Time is running out to qualify for the latest increasedSouthwest credit cardwelcome bonuses. These offers are worth 80,000 to 90,000 bonus points and can provide a massive boost toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass this year.
You have until 9 a.m. EST on July 2, 2026, to apply for these limited-time welcome bonuses. Let’s take a look at each of these offers and other travel credit card bonuses that can help you earn Southwest points.
Last Chance: Increased Southwest credit card bonuses
Limited-time Southwest credit card offers
Right now, you earn 50% (or higher) more bonus points compared to the standard welcome bonuses for these cards.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority (see rates and fees), earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first three months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a perfect fit for serious Southwest fans who can easily maximize its benefits like upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 7,500 bonus points every card member anniversary
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- Limited value when you’re not traveling with Southwest
- High annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines®purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
New Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier (see rates and fees) cardholders earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first three months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is Southwest’s mid-tier card and is valuable if you regularly travel to or from destinations Southwest serves.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an affordable card that makes sense for the occasional Southwest traveler.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 3,000 bonus points every card member anniversary
- Not especially rewarding for common expenses such as groceries or dining
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines®purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
4 ways these cards help you earn a Companion Pass
With a Southwest Companion Pass, you can bring a designated companion along with you on any available Southwest flight for the cost of taxes and fees. But getting one isn’t easy.
To earn a Southwest Companion Pass, you need 100 qualifying one-way flights or to earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Having a Southwest credit card helps you earn qualifying points in four ways:
- Every year, you receive 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, so you have a lower annual target of 125,000 qualifying points.
- The welcome bonus you earn counts as qualifying points. For these offers, you would only need 45,000 to 35,000 more qualifying points this year to earn a Companion Pass.
- The points you earn from spending on the card count as qualifying points.
- The annual bonus you receive on your account anniversary (3,000 to 7,500 depending on the card) also helps you earn a companion pass.
In addition to all of the Companion Pass help, these cards come with a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation, no foreign transaction fees, Group 5 boarding and more.
Other ways to earn 100,000+ Southwest points
With the right Chase card, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio. That makes the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s (see rates and fees) all-time high welcome offer of 100,000 points (after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening) an enticing offer for frequent Southwest flyers.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase’s travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- Annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 – a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business brings over $3,000 in value to business owners who value travel and premium experiences
- $400in annual statement credits on purchases made directly with ZipRecruiter.
- $300 annual travel crediteach anniversary year
- $120 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexusfeecredit every four years
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwidewith your complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations with two complimentary guests
- Can transfer rewards to all of Chase’s 14 travel partners
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite statusthrough 12/31/27
- Comprehensive suite of travel and purchase protections
- High annual fee
- Significant value tied to statement credits
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
- $7,000+ in value your first year. 200K points, valued at $4,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase TravelSM, plus $3,000+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
- Earn 8x points on Chase TravelSMfor airline tickets, hotels, including The EditSM, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
- Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
- Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge®by The Club network and Priority PassTMSelect membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
- Member FDIC
These are larger welcome bonuses than what any of the Southwest consumer or business cards currently offer. However, point transfers won’t help you earn a Southwest Companion Pass. So if that’s what you’re working toward, a Southwest credit card makes more sense.
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