months from activation. Add the card as payment; select the quarterly $10 offer at checkout. |
| Gotchas: | Must activate; discount does not roll over; excludes gift cards; fees/taxes/gratuity still apply; membership auto-renews at current price unless canceled. |
| Who Actually Benefits: | Anyone already using DoorDash/Caviar a few times a year for retail or convenience items. |
| Practical Value: | Real savings if you already order; otherwise $0. |
This is effectively what you are paying for this card. It is now up to you if the perks, protections, and earning rates are worth this fee to you over other cards.
Perks
- Earning (full detail) – 2x on Southwest purchases; 2x at gas stations & grocery stores on the first $5,000 per anniversary year; plus through Dec 31, 2025: 2x with Rapid Rewards hotel & car partners, local transit & commuting (incl. rideshare), and internet/cable/phone & select streaming.
- First checked bag free (you + up to 8 companions) – Add your Rapid Rewards number; savings add up quickly on a single round trip.
- Group 5 boarding – You and up to eight on the same reservation board with Group 5 (earlier overhead-bin access).
- Seat selection (2026 flights) – Standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available (assigned seating begins for flights departing Jan 27, 2026).
- Anniversary & status help – 3,000 anniversary points each year; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually; plus 1,500 tier-qualifying points per $5,000 in card spend.
- 10% flight promo code (each anniversary year) – Single code deposited to your Rapid Rewards account; excludes Basic fares.
- 25% back inflight – Automatic 25% statement credit on eligible inflight purchases when you pay with the card.
- No foreign transaction fees – Use abroad without extra percentage fees.
Protections
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement – Up to $3,000 per covered traveler if the carrier loses or damages your bags.
- Baggage Delay Insurance – Up to $100/day for 3 days for essentials if your bag is delayed more than 6 hours.
- Purchase Protection – Covers eligible new items for 120 days against damage/theft, up to $500 per item.
- Extended Warranty – Adds 1 year on eligible U.S. warranties of 3 years or less (max 4 years total).