{"id":251091,"date":"2026-07-09T17:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T17:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/09\/southwest-rapid-rewards-debit-card-benefits-and-rewards-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T17:00:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T17:00:07","slug":"southwest-rapid-rewards-debit-card-benefits-and-rewards-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/09\/southwest-rapid-rewards-debit-card-benefits-and-rewards-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card: Benefits and rewards &#8211; The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Travelers looking to earn <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/loyalty-programs\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest Rapid Rewards points<\/a><\/span> without opening a credit card now have a new option.<\/p>\n<p>After first <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/news\/southwest-airlines-debit-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">announcing plans for a cobranded debit card last year<\/a><\/span>, Southwest Airlines has officially opened applications for its new Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Debit Card. The card earns Rapid Rewards points on everyday purchases and includes several Southwest-specific perks, all without requiring a credit check.<\/p>\n<p>The card is issued by Sunrise Banks and requires customers to open a Southwest Rapid Rewards checking account.<\/p>\n<p><em>The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Debit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"jsx-2362441780\">What the Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card offers<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-cards-current-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest&#8217;s cobranded credit cards<\/a><\/span>, the Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card is designed for customers who prefer debit cards or aren&#8217;t eligible for a credit card.<\/p>\n<p>New cardholders can earn a 2,500-point welcome bonus after setting up two recurring direct deposits and spending $100 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.<\/p>\n<p>The card earns:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1 point per dollar spent on eligible Southwest Airlines purchases<\/li>\n<li>1 point per dollar spent on qualifying dining and subscription purchases, including cable, streaming services, internet, phone, utilities and insurance premiums<\/li>\n<li>1 point per $2 spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"jsx-3874346954 tpg-figure\">\n<div style=\"padding-top:0\" class=\"jsx-2453190082 full-width-auto-height-image\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"jsx-3874346954 figcaption\">GABRIELLE BERNARDINI\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cardholders can also earn an annual bonus based on eligible purchases made during their cardmember year:<\/p>\n<div class=\"EmailSignUp_container__YVxAW tw-border tw-border-gray-2\"><picture class=\"tw-flex tw-items-center tw-justify-center tw-opacity-0\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"\/images\/EmailSignUp\/daily-mob.svg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/images\/EmailSignUp\/daily-dt.svg\"\/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"EmailSignUp_form__xvcP4\">\n<p>Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter<\/p>\n<p>Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG\u2019s experts<\/p>\n<form class=\"jsx-606422965 newsletter-form\">\n<div class=\"jsx-606422965 EmailCapture_confirmation__AJ4nI EmailCapture_noCheckbox__2BHzb   &#10;          \">\n<p class=\"tw-text-xs-regular !tw-text-gray-5 hover:!tw-text-gray-5 tw-max-w-lg\">By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our<!-- --> <a class=\"!tw-text-gray-5 hover:!tw-text-gray-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/terms-of-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms of Use<\/a> <!-- -->and acknowledge the data practices in our<!-- --> <a class=\"!tw-text-gray-5 hover:!tw-text-gray-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. You may unsubscribe at any time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Spend $5,000 to $9,999.99: Earn 2,500 bonus points<\/li>\n<li>Spend $10,000 to $14,999.99: Earn 5,000 bonus points<\/li>\n<li>Spend $15,000 or more: Earn 7,500 bonus points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additional benefits include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>7,500 <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/loyalty-programs\/how-to-use-southwest-companion-pass\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companion Pass<\/a><\/span> qualifying points each calendar year<\/li>\n<li>All points earned with the debit card count toward earning a Companion Pass, including the welcome bonus and annual spend bonuses<\/li>\n<li>A 20% Southwest flight promotion code each January<\/li>\n<li>An annual $35 statement credit on eligible Southwest purchases<\/li>\n<li>No ATM surcharges at Cirrus network ATMs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card charges a $6.99 monthly fee, though it is waived for customers who maintain an average monthly checking account balance of at least $2,500.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/why-credit-card-smarter-choice-than-debit-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit vs. debit cards: Which is the smarter choice?<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"jsx-2362441780\">Who should consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card?<\/h2>\n<p>For most Southwest loyalists, one of the <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/southwest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">airline&#8217;s cobranded credit cards<\/a><\/span> will likely provide more value. Those cards offer additional travel perks \u2014 including <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/credit-cards-with-free-checked-baggage\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">free checked bags<\/a><\/span> and preferred seating \u2014 along with higher rewards potential on eligible purchases.<\/p>\n<p>However, the debit card fills a niche that most airline loyalty programs don&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-3874346954 tpg-figure\">\n<div style=\"padding-top:0\" class=\"jsx-2453190082 full-width-auto-height-image\"><img alt=\"Woman dining outdoors\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;height:auto;width:100%\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 756px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=640 640w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=750 750w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=828 828w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=1080 1080w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=1920 1920w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=2048 2048w, https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=3840 3840w\" src=\"https:\/\/runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net\/us\/originals\/2024\/08\/Woman-holding-credit-card-at-outdoor-cafe-while-using-smart-phone_milorad-kravic.jpg?width=3840\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"jsx-3874346954 figcaption\">MILORAD KRAVIC\/GETTY IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Because no <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/biggest-factors-that-impact-your-credit-score\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">credit check is<\/a><\/span> required, it could appeal to travelers who aren&#8217;t eligible for a credit card or who simply prefer using a debit card for everyday purchases. It also offers a way to earn Rapid Rewards points and Companion Pass-qualifying points through debit card spending, which is relatively uncommon among other cards on the market.<\/p>\n<p>The annual 7,500 Companion Pass qualifying points may also appeal to Southwest flyers working toward Companion Pass status, while the annual 20% discount code and $35 Southwest statement credit add some ongoing value for cardholders who regularly fly the airline.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/ultimate-guide-southwest-credit-card-eligibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The ultimate guide to Southwest credit card eligibility<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"jsx-2362441780\">Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>Southwest&#8217;s new Rapid Rewards debit card won&#8217;t replace a <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel rewards credit card<\/a><\/span> for most frequent travelers, but that&#8217;s not really its purpose.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, it offers an alternative way to earn Rapid Rewards points on everyday spending without a credit check, while providing Southwest-specific perks that could be worthwhile for travelers who primarily use debit cards or want another path toward earning a Companion Pass.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <span><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-priority-value\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card can save you money on every trip<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thepointsguy.com\/news\/southwest-airlines-launches-rapid-rewards-debit-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Travelers looking to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points without opening a credit card now have a new option. After first announcing plans for a cobranded debit card last year, Southwest Airlines has officially opened applications for its new Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Debit Card. The card earns Rapid Rewards points on everyday purchases and includes several [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":251092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-251091","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251091\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}