Missed out on Southwest’s biggest-ever personal card bonuses? As of July 2, 2026 at 7am EST, the increased welcome offers of 80,000–90,000 Rapid Rewards points on all three Southwest consumer credit cards have officially expired. Here’s what was on the table, who benefited most, and what to expect going forward.
Our Take
Good news for new Southwest flyers — but only if you acted fast. These were some of the highest public offers we’ve seen on Southwest’s personal cards, making them a huge win for anyone chasing a Companion Pass or a stash of Rapid Rewards. If you missed the deadline, don’t fret — but it may be a while before we see bonuses this high again.
What Changed
- All three Southwest consumer cards (Priority, Premier, Plus) offered 80,000–90,000 Rapid Rewards points after $1,000–$3,000 spend in 3 months
- Offers ended July 2, 2026 at 7am EST (source)
- Previous standard offers were typically 50,000–75,000 points
Who Benefited Most
- Southwest loyalists seeking a Companion Pass: Earning 80,000–90,000 points from a single card put flyers within striking distance of the 135,000-point Companion Pass threshold (worth $1,687+ in free flights, by our 1.25¢/pt valuation).
- Families booking multiple Southwest flights: 90,000 points cover ~$1,125 in Wanna Get Away fares — enough for several roundtrips for a family of four.
- Deal chasers maximizing value: Combining a new card bonus with Southwest’s frequent fare sales could stretch the bonus to 10+ one-way flights.
- Travelers with flexible plans: Rapid Rewards points never expire and have no blackout dates, making this windfall easy to use over time.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Those who missed the deadline: The increased offers are now gone; new applicants will see lower standard bonuses.
- Travelers not flying Southwest: If you prefer legacy carriers or need international routes, these points offer less value.
- Frequent churners: Chase’s 5/24 rule means opening a Southwest card could block you from other Chase cards for a while.
What To Do Right Now
- Check your application status: If you applied before July 2, 2026, confirm your bonus eligibility and track your spend.
- Monitor for future promos: While this was a historic high, Southwest occasionally brings back big bonuses — subscribe to our alerts.
- Consider business Southwest cards: The business versions sometimes offer strong bonuses and can help toward Companion Pass.
- Explore other travel cards: If you missed out, cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture X offer flexible points.
