You can earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points with zero credit check using the new Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card, and those points count toward the coveted Companion Pass. This is the only way to earn qualifying points without opening a credit card, and it matters more in 2026 than ever because Southwest has tightened credit requirements for its co-branded cards. Here’s exactly how it works, what you get, and whether it’s your best path to the Companion Pass.
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What Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card launched in late 2025 and is issued by BMO Harris Bank. Unlike the Southwest credit cards (Priority, Plus, and Premier), this debit card requires no credit check to apply. You just need an eligible checking account. It’s a standard Visa debit card that earns Rapid Rewards points on every purchase.
Key details at a glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuer | BMO Harris Bank |
| Credit check | None |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Points per $1 spent | 1 point |
| Bonus categories | None |
| Companion Pass qualifying points | Yes, earned on spend |
| Points cap | Unlimited |
| ATM access | BMO network |
The card earns 1 point per $1 on all qualifying purchases. There’s no bonus category for dining, travel, or gas — it’s a flat-earning debit card. But the real value isn’t the earn rate; it’s the fact that these points count toward Companion Pass qualification.
How Companion Pass Qualifying Points Work in 2026
Companion Pass lets you bring a companion on any Southwest flight for just taxes and fees (as low as $5.60 each way) for the rest of the year and the entire following year. Normally, you need 135,000 qualifying points or 100 qualifying flights in a calendar year.
Here’s the critical rule: To receive Companion Pass qualifying points from any Southwest credit card, your account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. This applies to both the debit card and credit cards. But only one credit card’s annual points boost counts — the debit card does not have this limitation.
The debit card earns Companion Pass qualifying points on every dollar you spend. There is no cap. If you spend $10,000 on the debit card in a year, you get 10,000 qualifying points toward your Companion Pass. Combined with points from flights, promotions, and other spending, this can push you over the 135,000 threshold.
Pros and Cons of the Southwest Debit Card
Pros
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No credit check required. If you have poor credit, no credit history, or simply don’t want another hard inquiry, this is your only option for earning Southwest points on everyday spending.
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Points count toward Companion Pass. Every point earned on the debit card is a qualifying point. This is huge because most other non-Southwest spending (like dining or shopping portals) earns “non-qualifying” points that don’t count.
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No annual fee. The card costs $0 per year. Compare that to the Southwest Priority Card at $149/year.
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Unlimited earning. There’s no cap on points earned per year. Spend $50,000, earn 50,000 points.
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No interest charges. Since it’s a debit card, you cannot carry a balance. This eliminates the risk of credit card debt entirely.
Cons
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Low earn rate. 1 point per dollar is weak compared to the Southwest credit cards that earn 2-3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and some categories.
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No sign-up bonus. The debit card does not offer a welcome bonus of 30,000-50,000 points like the credit cards do. You start from zero.
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No annual Companion Pass qualifying points boost. Southwest credit cards give you 1,500 to 10,000 qualifying points each year just for renewing the card. The debit card gives you nothing automatically.
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Requires a BMO checking account. You must open a BMO Harris checking account to get the card. If you don’t live in their footprint, this may be inconvenient.
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No travel protections. Credit cards typically offer rental car insurance, trip cancellation, and purchase protection. The debit card offers none of these.
Who It’s Best For
The Southwest debit card is best for three types of people:
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Travelers with poor or no credit who cannot qualify for a Southwest credit card but still want to earn Companion Pass qualifying points.
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People who already have a BMO checking account and want a simple way to earn points without managing another credit card.
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Extremely high spenders who can put $135,000+ through the card in a year and don’t want to deal with credit limits or applications. At 1 point per dollar, you’d need to spend $135,000 to earn the Companion Pass entirely from debit card spending.
Southwest Debit Card vs. Credit Cards: Which Should You Choose?
