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Forget flying. The best way to rack up frequent flier miles quickly is to get an airline credit card. 

And with Southwest Airlines’ newest welcome bonus—one that applies to all three of the airline’s co-branded consumer credit cards—you’ll get even more than a cache of bonus points. All three credit cards are currently including Southwest’s famous Companion Pass in their welcome offers.

The coveted Companion Pass is essentially a year-long buddy pass that allows you to buy one flight and get another ticket free (plus taxes).

New cardmembers can earn the Companion Pass (which would be valid through February 2022) plus 30,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. The offer applies to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.

As most people plan trips closer to home, this offer is also a great opportunity to start building loyalty with the ultra-flexible domestic airline. Southwest has never charged fees to change or cancel flights, and Rapid Rewards points never expire. Every flier is allotted two free checked bags as well. The budget airline flies throughout the U.S. and is adding new vacation destinations by the month, like southern Florida or Hilton Head/Savannah, as part of its pandemic strategy. Top destinations in Hawaii, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean are also included in its route map.

Lastly, Southwest has recently been launching a host of cheap fare sales, with fares between Long Beach, California, and Honolulu as low as 17,000 points one-way; plus fares between Miami and Denver as low as 6,000 points one-way.

Here are the basics on Southwest’s three consumer credit cards:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Welcome offer: 

Earn the Companion Pass plus 30,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. (The Companion Pass will be valid through February 2022.)

Additional perks: 

Cardholders receive 3,000 bonus points after their account anniversary each year. The card earns two points for every dollar spent on purchases with Southwest. All other purchases garner one point per dollar. 

Annual fee: $69

Learn more about applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card here.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

Welcome offer:

Earn the Companion Pass plus 30,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. (The Companion Pass will be valid through February 2022.)

Additional perks: 

Cardholders receive 6,000 bonus points after their account anniversary each year. The card earns two points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases. All other purchases earn one point per dollar. 

Annual fee: $99

Learn more about applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card here.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Welcome offer:

Earn the Companion Pass plus 30,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. (The Companion Pass will be valid through February 2022.)

Additional perks:

As Southwest’s more premium card, Priority cardholders get some nice travel perks, like an annual $75 travel credit with the airline and four upgraded boardings per year (when available). They also receive 20 percent back on in-flight cocktail purchases and Wi-Fi purchases. On their account anniversary each year, they’re awarded 7,500 Rapid Rewards points. 

The Priority has the same earning structure as the other cards: Two points per dollar spent on purchases with Southwest; all other purchases earn one point per dollar.

Annual fee: $149

Learn more about applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card here.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

This story was last published in December 2020. It has since been updated with new information.

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