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Southwest Just Dropped a Game-Changing Debit Card (Here's What's Inside)
July 1, 2025
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Southwest Airlines has expanded its rewards ecosystem with the launch of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Debit Card, partnering with Sunrise Banks N.A. to bring airline rewards to everyday spending. Here's everything we know about this new financial product and what it could mean for rewards enthusiasts.
Southwest Debit Card: Key Details
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Southwest has quietly launched the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Debit Card. The card is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., the same financial institution behind the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card.
Card Features
Earning Structure:
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on qualifying dining and subscription purchases like cable, internet, phone, streaming services, utilities, and insurance premiums.
- Earn 1 point per $2 spent on everyday purchases.
Benefits:
- Earn a 2,500-point welcome bonus with two recurring deposits and spend $100 in the first 90 days
- Yearly Companion Pass' point bonus: you'll receive a bonus of 7,500 Companion Pass qualifying points in your Rapid Rewards
- Annual $35 credit: The statement credit will be applied to your account when your card is used for Southwest Airlines flight purchases (excludes Upgraded Boarding and inflight purchases) up to a maximum of $35 per calendar year
- Yearly 20% promotion code: Receive one 20% off promotion code every January
- $6.99 monthly fee waived if you maintain a minimum average monthly balance of $2,500
- No credit check required: Earn points and access select benefits without requiring a credit check or impacting your credit report
How Southwest's Card Compares to Existing Rewards Debit Options
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card from Sunrise Banks offers a glimpse into what Southwest might provide:
Wyndham Rewards Debit Card Features:
- Welcome offer: 2,500 points
- Earning rates: 1x points per $1 on hotels/gas/groceries, 1x per $2 on everything else
- Monthly fee: $6 (waived with $2,500 balance)
- Elite status: Complimentary Wyndham Rewards Gold
- Anniversary bonuses: 2,500-7,500 points based on annual spending
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The information for the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card has been collected independently by Kudos. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Debit Card vs. Southwest Credit Cards
Before considering Southwest's debit card, it's important to understand how it fits alongside the airline's existing credit card portfolio. Southwest currently offers several credit cards through Chase, each targeting different customer segments.
Current Southwest Credit Card Lineup:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $69
- Welcome offer: Typically 40,000-50,000 points
- Earning rates: 2x points on Southwest purchases, 1x on everything else
- Key benefits: 3,000 anniversary points, 25% back on in-flight purchases, no foreign transaction fees
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2159", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Additional Travel Benefits" } ]]
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $99
- Welcome offer: Usually 60,000-65,000 points
- Earning rates: 2x on Southwest and hotel partners, 1x elsewhere
- Key benefits: 6,000 anniversary points, 25% back on in-flight purchases, 2 EarlyBird Check-ins per year
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2161", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Fantastic Travel Choice" } ]]
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $149
- Welcome offer: Often 65,000-75,000 points
- Earning rates: 2x on Southwest purchases, 1x on everything else
- Key benefits: 7,500 anniversary points, $75 Southwest annual credit, 4 upgraded boardings per year
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2162", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Southwest Loyalists", "headerHint" : "Generous Benefits and Perks" } ]]
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $199
- Welcome offer: Typically 80,000-100,000 points
- Earning rates: 2x on Southwest and business categories, 1x elsewhere
- Key benefits: 9,000 anniversary points, $200 Southwest annual credit, employee cards
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2163", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Top Travel Pick" } ]]
Bottom Line
Southwest's new debit card is a niche product designed for people who can't qualify for credit cards, —whether they're rebuilding credit or young travelers just starting out. It could also work as a secondary card for occasional debit purchases where you'd at least earn some points. The earning rates are objectively weak: you'll get 1 point per $2 on everyday purchases (essentially 0.65-0.75% back) and 1 point per $1 on Southwest flights, dining, and subscriptions. The perks are modest at best. There is no annual fee, but you need to maintain a $2,500 minimum balance in a Sunrise Banks checking account. You'll also get a 20% annual promo code, a $35 annual Southwest credit, and a 7,500 point Companion Pass boost. t's a stopgap solution for people who can't get approved for credit, not a strategic choice for maximizing rewards.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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