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Southwest Cards Get Huge Signup Bonus Increase
Chase announced an impressive signup bonus increase for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. New cardholders can now earn 40,000 points if they spend $1,000 within the first three months. It’s a great upgrade to a card with a great signup bonus!
Card highlights
There’s a lot of similarities between Chase’s Southwest cards: Each has a base rate of 2X points per dollar on Southwest and Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other purchases. Additionally:
- Points don’t expire as long as your card is open.
- No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem points for flights.
- First and second checked bags fly free.
- No change fees. (Fare differences may apply.)
But when it comes to points and fees, there are some differences. Here’s a quick guide:
| Southwest card comparison | Signup bonus | Annual fee | Foreign transaction fees? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | $69 | Yes: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | $99 | No |
Already applied?
If you’ve already applied for a Rapid Rewards® Credit Card within 90 days of the offer, and you’ve missed out on the signup bonus, don’t worry: Chase will match the higher offer on both personal and business cards. (To be eligible for matching, the offer must be a public, as opposed to an offer targeting a specific individual.)
Bonus benefit: Southwest Companion Pass
The Companion Pass is a major incentive for making Southwest your airline of choice. This members-only perk lets you designate one person to fly with you for 100% free for the following full calendar year, plus the remainder of the year in which you earned it. Earn a companion pass early enough in the year, and that’s two years’ worth of free flights for your chosen companion.
Here’s what you’ll need to qualify:
- 110,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
- 100 qualifying one-way flights.
(Note: you don’t have to own a Southwest credit card to earn a Companion Pass; any Rapid Rewards member who meets the criteria above can earn one.)
Too long, didn’t read?
If you’re ready to earn free travel, apply now with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card to earn your 40,000-point signup bonus (after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open).
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