By
Chase leaks reveal major changes to Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, including new annual fees, 100,000-point bonuses, and first free checked bag. Learn what’s coming in 2025.
Leaked: New Chase Southwest Credit Card Changes Coming Soon – 100K Bonus, Annual Fees & More
Published: July 25, 2025 |
Big news for Southwest Airlines flyers and Chase cardholders—major updates to the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards have leaked ahead of their official launch. The leaks, reportedly found via a Chase referral page link shared on Reddit, reveal new annual fees, benefits, multipliers, and welcome bonuses coming to all tiers of Southwest’s personal and business credit cards.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming updates.
🔥 Limited-Time 100,000-Point Welcome Offer
All personal cards will feature a limited-time 100,000 Rapid Rewards points bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 5 months. For travelers aiming for the coveted Companion Pass, this welcome bonus gets you just 35,000 points away.
🧳 First Checked Bag Free – For Up to 8 Companions
A standout feature across all cards: first checked bag free for up to 8 people on the same reservation. With Southwest now moving toward charging for checked bags, this perk alone could save a family of four up to $280 per round trip.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Personal Cards – What’s New
1. Rapid Rewards Plus Card ($99 Annual Fee)
- 100,000-point bonus
- First checked bag free (8 companions)
- 10% flight discount (annual promo code)
- Boarding Group 5 access
- Complimentary standard seat selection (within 48 hours)
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year
- 2x points on gas and groceries (up to $5,000/year)
- 3,000 anniversary points
- Retiring after Dec 31, 2025: 2x points on hotels, car rentals, local transit, and streaming
2. Rapid Rewards Premier Card ($149 Annual Fee)
- Preferred seat selection within 48 hours
- 15% flight discount (promo code)
- A-List tier boost: 1,500 tier points per $5,000 in spend
- 6,000 anniversary points
- 2x points on grocery stores and restaurants (up to $8,000/year)
3. Rapid Rewards Priority Card ($229 Annual Fee)
- Preferred seat selection at booking
- Extra legroom seat upgrades
- 4x points on Southwest flights
- 2x on gas and restaurants
- 7,500 anniversary points
- 2,500 tier points per $5,000 spend
- 25% inflight savings
Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Cards
1. Rapid Rewards Premier Business ($149 Annual Fee)
- 60,000-point bonus after $3,000 spend
- First checked bag free
- 10,000 Companion Pass points annually
- 6,000 anniversary points
- 2x on gas and restaurants (up to $8,000/year)
- No TSA PreCheck credit
- Retiring: 2x on hotels, car rentals, commuting, early bird check-ins
Rapid Rewards Performance Business ($299 Annual Fee)
- 80,000-point bonus after $5,000 spend
- Complimentary preferred seating and extra legroom upgrades
- $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- 9,000 anniversary points
- 4x points on Southwest flights
- 2x points on hotels booked directly, restaurants, gas
- 365 Wi-Fi credits per year (retiring after 2025)
- 4 upgraded boardings per year (2025 only)
Key Categories Being Retired
After December 31, 2025, Chase is removing several bonus categories from most Southwest cards, including:
- 2x on Rapid Rewards hotels and car rentals
- 2x on local transit, commuting, and ride share
- 2x on internet, cable, phone, and streaming
Only the Performance Business card retains local transit and commuting at 2x going into 2026.
Final Thoughts
While the new Chase Southwest card lineup introduces attractive perks like bigger bonuses and checked bag savings, the loss of everyday bonus categories may sting for some. Still, if you’re a frequent Southwest flyer—especially with family—these updates may provide substantial value that outweighs the annual fee.
The leaked details are not yet live but are expected to go into effect soon. Be on the lookout for official announcements from Chase and Southwest.
💬 What do you think about these upcoming changes? Will you upgrade, downgrade, or apply? Share your thoughts in the comments!
