While all this change is a lot to process \u2014 and is leading to much backlash \u2014 all is not doom and gloom at Southwest. Let's look at some reasons to be positive about the airline as we wade through the upcoming changes.<\/p>\n
Page Contents<\/p>
- Route Convenience<\/a><\/li>
- Rapid Rewards Points are Still Easy to Earn<\/a>
- Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards<\/a><\/li>
- Transfer points from Chase or Bilt<\/a><\/li>
- Receive bonus points via Southwest hotel, rental car, and shopping portals<\/a><\/li>
- Earn Rapid Rewards points by flying Southwest<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Rapid Rewards Points Are Easy To Redeem<\/a><\/li>
- Will Rapid Rewards Provide Consistent Value?<\/a><\/li>
- Great for Families by Earning Southwest\u2019s Famous Companion Pass<\/a><\/li>
- Some Flyers are Largely Unaffected by New Bag Fees<\/a><\/li>
- Boarding and Seating Changes<\/a><\/li>
- Extremely Friendly Award Change and Cancelation Policy<\/a>
- \u00a0… but Southwest flight credits now expire<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Route Convenience<\/span><\/h2>\n
If you're looking for rewards that can take you to the opposite side of the world, Southwest isn't the best choice. But, if you're like most U.S. flyers (and AwardWallet members), most of your travel is within Southwest's route network.<\/p>\n
Southwest serves 120+ destinations with a fleet of 800+ Boeing 737s. If the airline can't get you where you need to go, there's a high chance you can get pretty close.<\/p>\n
![\"Screenshot-2025-02-25-at-5.54.29\u202fPM-1024x735\"](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: Southwest<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n If Southwest extensively serves your home airport, the Rapid Rewards<\/a> program can still deliver excellent value. While Southwest loyalists may be more prone to compare flight prices than before, sometimes convenience is more valuable than other factors. For example, a Nashville (BNA) flyer just can't beat the reach of Southwest nonstop flights from their home airport.<\/p>\n
Southwest flights from Nashville (BNA). Credit: Flight Connections<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Rapid Rewards Points are Still Easy to Earn<\/span><\/h2>\n
Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is great for accumulating a ton of points quickly and easily. The faster you earn points, the sooner you can treat yourself to a vacation.<\/p>\n
In addition to points earned from flying, members can take advantage of a full lineup of co-brand credit cards issued by Chase or transfer Ultimate Rewards points<\/a> or Bilt Rewards<\/a> to Southwest. You can also buy Southwest points<\/a> and earn extra points on hotels, car rentals, dining, and online shopping through Southwest's travel, dining, and shopping portals.<\/p>\n
Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards<\/span><\/h3>\n
There are five flavors of Southwest credit cards<\/a> \u2014 three personal cards and two business cards. What makes these cards worth a look is that all points earned with them \u2014 including the signup bonus \u2014 count towards the Southwest Companion Pass. More on that later.<\/p>\n
Here's a side-by-side comparison of Southwest's personal credit cards:<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div>Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div>Apply Now<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$99Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- 2X points per $1 spent on Southwest\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n
- 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year<\/li>\r\n
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Premier Credit Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$149<\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- 3X points per $1 spent on all Southwest\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n
- 2X points per $1 spent at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year<\/li>\r\n
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div>Apply Now<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
- Transfer points from Chase or Bilt<\/a><\/li>
- Rapid Rewards Points are Still Easy to Earn<\/a>
![\"Screenshot-2025-02-25-at-5.54.29\u202fPM-1024x735\"](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-25-at-5.54.29\u202fPM-1024x735.png\")
![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-at-6.00.45\u202fPM-1024x682.png\")
![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPlusCreditCard.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPremierCreditCard.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPriorityCreditCard.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Southwest\u00ae](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPerformanceBusinessCreditCard.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Southwest\u00ae](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPremierBusinessCreditCard.png\")
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