The Plus is the cheapest way to get Southwest card perks, with a $99 annual fee that buys a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, complimentary Standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available, and a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost each year. Chase recently cut the signup bonus from 80,000 to 50,000 points, though the $1,000 spend requirement remains easy to hit. Earning is modest: 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and on gas and groceries (up to $5,000 a year combined), and 1 point on everything else. The 3,000 anniversary points are thinner than on the pricier Southwest cards, and DashPass and up to $120 in Instacart credits require enrollment. It makes the most sense for occasional Southwest flyers who will use the bag benefit at least once or twice a year.
Earn rates & credits
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
Airlines Southwest Airlines purchases | 2x |
Gas Gas stations and grocery stores (first $5,000/year) on first $5,000/yr, then 1x | 2x |
Groceries Gas stations and grocery stores (first $5,000/year) on first $5,000/yr, then 1x | 2x |
Everything Else | 1x |
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
Anniversary Points Bonus 3,000 bonus points credited to your Rapid Rewards account each year on your account anniversary | 3,000 points /yr |
Companion Pass Boost 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points deposited each year by January 31 | 10,000 points /yr |
Instacart Credit Up to $120 in annual Instacart credits including $0 delivery fees with 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit. | $120 /yr |
| Total annual credits | $120 |
Card details
Regular APR | 19.24%–27.74% variable |
Foreign transaction fee | None |