Two Southwest Airlines consumer cards are getting a welcome bonus boost.
The new bonus is 35,000 more points than the cards’ prior offer. Both cards previously featured the same welcome offer, which could earn new applicants 50,000 bonus points after they spent $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
NerdWallet values Southwest points at about 1.3 cents each, which means the new bonus can get new cardholders who meet the requirements more than $1,000. (Note that exact point values can vary depending on how you redeem them.)
All other features and benefits of the Southwest cards remain the same. Here’s how they compare:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Rates & Fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Rates & Fees
Rewards
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2 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases.
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2 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined spending each anniversary year.
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2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; on local transit and commuting, including rideshare and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.
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1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
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4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
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2 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants with no annual cap.
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2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; on local transit and commuting, including rideshare and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.
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1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Anniversary bonus
Earn 3,000 points automatically after your cardholder anniversary each year.
Earn 7,500 points automatically after your cardholder anniversary each year.
