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Southwest Credit Cards: Historic 100,000 Point Offers Worth $1,300+ (Limited Time)
July 1, 2025
Southwest Airlines just launched its biggest credit card welcome bonus ever – 100,000 Rapid Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening. With major changes coming to Southwest's policies, should you actually apply? Here's our analysis.
Record-Breaking 100,000 Point Welcome Bonus
Through September 17, 2025, all three Southwest personal credit cards offer the same massive bonus:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card ($99 annual fee)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2159", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Additional Travel Benefits" } ]]
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ($149 annual fee)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2161", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Fantastic Travel Choice" } ]]
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card ($229 annual fee)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2162", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Southwest Loyalists", "headerHint" : "Generous Benefits and Perks" } ]]
Our Take: At 1.3 cents per point, this bonus is worth over $1,300 in Southwest flights.
Perfect Timing for Companion Pass 2026-2027
This 5-month spending window is ideal for earning the Southwest Companion Pass:
- Apply in early September 2025
- Complete most spending in 2025, finish after January 1, 2026
- 100,000 bonus + 10,000 annual boost = 110,000 toward the 135,000 requirement
- Result: Two years of buy-one-get-one-free flights
What's Changed: Higher Fees, Mixed Benefits
Annual Fee Increases (new applicants):
- Plus: $69 → $99 (+$30)
- Premier: $99 → $149 (+$50)
- Priority: $149 → $229 (+$80)
New Benefits (starting January 27, 2026):
- First checked bag free (cardholder + 8 companions)
- Group 5 priority boarding
- Seat selection 48 hours before departure
- Priority card gets preferred seats at booking
Lost Benefits (ending December 31, 2025):
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services
- EarlyBird Check-In credits
- Priority card loses $75 annual travel credit
Which Card We Recommend
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ($149) - Our Top Pick
Best for: Regular Southwest flyers who want solid value
Why We Like It:
- 6,000 anniversary bonus points (~$78 value)
- 15% annual flight discount code
- 2X points on dining and groceries (first $8,000/year)
- Preferred seat selection 48 hours out
- Only $50 more than Plus for significantly better perks
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card ($99) - Budget Option
Best for: Occasional flyers (2-3 times/year)
- Lowest annual fee
- 10% annual flight discount
- Standard seat selection only
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card ($229) - Premium Choice
Best for: Frequent Southwest flyers
- Preferred seats at booking (not just 48 hours)
- 4X points on Southwest purchases
- No annual discount code (surprisingly)
Should You Apply?
✅ Yes, If:
- You're targeting the Companion Pass for 2026-2027
- You fly Southwest with checked bags 2+ times yearly
- You can time spending to finish in January 2026
❌ Skip If:
- You don't fly Southwest regularly
- You're over Chase's 5/24 rule
- You got a Southwest bonus within 24 months
Our Strategy: Earn and Burn
Given Southwest's rapid changes (assigned seating, dynamic pricing, potential Companion Pass elimination), we recommend grabbing this historic bonus for immediate value rather than long-term loyalty.
Bottom Line
This is Southwest's best credit card offer ever. If you fly Southwest at least twice yearly, apply for the Premier Card in early September 2025 to maximize Companion Pass timing.
Key Dates:
- Offer expires: September 17, 2025
- Apply: Early September 2025
- Finish spending: January 2026
The Southwest landscape may never look this attractive again – act strategically while this opportunity lasts.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
