WorthTheFeeWorth The Fee

Is the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus worth the $99 annual fee?

Only if the value you actually use clears $99. Chase advertises up to $160 across 16 benefits, but 4 require enrollment and 16 expire on a deadline. Here is the math, from the issuer’s own terms.

The short answer

Annual fee
$99
Verified Sep 19, 2026 from creditcards.chase.com
Charged whether you use anything or not.
Break-even
$99
Value you must actually use to come out even.
Auto-counted value
$0
Nothing here counts on its own — every dollar takes action. Use it all and it gives back $160 a year.

What the $160 is actually made of

Auto-counted
$0
Posts automatically. Counted in full.
Capturable
$160
Real credits you must use before they expire.
Earned, not given
$0
Requires spend or a condition. Never counted for you.

Advertised totals assume perfect usage. That is why we separate value that arrives on its own from value you have to chase, and never count value you have to earn.

Illustrative fee example

Auto-counted value$0
Capturable value used (half of $160)$80
Earned, not given$0
Annual fee− $99
Net value−$19 · CANCEL

Example only — your result depends on what you actually use. Assumes every auto-counted credit posts, half of the capturable credit value is actually used, and no conditional value is counted.

Every tracked benefit, and what it takes to get it

Instacart Credit
Resets monthlyEnrollment requiredOnly in months with an active Instacart+ membership; the complimentary membership lasts three months, after which Instacart+ must be kept active.
$120
DoorDash Non-Restaurant Discount
Resets quarterlyEnrollment requiredDiscount at checkout on one non-restaurant DoorDash order per quarter; requires an active DashPass membership.
$40
3,000 Anniversary Points
Resets once a year
$0
Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost
Resets once a year10,000 points toward Companion Pass qualification each calendar year.
$0
10% Promotion Code
Resets once a yearOne 10% promo code per anniversary year; the page headline says it excludes Basic fares.
$0
First Checked Bag Free
Resets once a yearPrimary cardmember and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.
$0
Standard Seat Selection (48 hours before departure)
Resets once a yearWhen available, within 48 hours before departure.
$0
Group 5 Boarding
Resets once a year
$0
25% Back on Inflight Purchases
Resets once a year
$0
Instacart+ Membership
Resets once a yearEnrollment requiredThree months only; must be activated between 5/1/2025 and 12/31/2027.
$0
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Resets once a year
$0
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Resets once a yearUp to $3,000 per covered traveler.
$0
Baggage Delay Insurance
Resets once a yearUp to $100 a day for up to 3 days when bags are delayed over 6 hours.
$0
Purchase Protection
Resets once a year120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per item.
$0
DashPass Membership
Resets once a yearEnrollment required12 months only; must be activated between 02/01/2025 and 12/31/2027.
$0
Extended Warranty
Resets once a year
$0

Who this card is not for

  • Anyone who would use less than $99 of value a year — at that point the fee is a straight loss, no matter how good the card looks on paper.
  • People who will not enroll. 4 of the 16 benefits pay nothing until you opt in.
  • People who dislike deadlines. 16 benefits expire on a schedule and do not roll over.

Official sources

Every fee, credit and restriction on this page is taken from Chase’s own published pages — never from a blog, forum or affiliate roundup. WorthTheFee is not the issuer and is never paid to change a verdict.

Verified against official issuer sources on September 19, 2026. Issuers change terms without notice. Confirm on the issuer page before applying.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus FAQ

What is the annual fee on the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?

Chase lists the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus annual fee at $99. If you hold an older version of the card at a different fee, you can enter your actual fee in the WTF Check so the math reflects what you really pay.

What is the break-even point on the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?

You break even once the value you actually use reaches $99. WorthTheFee tracks 16 benefits worth up to $160 in listed value — that is the maximum, not a guarantee. Unused credits do not count toward break-even.

Do any Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits count automatically?

No. Every tracked benefit on this card requires you to use it or meet a condition, so WorthTheFee starts your net value at $-99 and only adds value as you confirm usage.

Which Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits require enrollment?

4 of the 16 tracked benefits require you to enroll before they pay out. An unenrolled credit is worth nothing regardless of what the issuer advertises, so WorthTheFee flags them separately.

How often do the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credits reset?

Credits reset on different clocks: 1 resets monthly, 1 resets quarterly, 14 reset once a year. Unused credits do not roll over — when a period ends, that value is gone.

Do unused Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credits roll over?

No. Statement credits expire at the end of their period. That is why WorthTheFee counts only the value you confirm you will use, rather than the issuer's advertised total.

Where did WorthTheFee get these Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefit values?

From Chase's own published card and terms pages, linked in the Official sources section on this page. WorthTheFee is not the issuer and does not receive payment to change a verdict.

When were the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus terms last checked?

WorthTheFee last reviewed this card against Chase's official sources on September 19, 2026. Issuers change terms without notice — always confirm on the issuer page before applying.

Run the WTF Check on the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Mark the credits you would actually use and get your own verdict — Worth It, Watch It, or Cancel. No bank login. No card number.

Run the WTF Check

Card facts verified September 19, 2026.