Last chance for these Southwest credit card offers: Earn up to 90,000 Rapid Rewards points – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Southwest Airlines has raised the welcome bonuses on its three personal credit cards, giving cardholders a final window to earn between 80,000 and 90,000 Rapid Rewards points. The promotions end at 9 a.m. Eastern time on July 2, after which the offers revert to standard levels. For travelers who value points over a Companion Pass, the current terms represent a clear, time-limited opportunity to build balances ahead of future flights.
The changes come as Southwest continues to adjust its product after ending free checked bags for all passengers in May 2025 and introducing assigned seating earlier this year. Card benefits such as free checked bags for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions remain intact, providing a direct offset to recent policy shifts for frequent flyers.
Personal Cards Carry the Largest Bonuses
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier, and Priority cards each carry elevated sign-up offers that exceed their typical levels. These promotions require modest spending thresholds within the first three months and deliver points valued between $1,000 and $1,125 under current redemption estimates.
Cardholders who meet the minimum spend receive points that can be used for award flights on Southwest or transferred to partners. The structure favors travelers who already book Southwest regularly and want to accelerate their point balances without waiting for a Companion Pass promotion.
Business Cards Remain at Standard Levels
The two business versions of the Southwest cards continue to advertise their usual welcome bonuses. The Premier Business card offers 60,000 points after $3,000 in spending, while the Performance Business card provides 80,000 points after $5,000 in spending. Both figures align with historical norms rather than the temporary increases seen on the personal side.
Business owners who qualify for these cards may therefore prefer to wait for stronger offers or Companion Pass incentives before applying. The current terms still include useful perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding, yet the point bonuses lack the same urgency as the personal-card promotions.
Comparison of Current Welcome Offers
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Spend | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Rewards Plus | 80,000 points | $1,000 | $99 |
| Rapid Rewards Premier | 85,000 points | $2,000 | $149 |
| Rapid Rewards Priority | 90,000 points | $3,000 | $229 |
| Premier Business | 60,000 points | $3,000 | $149 |
| Performance Business | 80,000 points | $5,000 | $299 |
Values shown reflect TPG’s June 2026 point valuations. All offers require the stated spending within three months of approval and conclude at the same July 2 deadline for the personal cards.
Practical Benefits and Recent Policy Context
Every Southwest personal and business card continues to provide a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder plus up to eight companions on the same reservation. This benefit directly offsets the $45 per bag fee that now applies to most fares. Additional recurring perks include anniversary bonus points, inflight purchase discounts, and Companion Pass qualifying points.
Recent operational changes at Southwest have altered the value proposition for some travelers. Dynamic award pricing can increase the number of points required for popular routes, and free same-day standby is now restricted to certain fare classes. Cardholders who fly several times a year can still use the free-bag and priority-boarding features to manage costs and convenience.
Timing Considerations for Applicants
Travelers who expect to meet the spending requirements before July 2 can capture the elevated bonuses on the personal cards. Those who place greater value on a Companion Pass or who prefer larger point awards may choose to wait for future promotions. Business-card applicants face no immediate deadline pressure given the standard offers currently in place.
The decision ultimately rests on individual travel patterns and whether the immediate points outweigh the possibility of stronger incentives later in the year. Southwest loyalists who book multiple trips in the coming months stand to gain the most from acting before the current window closes.
