Southwest Airlines just launched a Rapid Rewards debit card, and the rewards are pretty generous — for a debit card. It comes with a small welcome bonus, points on everyday spending and other minor amenities. Most debit cards do not offer such benefits.
Southwest Fast Rewards Debit Card Details
Launching on October 28, 2025, the Rapid Rewards Debit Card offers:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 2500 Fast rewards in the Southwest Points with two recurring deposits and $100 spend in the first 90 days.
Rewards on expenses: Earn 1 point per $1 on Southwest purchases, dining, shopping and utilities and 1 point per $2 on other purchases.
Southwest Amenities: Earn up to 7,500 Anniversary Points, a redemption code for 20% off a redemption fare and an annual $35 Southwest travel credit.
Companion Pass Bonus: Earn up to 7,500 annual bonus points that go towards an income Southwest companion pass. A companion pass allows you to fly with a companion on any ticket for only the value of taxes and fees that you qualify for. And the following calendar year.
The card and account—which the airline says is aimed at “younger and cash-conscious travelers”—is issued by Sunrise Banks, which serves customers “in Minnesota, South Dakota and beyond.” This is one FDIC Member 250,000 with insured funds up to Rs. Southwest says there are no credit checks and no ATM fees involved MasterCard’s Ceres Network.
But there are some catches.
The monthly fee is $6.99. It’s waived if you carry a balance of more than $2,500 — but if you plan to keep less, the fees add up to about $84 per year.
You’ll also need to hit certain spending requirements to get “up to” 7,500 Anniversary Points. If you spend less than $5,000 per year on the card, you won’t get any bonus points. Here are the spending requirements for each bonus level.
Annual Qualifying Purchases | Annual bonus points earned |
|---|---|
Although the bank has a few locations in Minnesota and South Dakota, its services are primarily offered online. This may not be a good option if you need to deposit cash, receive a cashier’s check, or use it for personal services.
Is it a good deal?
For most people, not really. If you already have a debit card and use a rewards card for most purchases, the extra points won’t be worth the hassle of opening a new bank account. And if you only use a debit card for purchases, a rewards credit card can offer even more rewards and benefits.
You will do better too One of the best Southwest Airlines credit cardsall of which cost a dollar-for-dollar rate — double what the Southwest debit card earns. Southwest-branded credit cards also offer big sign-up bonuses that can help you earn a Companion Pass much faster.
When it makes sense
While Rapid Rewards ® Debit Card rewards are more modest Travel credit card might offer, it might still make sense if you want another way to earn Southwest points. Maybe you want to earn points on purchases you can’t charge to a credit card. Or maybe you want to earn points on transactions that would otherwise incur credit card surcharges.
Before getting the card, just make sure you can maintain a bank balance of more than $2500 with Sunrise Banks to get the monthly fees waived. With limited rewards, this monthly fee may exceed the $6.99 fee you earn in points in a given month. And if you plan on ATM withdrawals, make sure you have a nearby in-network to avoid withdrawal fees.
