The travel rewards landscape just got more accessible. Southwest Airlines and Wyndham Hotels have launched co-branded debit cards that let you earn travel points without a credit check, targeting Gen Z travelers and anyone who prefers to avoid credit cards. Here's what this means for points enthusiasts and whether these cards make sense for your wallet.

The Debit Card Rewards Comeback

Travel rewards debit cards nearly disappeared after the 2010 Durbin Amendment capped interchange fees, making rewards programs financially unfeasible for banks. But consumer behavior is driving their return. Nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers use debit cards weekly, while 40% of all Americans prefer debit for in-person purchases. That's a massive market that's been shut out of travel rewards until now.

Enter Galileo Financial Technologies, the fintech platform powering both the Southwest and Wyndham cards. By streamlining the launch process from over a year to just a few months, they're making it economically viable for travel brands to offer debit rewards again.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card: What You Get

Southwest launched its Rapid Rewards Debit Card on October 28, 2025, through a partnership with Sunrise Banks. Here's what you'll earn:

Earning Structure

• 1 point per $1 on Southwest purchases, dining, and subscriptions (internet, phone, streaming, utilities, insurance)
• 1 point per $2 on all other purchases
• 2,500-point welcome bonus after two direct deposits and $100 spend in 90 days

Annual Benefits

• Up to 7,500 anniversary bonus points based on annual spending ($15,000+ required for maximum)
• 7,500 Companion Pass qualifying points every year
• Annual 20% off promotion code
• $35 Southwest flight credit annually
• All points count toward Companion Pass qualification

Fees

• $6.99 monthly fee (waived with $2,500 average monthly balance)
• No ATM fees within Cirrus network
• No credit check required

The <a href="https://www.southwest.com/rapid-rewards/partners/debit-card/" target="_blank">Southwest debit card</a> requires opening a checking account with Sunrise Banks and maintaining a balance to avoid fees.

Wyndham Rewards Debit Card: Hotel Points Without Credit

Wyndham beat Southwest to market by seven months, launching in March 2025. The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card offers:

Earning Structure

• 1 point per $1 at Hotels by Wyndham, gas stations, and groceries
• 1 point per $2 on all other purchases
• 2,500-point welcome bonus after two direct deposits and $100 spend in 90 days

Additional Perks

• Complimentary Wyndham Rewards Gold membership
• Up to 7,500 anniversary bonus points
• Additional discount on Wyndham Rewards Member Rates
• No ATM fees at Mastercard-backed ATMs

Fees

• $6.99 monthly fee (waived with $2,500 average monthly balance)

Points redeem for stays at over 60,000 properties, including Wyndham hotels, vacation club resorts, and vacation rentals globally.

The Credit Card Reality Check

Let's be direct: these debit cards earn significantly less than their credit card counterparts.

Compare Southwest's earning rates:

• Debit card: 0.5 points per $1 (most purchases)
• Chase Southwest Plus: 2 points per $1 on Southwest, transit, streaming, utilities
• Chase Southwest Premier: 3 points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• Chase Southwest Performance Business: 4 points per $1 on Southwest purchases

The Southwest credit cards also offer much larger welcome bonuses, ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 points versus the debit card's 2,500 points. On an annual $10,000 in spending, you'd earn just 5,000 points with the debit card compared to 20,000-30,000+ with most Southwest credit cards.

For Wyndham, the story is similar. The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card earns 5x points at Wyndham properties and gas stations, plus 2x at dining and groceries. The Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card goes even higher at 6x and 4x respectively. Credit card welcome bonuses also dwarf the debit card's 2,500 points, with offers typically ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 points.

Who Should Actually Get These Cards

Despite lower earning rates, these debit cards fill specific needs:

Consider the Southwest debit card if you:

• Don't qualify for credit cards or are actively avoiding credit
• Already maintain $2,500+ in checking (avoiding the monthly fee)
• Want every purchase to count toward Companion Pass
• Make significant purchases at merchants that don't accept credit cards
• Are teaching a college student responsible spending while earning rewards
• Prefer zero debt risk over maximizing points

The Wyndham debit card makes sense for:

• Frequent Wyndham guests who can't qualify for credit cards
• Travelers wanting automatic Gold status without credit
• Parents setting up accounts for young adult children
• Anyone maintaining checking balances anyway who wants bonus hotel points
• Those spending at merchants with credit card surcharges

Strategic Considerations for Points Enthusiasts

If you already have a solid credit card strategy, these debit cards probably won't replace your primary earning method. But they could serve as tactical additions in specific scenarios:

Merchant Category ExclusionsSome merchants (utilities, insurance, rent) don't accept credit or charge fees for card payments. Using a rewards debit card at least earns something on that spending.

Building Complementary BalancesThe Southwest debit card's real value might be the 7,500 annual Companion Pass points. If you're close to the 135,000-point Companion Pass threshold, the debit card could help you maintain status year over year.

Family Account StrategySetting up accounts for family members who can't qualify for credit cards keeps their spending earning toward your program of choice, especially valuable for Southwest's household point pooling.

Cash-Preferred MerchantsBusinesses offering cash discounts might accept debit without surcharges, letting you earn points while capturing the cash discount.

The Broader Trend

Southwest and Wyndham are just the beginning. Galileo expects more travel brands to launch debit rewards programs, particularly targeting the 45 million Americans with minimal or no credit history. The $4.3 trillion in annual U.S. debit card spending represents massive untapped potential for loyalty programs.

This democratization of travel rewards could significantly impact the industry. When credit wasn't required, programs like the original Starwood Preferred Guest Amex (now Marriott Bonvoy) built massive followings. Making rewards accessible to debit users could create a new generation of loyal travelers.

The Bottom Line

These travel rewards debit cards represent meaningful progress in financial inclusion, giving millions of consumers access to rewards they've been shut out of. But they're not magic solutions.

For most points enthusiasts with good credit, traditional travel credit cards remain superior for earning rates, welcome bonuses, and premium perks. The Southwest and Wyndham debit cards serve best as supplementary tools for specific spending situations or for travelers who genuinely can't or won't use credit cards.

The real winner here might be younger travelers just starting their points journey. A college student with a Southwest debit card earning points on everyday spending could develop loyalty to the program early, eventually graduating to more lucrative credit card options while maintaining their points balance.

As more brands launch similar products, watch for improved earning rates and benefits as competition increases. For now, these cards are stepping stones rather than destinations in the points and miles game.

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