Core Insights - The recent revamp of Southwest credit cards includes higher annual fees but still offers valuable benefits for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to Southwest Airlines [1] Summary by Category Annual Fees and Welcome Offers - The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has an annual fee of $99 and offers 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months [3] - The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has a higher annual fee of $229, with the same welcome offer of 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months [6] Rewards Rates - The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers 2x points on Southwest purchases and various other categories, with 1x on all other purchases [4] - The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card provides 3x points on Southwest purchases and 2x points on select categories, with 1x on all other purchases [9][15] Key Benefits - All Southwest credit cards provide a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers, potentially saving $35 per one-way flight [16][38] - Cardholders receive anniversary points ranging from 3,000 to 7,500, which can help offset the annual fee [18] - Each card offers 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually, which is significant for those aiming to earn a Companion Pass [19][20] Additional Features - No foreign transaction fees are charged on Southwest consumer cards, saving about 3% on foreign purchases [19] - The cards also provide A-List tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent, which can help achieve A-List status for additional travel benefits [21][23] Target Audience - The Southwest credit cards are particularly beneficial for frequent Southwest travelers, especially those living near Southwest hubs [24][30] - Even infrequent travelers may find value in the cards if they can utilize the benefits, such as free checked bags, to offset the annual fees [25][26]