Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card: 80K Offer & Review

UPDATE — October 22, 2026: A direct Chase application link has surfaced for the 80,000-point Southwest Plus offer, potentially making this promotion available to applicants who never received the original targeted email.

The Brief

Southwest Airlines and Chase are offering an impressive 80,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending just $1,000 in the first three months on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.

Originally distributed through targeted emails, the offer now has a direct Chase application link.

Credit goes to Doctor of Credit, which reported the link on October 22, 2026, with a hat tip to Miles Earn and Burn.

That's excellent news for Southwest travelers who weren't originally targeted.

And with major changes coming to Southwest's Companion Pass program in 2027, the timing makes this promotion particularly interesting.

The Offer: 80,000 Points for $1,000 in Spending

Apply for the 80K Offer

Apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 80K Offer — Chase Application

This link goes directly to Chase's application system.

Although the promotion originated as a targeted email offer, Doctor of Credit reports that the newly discovered application link appears usable more broadly.

Important: We haven't independently confirmed that every applicant can receive this bonus. Before submitting an application, verify that Chase displays the full 80,000-point offer and $1,000 spending requirement.

Chase's standard Southwest Plus landing page continues to advertise only 50,000 points.

Who Is Eligible?

Chase's standard Southwest personal credit card eligibility restrictions generally require applicants to:

• Not currently hold a Southwest Rapid Rewards personal credit card.
• Not have received a qualifying Southwest personal card welcome bonus within the previous 24 months.
• Satisfy Chase's creditworthiness and application requirements, including its commonly applied 5/24 policy.

Business card eligibility is evaluated separately, so holding an eligible Southwest business card does not automatically disqualify someone from the personal card bonus.

The Benefits: Is the Southwest Plus Card Worth Keeping?

The $99 annual fee makes this Southwest's least expensive personal credit card.

Its everyday earning rates are relatively modest, but the travel benefits can be useful.

Key Card Benefits

• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• 10% annual Southwest flight discount code, excluding Basic fares.
• First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
• Complimentary Standard seat selection within 48 hours before departure, subject to availability.
• Group 5 boarding or better for eligible cardholders and accompanying passengers.
• 2X points on Southwest Airlines purchases.
• 2X points at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined annual purchases.
• 25% back on inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

The anniversary points, checked baggage and annual flight discount can help offset the card's annual fee.

However, the welcome bonus is the real attraction.

A Final Companion Pass Opportunity

Southwest is changing how travelers qualify for Companion Pass beginning January 1, 2027.

Under the new program, ordinary credit card welcome bonuses will no longer count toward Companion Pass qualification.

Fortunately, Southwest has announced a limited grandfathering exception.

Applicants approved for eligible Southwest credit cards by December 2, 2026, can still have their welcome bonuses count toward the existing Companion Pass qualification rules, even if they complete their required spending in early 2027.

Consider combining the two current 80K offers:

That's more than the 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points required under the 2026 rules, assuming eligibility and Southwest's transition requirements are satisfied.

Both bonuses would need to be earned into the same individual's Rapid Rewards account.

But there's an important limitation.

The resulting Companion Pass expires December 31, 2027 — not December 31, 2028.

We've explained the qualification changes and grandfathering rules in detail here:

Southwest Companion Pass 2027: The Credit Card Shortcut Is Ending

And if you're interested in pairing this offer with the business card, see our separate review:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: 80K Offer Review

Remember that Southwest's grandfathering exception specifically covers eligible welcome bonuses. Other qualifying activity generally must satisfy the existing 2026 deadlines.

The Summary: Should You Apply?

For eligible Southwest travelers, this is an excellent welcome offer.

Earning 80,000 points after just $1,000 in spending provides a substantial amount of potential domestic travel without diverting thousands of dollars from other credit card opportunities.

The $99 annual fee is relatively modest, and the ongoing card benefits may justify keeping it beyond the first year.

For travelers based near major Southwest airports, including Las Vegas, the combination of a generous welcome bonus, free checked baggage and an annual flight discount can be particularly appealing.

The Companion Pass opportunity adds another potential benefit, although the new 2027 rules considerably reduce the value of the traditional two-year strategy.

Our Take

We like this offer, particularly because the spending requirement is so low.

The appearance of a direct Chase application link is a welcome development for people who weren't originally targeted.

We would still approach the Companion Pass strategy conservatively. The December 2 approval deadline leaves little room for delays, and a pass earned through grandfathered bonuses will expire at the end of 2027.

Even without Companion Pass, 80,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points can represent significant travel value.

Check the Southwest Plus 80K Offer at Chase

Source credit: Special thanks to Doctor of Credit for reporting the direct application link, with credit to Miles Earn and Burn for discovering it. Additional information from Upgraded Points, Chase, and Southwest's official Companion Pass transition FAQ.

Last verified: October 22, 2026. Credit card offers, availability and eligibility requirements can change without notice. Always review the terms presented by Chase before applying.