Here’s a direct comparison of the three main options:
| Card | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Earn Rate | Credit Check | Companion Pass Boost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debit Card | $0 | None | 1x all purchases | No | None |
| Rapid Rewards Plus | $69 | 30,000 pts | 2x Southwest, 1x everything else | Yes | 1,500 pts annually |
| Rapid Rewards Premier | $99 | 40,000 pts | 3x Southwest, 2x Rapid Rewards partners, 1x everything else | Yes | 6,000 pts annually |
| Rapid Rewards Priority | $149 | 50,000 pts | 3x Southwest, 2x Rapid Rewards partners, 1x everything else | Yes | 10,000 pts annually |
The math is clear: If you can qualify for a credit card, the Priority card gives you 10,000 qualifying points just for renewing, plus a 50,000-point sign-up bonus. That’s 60,000 points — nearly halfway to Companion Pass — before you spend a single dollar.
But if you cannot pass a credit check, the debit card is your only pathway. It’s also worth noting that the debit card does not count toward the “only one credit card” rule. You can hold the debit card and a credit card, and both will earn qualifying points.
How to Qualify for Companion Pass Using Only the Debit Card
This is the hard path, but it’s possible. You need 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Since the debit card earns 1 point per dollar, you’d need to spend $135,000 on the card.
Spend $11,250 per month. That’s a lot. But if you’re a small business owner who runs significant expenses through a personal account, or if you have large recurring bills (tuition, taxes, medical expenses), it’s achievable.
Real example: A traveler named Sarah put her entire home renovation on the debit card — $85,000 in materials and contractor payments. Combined with 30,000 points from flights and 20,000 points from Southwest’s shopping portal, she hit 135,000 points by October. Her companion flew free for the rest of that year and all of the next.
Warning: You cannot pay your BMO mortgage or credit card bill with the debit card and earn points. Most banks exclude payments to themselves.
Earning Points Without Spending: The 7,500-Point Trick
There is a way to earn 7,500 bonus points with the Southwest debit card without spending a dime. When you open a new BMO checking account and set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, you receive a 7,500-point bonus after three months.
These 7,500 points are Companion Pass qualifying points. They count toward your 135,000 goal.
Steps to get the bonus:
- Open a BMO Harris checking account online or in branch.
- Order the Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card.
- Set up direct deposit of at least $500/month.
- After three consecutive months of qualifying direct deposits, 7,500 points post to your Rapid Rewards account.
This is the easiest 7,500 qualifying points you’ll ever earn. It requires no credit check and no spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Southwest debit card help me get Companion Pass faster than a credit card?
No. The credit cards give you a large sign-up bonus (up to 50,000 points) and annual qualifying points (up to 10,000). The debit card gives you neither. The debit card is slower but accessible to anyone regardless of credit.
2. Can I have both the debit card and a Southwest credit card?
Yes. You can hold both. The debit card does not count toward the “only one credit card” rule for Companion Pass boosts. You can earn qualifying points from both cards simultaneously.
3. Is there a spending limit on the debit card?
There is no preset spending limit like a credit card, but BMO may impose daily purchase limits for security. Typical limits are $2,500-$5,000 per day, but you can request a higher limit by calling BMO.
4. Do points from the debit card expire?
Yes. Rapid Rewards points expire if your account has no earning or redeeming activity for 24 months. The debit card helps keep your account active, but if you stop using it, your points will eventually expire.
5. Can I use the debit card internationally?
Yes. It’s a Visa debit card, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted. However, BMO charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. You’re better off using a no-fee credit card abroad.
6. How long does it take for points to post after a purchase?
Points typically post within 1-2 business days after the transaction settles. They appear in your Rapid Rewards account as “Rapid Rewards Debit Card” points and are immediately qualifying.
Is the Southwest Debit Card Worth It in 2026?
Here’s the bottom line: If you can qualify for a Southwest credit card, get the Priority card. The 50,000-point sign-up bonus and 10,000 annual qualifying points are worth $700+ in Southwest flights and get you more than a third of the way to Companion Pass.
But if your credit is thin, damaged, or you simply refuse to open another credit card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card is a legitimate alternative. It’s the only no-credit-check option that earns Companion Pass qualifying points. Combined with the 7,500-point direct deposit bonus and aggressive spending, you can still reach Companion Pass.
My recommendation: Get the debit card for the 7,500-point bonus regardless. It’s free money. Then evaluate whether you can qualify for a credit card in 6-12 months. Use the debit card for everyday spending in the meantime. Every point counts toward that 135,000 goal.
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Last updated: 2026-07-10