This post has been updated with current offers. It was originally published on September 10, 2019
Most cobranded airline credit cards have a tough time holding their own against transferable points cards these days, but Southwest’s diverse portfolio of personal and business cards is a notable exception. That’s because signing up for these cards is the fastest way to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, and a year or more of free flying for your designated companion.
If you haven’t already, now is the best time of year to start your quest towards the Companion Pass. That’s because the pass is valid through the end of the year after the year in which you earn it, which means if you earn the Companion Pass in January 2020 it will be valid through Dec. 31, 2021, giving you almost two full years of free flying.
This one of the most sought-after travel perks in the entire industry. It requires 125,000 Southwest points earned in one calendar year (as of Jan 1, 2020) to score it, but there’s a move you can make right now to earn those points with just two credit cards.
Right now, all three personal Southwest credit cards are offering a sign-up bonus of 40,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Meanwhile, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card has a sign-up bonus of 70,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. Pair the Performance card with one of the other three cards, and you’ve made it to the magic threshold to earn that coveted Companion Pass.
Sign-up offer details
Based on TPG’s valuations (1.5 cents), the 40,000-point bonus is worth $600, and all of these points count toward the 125,000 needed to earn the Companion Pass the “traditional” way. $1,000 in three months is a pretty low spending requirement, and this offer is available on all three of Southwest’s personal credit cards:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
The names don’t exactly clarify how these three cards differ, but they have annual fees ranging from $69 to $149 and varying perks. Here’s more info on how they stack up:
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | |
| Annual fee | $69 | $99 | $149 |
| Anniversary points bonus | 3,000 Rapid Rewards points | 6,000 Rapid Rewards points | 7,500 Rapid Rewards points |
| Earning rates | 2x on Southwest flights and hotel and car rental partners
1x everywhere else |
2x on Southwest flights and hotel and car rental partners
1x everywhere else |
2x on Southwest flights and hotel and car rental partners
1x everywhere else |
| Other perks | N/A | N/A | $75 annual Southwest travel credit
Four upgraded boardings per year (when available) 20% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi |
| Tier Qualifying Points | N/A | Earn up to 15,000 TQPs a year, 1,500 for each $10,000 spent | Earn up to 15,000 TQPs a year, 1,500 for each $10,000 spent |
| Foreign-transaction fee | 3% | None | None |
As all three cards are offering an identical welcome bonus, you should pick the one with the annual fee and benefits to match your needs. Not everyone will need the extra perks like four upgraded boardings with the Priority Card, for example.
Eligibility
You won’t be able to earn this sign-up bonus, let alone open one of these personal Southwest cards, if:
- You already hold a personal Southwest credit card.
- You’ve earned a new card member bonus on a Southwest consumer credit card in the last 24 months.
- You’re over 5/24 — meaning you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months. This is a Chase policy that means there’s virtually zero chance you’ll be accepted for most of its cards if you’re over the 5/24 limit.
Using points
The number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points required to book a flight is directly tied to the current fare of the flight, so they’re the best way to redeem them. Southwest is great for families traveling with lap children as well as flexible travelers, since there aren’t any cancellation or change fees on its flights.
Bottom line
Especially with Southwest’s addition of service to Hawaii, boosting your Rapid Rewards points balance could be a smart move. With 40,000 points, you could be well on your way to the islands or to any of the destinations (including some international gems) the airline flies to, so this offer on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is worth a look. And if you tack on the 70,000 additional points from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, you’ll soon be flying with a companion anywhere Southwest flies.
Additional reporting by Katie Genter. Featured photo of Southwest aircraft at Houston Hobby by Stephen M. Keller / Southwest.
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