For Southwest Airlines loyalists, a cobranded Southwest credit card is a great way to earn points toward travel.

Right now, the carrier’s two business cards are offering the same bonus, but with different spending requirements.

If you’re looking for a solid chunk of Rapid Rewards points without paying a high annual fee, the new bonus on the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) is worth serious consideration.

Let’s take a look at the current welcome bonuses on Southwest’s personal and business credit cards.

Comparison of the Southwest card welcome offers

Here’s a look at the Southwest welcome offers at first glance:

*Welcome offer value is based on TPG’s September 2026 valuations.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Southwest business cards

If you qualify for a business credit card and fly Southwest frequently, consider one of the carrier’s cobranded business cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Best for: Business owners who are loyal Southwest flyers

Annual fee: $299

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $1,000, based on TPG’s valuations. This is the standard welcome offer we see on this card, so if you can, we’d recommend waiting in order to get a larger stash of points.

Earning rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit, at gas stations and restaurants (no annual cap) and on hotel stays booked directly
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Earn tier-qualifying points toward A-List elite status
• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• Preferred seat selection at booking (when available)
• Unlimited ability to earn 2,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually
• Unlimited upgrades to an extra-legroom seat 48 hours prior to departure at no charge (when available)
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit (every 4 years)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 9,000 points every cardholder anniversary
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business

Best for: Business owners who fly Southwest regularly

Annual fee: $149

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $1,000, according to TPG’s valuations. It’s one of the most lucrative bonuses we’ve seen on this card in the last six years, so now is a fantastic time to apply.

Earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants each anniversary year (on the first $8,000 in combined spending)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure (when available)
• Unlimited ability to earn 2,000 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually
• 15% flight discount promo code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 6,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest personal cards

Whether you fly Southwest just a couple of times each year or it’s your exclusive airline, consider one of the carrier’s cobranded credit cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Best for: Southwest loyalists who can take advantage of day-of-travel perks

Annual fee: $229

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

The points offered in this bonus are worth $750, according to TPG’s valuations. This does not meet our threshold for when to apply, so it’s worth waiting for a higher bonus.

Earning rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• Preferred seat selection at booking (when available)
• Unlimited ability to earn 2,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually toward A-List status
• Unlimited upgrades to extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure at no charge (when available)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 7,500-point anniversary bonus
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

Best for: Regular Southwest flyers

Annual fee: $149

Welcome bonus: Earn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s valuations, the points are worth $688. We tend to see higher offers on this card, so it’s worth waiting to apply.

Earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants each anniversary year (on the first $8,000 in combined spending)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• One promotional 15% flight discount each anniversary year (excludes Basic fares)
• Preferred seat selection 48 hours prior to departure (when available)
• Unlimited ability to earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent annually toward A-List status
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 6,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually

Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card review

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Best for: Beginners and infrequent travelers

Annual fee: $99

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s valuations, this offer is worth $625. This is the lowest offer we tend to see on this card, so it’s worth waiting for an elevated bonus.

Earning rates:

• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year (on the first $5,000 in combined spending) and on Southwest purchases and Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Notable perks:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
• Group 5 priority boarding
• No foreign transaction fees
• One promotional 10% flight discount each anniversary year (excludes Basic fares)
• Standard seat selection 48 hours prior to departure (when available)
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 3,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Should you apply for a Southwest credit card?

Southwest has fans who love the airline’s personality.

Credit card holders can check one bag for free (for themselves and up to eight companions on the reservation), avoiding the $45 per bag fee each way. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred and Business Select members receive two free checked bags (A-List members only receive one checked bag; weight and size limits apply).

Southwest uses dynamic award pricing, which means redemption rates can be higher or lower depending on flight demand. Plus, only certain fare types qualify for waived fees.

Free same-day standby is also limited to certain fare types.

Bottom line

If you frequently fly solo or place more value on Rapid Rewards points than a Companion Pass, these offers may excite you. Southwest’s current credit card offers deliver decent value, especially for those looking to boost their Rapid Rewards balance.

If you’re not in a rush, it may be worth holding out for the return of a Companion Pass offer. But if you’re ready to earn points now and have a redemption in mind, one of these cards could definitely make sense.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card