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UPDATE: Welcome offers for the cards listed below may be out of date. Confirm the current welcome offers on each card issuer's site.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
There's no better feeling for travelers than scoring a good airline deal. So how does getting two airline tickets for the price of one for an entire year sound?
With Southwest Airlines' newest welcome bonus—one that applies to all three of the airline's co-branded consumer credit cards—new cardholders have the opportunity earn 50,000 bonus points, along with one of Southwest's most coveted perks: the Companion Pass.
Each Companion Pass holder is allowed take a designated travel buddy on as many flights as they'd like through February 28, 2024. They'll just have to pay the taxes and fees, which start at from $5.60 one-way—otherwise, the flight is practically free. You can also change who your travel companion is up to three times a year.
To earn the pass and the 50,000 bonus points, new cardholders must spend $1,000 on their card within the first three months of opening the account. The offer applies to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.
Usually it would take 100 qualifying one-way flights or 125,000 qualifying points earned in a calendar year to get access to the pass. But, after spending that $4,000 within the first three months of account opening, Southwest cardholders will get automatic access to a Companion Pass. What's more: This offer makes it even easier to earn the Companion Pass and bonus points than in the past, to the tune of $1,000 cheaper. (On previous offers, customers had to spend $5,000 on their new card in the first three months to earn the pass.)
9 Airline Credit Cards That Get You Free Companion Tickets
This offer is a great opportunity to start building loyalty with the ultra-flexible domestic airline. Southwest has never charged fees to change or cancel flights, and Rapid Rewards points never expire. Every flier is allotted two free checked bags as well. The budget airline flies throughout the mainland U.S., as well as to destinations in Hawaii, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean—all of which you can travel to alongside your designated companion.
The Companion Pass offer expires March 13, 2023—so don't wait too long if you're looking to get access to this rare welcome bonus.
The cards also have other points-earning opportunities, like ride shares and streaming services, alongside perks like two EarlyBird check-ins each year. To break it all down, here are the details on the three Southwest Airlines credit cards:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Welcome offer:
Earn 50,000 points and a Companion Pass, good for travel through February 28, 2024, after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Additional perks:
Cardholders receive 3,000 bonus points after their account anniversary each year. You'll also now get two EarlyBird check-ins per year, which means you won't have to worry about checking in on time to get an early boarding position. (Reminder: Southwest doesn't assign seats.) The card has traditionally earned two points for every dollar spent on purchases with Southwest and two points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. You'll also now earn two points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting (including rideshare services), and two points per dollar spent on select internet, cable, and phone services—as well as select streaming services. All other purchases garner one point per dollar—and you'll get 25 percent back on in-flight purchases.
Foreign transaction fees: Three percent
Annual fee: $69
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Welcome offer:
Just like the Plus, you'll earn 50,000 points and a Companion Pass, good for travel through February 28, 2024, after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Additional perks:
Cardholders receive 6,000 bonus points after their account anniversary each year. Like the Plus, you'll now get two EarlyBird check-ins per year, so you'll automatically to get an early boarding position. When to comes to earning points, you'll get three points for every dollar spent on purchases with Southwest and two points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. Now, you'll also earn two points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting (including rideshare services), and two points per dollar spent on select internet, cable, phone, and streaming services. All other purchases garner one point per dollar—and you'll get 25 percent back on in-flight purchases. You'll also earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $10,000 you spend—and there's no limit the TQPs you can earn in a year.
Foreign transaction fees: None
Annual fee: $99
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Welcome offer:
The Priority is also offering a welcome offer of 50,000 points and a Companion Pass, good for travel through February 28, 2024, after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Additional perks:
As Southwest's more premium card, Priority cardholders get some nice travel perks, like an annual $75 travel credit with the airline and four upgraded boardings per year (when available). You'll also receive 25 percent back on in-flight co*cktail purchases and Wi-Fi purchases. On your account anniversary each year, you'll be awarded 7,500 Rapid Rewards points. You'll also be able to earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $10,000 you spend—and there's no limit the TQPs you can earn in a year.
The Priority has the same earning structure as the Premier card: Three points per dollar spent on purchases with Southwest; two points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners; two points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshares; and two points per dollar spent on select internet, cable, phone, and streaming services. All other purchases earn one point per dollar.
Foreign transaction fees: None
Annual fee: $149
Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Additional reporting by Jessica Puckett.
