Perhaps most importantly, all points earned with the card will count toward qualification for the Companion Pass, which can be an invaluable perk for frequent Southwest fliers. For just the price of taxes and fees—which start at $5.60 one way on domestic flights—cardholders can bring a friend or family member on any itinerary they’ve purchased or redeemed points for. The companion pass usually requires either 100 one-way qualifying flights each year or 125,000 points—but if you earn the welcome bonus, you’ll be just 25,000 points away from securing it.
One important thing to note: The pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it, plus the rest of the following year. To maximize your time with it, meet the spending requirement early in 2022, ensuring you’ll have the pass for most of next year plus all of 2023.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Like the Plus, the Premier is offering 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on the card in the first three months and another 50,000 after spending $12,000 in the first 12 months.
The card comes with a higher annual fee—$99—but also a heftier list of perks and enhanced earning opportunities. Cardholders get 6,000 anniversary points each year, and they now have the ability to earn three points per dollar on Southwest purchases; two points per dollar on local transit and commuting, Internet, cable, phone, select streaming, and purchases with Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners; and one point per dollar on everything else.
Premier cardholders will pick up two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year, too, plus the ability to put all points accrued with the card—including the welcome bonus—toward Companion Pass qualification.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
The priciest card of the trio at $149, the Priority now boasts the same welcome offer, granting new cardholders the ability to earn 50,000 bonus points after putting $2,000 on the card in the first three months and 50,000…