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Buckle Up~
Southwest Airlines is transforming its loyalty program and card portfolio — it’s a big shake-up with new perks, assigned seating, and BIG welcome bonuses. The downside? Their credit cards now have higher fees. Here’s what’s new and who might benefit.
Key Airline & Rapid Rewards Updates
- Buh-bye, Bags Fly Free
As of May 28, 2025, Southwest pulled the plug on their beloved “bags fly free” policy for most travelers. Womp womp. Now, unless you’ve got a Southwest credit card, A‑List status, Business Select ticket, or a premium fare, you’ll be paying to check that bag. (So yeah… pack light or pack points.)
- Assigned Seating?! Yep.
Starting July 29, 2025, Southwest is stepping into the 21st century (sort of) with assigned seating. By January 27, 2026, you’ll start seeing new fare types: Standard, Preferred, and Extra-Legroom. The good news? If you’ve got a Southwest credit card, you’ll score early boarding and get dibs on those comfier seats. No more Hunger Games during Group B!
- Cash + Points Just Got a Glow-Up
Beginning January 1, 2025, if you book with a mix of cash + points, you’ll now actually earn full Rapid Rewards points plus credit toward A-List and the Companion Pass. Finally, Southwest is giving us credit for being creative.
New Credit Card Offers & Annual Fees
All three personal Southwest Airlines credit cards now come with higher annual fees but also some major new perks — plus a limited-time 100,000-point welcome bonus. Here’s the current breakdown:
| Card | Annual Fee | Bonus Offer (Spend Req.) | Key Benefits |
|---|
| Plus | $99 | 100K points after $4K in 5 months | Bag fee perk, 2x points at gas/grocers, promo code, 3K anniversary pts, Group 5 boarding |
| Premier | $149 | 100K bonus after $4K in 5 months | 3K points gas/grocers, 3x Southwest purchases, 15% promo code, 6K anniversary pts, TQS boost |
| Priority | $229 | 100K bonus after $4K in 5 months | 4x Southwest purchases, $75 travel credit, 7.5K anniversary pts, unlimited extra-leg upgrades |
Southwest Tweaked Their Business Cards Too — Here’s What’s New
Premier Business – $149 annual fee
Get 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000. Simple, solid, and a nice little boost if you’re not going for all the bells and whistles.
Performance Business – $299 annual fee
Big spender? You’ll get 80,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend — plus perks like extra-legroom access (hello, legroom for days) and 2x points on gas, hotels, and transit. Basically built for road warriors and PTA presidents with side hustles.
Pros & Cons of Each Southwest Consumer Card
Southwest Plus ($99)
- Pros: This card has the lowest fee of the personal cards, the bag fee is covered for up to 8 travelers, it’s a decent bonus and the card offers basic perks.
- Cons: You only get 3K anniversary points, promo code is just 10%, and it offers fewer perks than Premier/Priority.
Southwest Premier ($149)
- Pros: This card offers better earning on everyday groceries/restaurants, you get 6K anniversary points, a stronger promo (15%), and faster tier points.
- Cons: The higher fee may outweigh the perks for infrequent travelers.
Southwest Priority ($229)
- Pros: This card offers top-tier earning (4x on Southwest), you get a $75 annual credit, unlimited upgrades to extra legroom, and the strongest benefits.
- Cons: It’s super pricey!! Ultimately this card is only worth it if you fly Southwest regularly and rely on day-of-travel perks.
So… Are These Cards Still Worth It?
Obviously this answer will differ depending on your circumstances. Here’s what you should consider:
The Companion Pass just got a little easier to earn: Each Southwest card now gives you 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points every year — a solid head start if that pass is on your wish list.
Heads up: With Southwest now charging for checked bags and boarding perks, those credit card benefits like bag waivers and early boarding suddenly matter a lot more.
Let’s talk value: Card fees went up by 40–54%, so make sure those added perks (like seat upgrades or travel credits) are actually worth the extra cost.
Timing matters: These 100K point bonus offers expire September 17, 2025 — so if you’re thinking about jumping in, don’t wait too long.
Recommendations (for Family Travelers)
Fly Southwest a lot? Go for the Priority card. The upgrades, credits, and early boarding perks more than make up for the higher annual fee — especially if you’re on those planes often.
Travel a few times a year? The Premier hits a nice middle ground with solid earning potential and a not-too-scary fee.
Just want the basics? The Plus is perfect if you’re more of a “once in a while” flyer. You’ll get your bag fee waived, a small bonus, and call it a day.
Own a small business? The Performance Business card is stacked with extras — especially if you’re booking flights often and want to rack up points faster.
Don’t think you qualify for a business card? Think again! Check out this post to see why it matters and how you might qualify.
Final Thoughts
Southwest is shaking things up in a big way. Between saying goodbye to two free bags, testing out assigned seating, and giving their credit cards a glow-up (yes, with higher fees but juicier perks), these updates are definitely reshaping the value Southwest has long been known for.
With the new 100K sign-up bonus and enhanced card perks, now is either a great time to apply — or a smart moment to pause and evaluate your personal needs and goals.
If you’re trying to achieve that coveted Southwest Companion Pass, this SUB can definitely help you get there… but the timing is tricky. Check out this post for more information on other ways to expedite your way to the Southwest Companion Pass.
Interested in learning how we travel the world for nearly free? I got you. Check this out.
Happy Travels~
