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

The three personal cards are currently offering new cardholders an elevated 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 or more on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Now is the last call to secure one of these offers, as they will end on Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. EST.

Now may be the best time to apply for these cards, because you could use them to jump-start earning almost two whole years of the valuable Companion Pass — if you time your spending correctly.

However, with Southwest’s sweeping strategy changes (many of which have already taken effect), you may want to factor in what traveling with the airline will look like in 2026.

With this in mind, let’s look at the current welcome bonuses on the Southwest Airlines 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 December 2025 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 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 Plus Credit Card

Best for: Beginners and infrequent travelers

Annual fee: $99

Welcome bonus: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. EST.

This is one of the higher welcome offers that excludes a Companion Pass we’ve seen in the card’s history and is worth $1,148, per TPG’s December 2025 valuations.

Earning rates:

• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year (on the first $5,000 in combined spending)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit purchases, including ride-hailing services (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on cable, internet, phone services and select streaming service purchases (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partner bookings (ends Dec. 31)
• 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 economy)
• 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
• Two EarlyBird check-ins annually (ends Dec. 31)

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

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

Best for: Regular Southwest flyers

Annual fee: $149

Welcome bonus: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. EST.

This is one of the higher welcome offers that excludes a Companion Pass we’ve seen in the card’s history and is worth $1,148, per TPG’s December 2025 valuations.

Earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year (on the first $8,000 in combined spending)
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit purchases, including ride-hailing services (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on cable, internet, phone services and select streaming service purchases (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partner bookings (ends Dec. 31)
• 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 economy)
• 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 points Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually
• Two EarlyBird check-ins annually (ends Dec. 31)

Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card review

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

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

Annual fee: $229

Welcome bonus: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. EST.

This is one of the higher welcome offers that excludes a Companion Pass we’ve seen in the card’s history and is worth $1,148, per TPG’s December 2025 valuations.

Earning rates:

• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases (previously 3 points per dollar)
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit purchases, including ride-hailing services (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on cable, internet, phone services and select streaming service purchases (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partner bookings (ends Dec. 31)
• 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 points Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually
• Four upgraded boardings (ends Dec. 31)
• Two EarlyBird check-ins annually (ends Dec. 31)
• $75 annual Southwest credit (ends Dec. 31)

TPG named this card the Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card for the second year in a row at the 2024 TPG Awards, but only time will tell if it retains that title at this year’s awards.

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

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

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 Credit Card

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 $1,080 based on TPG’s December 2025 valuations. This is the standard welcome offer we’ve typically seen in the card’s history, so if you can afford to wait, we’d recommend it in order to get a larger stash of points.

Earning rates:

• 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 3 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partner bookings (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants (no annual cap)
• 2 points per dollar spent on hotel stays booked directly
• 2 points per dollar spent on cable and phone services, internet, paid search advertising and social media (ends Dec. 31)
• 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 credit
• 25% discount on inflight purchases
• 9,000 points every cardholder anniversary
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually
• Four upgraded boardings per year (ends Dec. 31)
• Up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year (ends Dec. 31)
• $500 fee credit for Southwest Rapid Rewards points transfers to another Rapid Rewards member (ends Dec. 31)

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 Credit Card

Best for: Business owners who fly Southwest regularly

Annual fee: $149

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $810 based on TPG’s December 2025 valuations. This is the standard welcome offer we’ve typically seen in the card’s history.

Earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year (on the first $8,000 in combined spending)
• 2 points per dollar spent on commuting and local transit purchases, including ride-hailing services (ends Dec. 31)
• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards car rental and hotel partner bookings (ends Dec. 31)
• 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
• $500 fee credit for Rapid Rewards points transfers to another Rapid Rewards member (ends Dec. 31)

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

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Should you apply for a Southwest credit card now?

Southwest has many fans who love the airline’s personality. However, many of its most prominent and popular benefits, such as free checked bags with every ticket, have gone away, which changes the value proposition.

If you’re familiar with Southwest as it has been, you should learn about how it has changed before you make a decision.

Credit card holders can check one bag for free for themselves and up to eight companions on the reservation, saving themselves the added cost of paying $35 per bag 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.

The number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points required to book a flight is “dynamic,” which means redemption rates could be higher or lower depending on the flight’s demand.

Southwest also adjusted its policy toward cancellation and change fees, and now, only certain fare types qualify for waived fees. Free same-day standby is also now limited to certain fare types.

You can get excellent value with the Companion Pass offered on Southwest’s cards. This perk allows you to bring a designated travel companion on all your Southwest flights — both paid and award tickets (you must pay taxes and fees).

To get a Companion Pass, you must earn 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Additionally, credit card welcome bonuses and points earned from card spending count toward qualification.

The current offers on the personal cards will get you over halfway to Companion Pass qualification just by earning the welcome bonus. Southwest cardholders get a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost at the beginning of the year (for existing cardholders) or within 30 days of opening an account (for new members). When you add this 10,000-point boost, you’re within just 40,000 points of earning the Companion Pass.

The standard Companion Pass is valid for the year it’s earned and the entire following year.

To maximize your time with the Companion Pass, you’ll want to time your credit card application and spending so that your welcome bonus posts after the start of the new year. This makes now a great time to apply for one of these cards since we’re approaching 2026.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a new Southwest card, you could collect a solid haul of points from applying now.

Most notably, the three personal cards are offering elevated welcome offers, which can help you fast-track your way to a Companion pass. If you’ve been eyeing one of these cards, now is a great time to apply. And, it’s last call to secure an offer before they end on Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. EST.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier 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