Southwest Debit Card Is Now Live: Key Details and Benefits

Southwest Airlines has officially rolled out its own debit card — the Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Debit Card — giving travelers a new way to earn points without swiping a credit card. Travel rewards credit cards are everywhere, but earning points on everyday debit purchases is still pretty rare, so this is a welcome option for Southwest fans who prefer to avoid credit.

With this new card, you can rack up Rapid Rewards points just by using your debit card for daily spending.

Let’s walk through what it offers and how it works.

Southwest Debit Card: Key Details

Southwest Airlines loyalists are familiar with the airline’s co-branded credit cards that help them earn rewards and even the coveted Companion Pass, but now Southwest is stepping into the debit card space.

Now that the Southwest Debit card is officially live at SouthwestDebit.com, let’s break down what it offers and how you can start earning points right away.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• 2,500-point welcome bonus offer: Make 2 recurring direct deposits and spend $100 in the first 90 days, and you’ll pick up 2,500 Rapid Rewards points to get things started.
• Earn points on everyday spending: You’ll earn 1 point per $2 spent on everyday purchases, plus 1 point per $1 on Southwest purchases, dining, and recurring subscriptions (think streaming, phone, internet, and utilities).
• Progress toward Companion Pass: All points you earn with this debit card count toward the Southwest Companion Pass.
• Annual extras: Up to 7,500 anniversary points, a 20% off promo code, and a $35 Southwest credit every year you keep the card.
• Easy to qualify: There’s no credit check required to open the account, and you’ll avoid ATM fees at Cirrus network ATMs. Plus, the monthly account fee ($6.99) is waived if you maintain a minimum average monthly balance of $2,500.

The new card is issued by Sunrise Banks and operates on the Visa debit network, with funds FDIC-insured up to $250,000. Earning the annual 7,500-point bonus requires making $15,000 or more in purchases with your card. Alternatively, you’ll get 2,500 bonus points after $5,000-$9,999.99 in purchases or 5,000 points after spending $10,000-$14,999.99.

As expected, the card comes with a small welcome bonus offer and the ability to avoid the monthly fee, which could make it appealing for travelers who prefer to avoid credit cards and stick to debit. That said, the earning rate on everyday purchases at 1 point per $2 spent is underwhelming. Plus, we don’t see any indication that the card earns Tier Qualifying Points toward Southwest elite status.

If your goal is to earn Southwest points efficiently, you’ll likely be better off with a Southwest co-branded credit card or some of the best travel credit cards that earn transferable points, which generally offer much stronger earning potential.

Final Thoughts

Now that the Southwest Debit card is officially here, travelers finally have a way to earn Rapid Rewards points without relying on a credit card. It’s a smart move for Southwest fans who prefer to spend directly from their bank account — especially since there’s no annual and a method for getting the monthly fee waived.

Still, the earning rates leave a lot to be desired. If you’re serious about maximizing your points, a Southwest co-branded credit card or a travel rewards card with transferable points will offer far better long-term value. But for debit users who simply want to earn something extra on everyday spending, this new card is a nice addition to the Rapid Rewards lineup.