Ready to uncover the power of your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points? It's like finding hidden treasure that can unlock your next adventure! Whether you're planning a dream vacation or a quick getaway, knowing your points balance is the first exciting step. Let's dive in and discover how many points you've earned with Southwest's fantastic loyalty program.
Understanding Southwest Rapid Rewards
Before we jump into checking your points, let's quickly recap what Southwest Rapid Rewards is all about. It's Southwest Airlines' loyalty program designed to reward frequent flyers. Unlike some other airline programs that focus on miles flown, Rapid Rewards awards points based on the fare type and price of your ticket. The more expensive the fare and the higher the fare class, the more points you earn. These points can then be redeemed for flights, gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, and even unique experiences. The best part? Southwest Rapid Rewards points never expire!
Step 1: Get Ready to Access Your Account!
This is where the journey begins! To find out your Rapid Rewards point balance, you'll need to access your Southwest Airlines account.
Sub-heading: Do You Have a Rapid Rewards Account?
First things first: Do you already have a Rapid Rewards account?
Yes, I do! Fantastic! You're one step closer to seeing your points.
No, I don't. No worries at all! It's quick and easy to create one. Simply head over to the Southwest Airlines website and look for the "Rapid Rewards" section to sign up. You'll need to provide some basic personal information. Once registered, you'll receive your Rapid Rewards account number.
Step 2: Navigate to the Southwest Airlines Website
This is the primary gateway to your points information.
Sub-heading: Open Your Web Browser
Open your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on your computer or mobile device.
Sub-heading: Go to Southwest.com
In the address bar, type www.southwest.com and press Enter. This will take you to the official Southwest Airlines homepage.
Step 3: Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account
This is where you'll securely access your personal points dashboard.
Sub-heading: Locate the Login Area
On the Southwest.com homepage, look for a "Login" or "My Account" link, usually located in the top right corner of the page. It might also be integrated into a larger "Rapid Rewards" menu.
Sub-heading: Enter Your Credentials
Click on the login link. You'll be prompted to enter your:
Rapid Rewards Account Number or Username: This is the unique identifier for your Rapid Rewards account. If you've created a username, you can use that.
Password: Your chosen password for your Southwest account. Remember, it's case-sensitive!
Sub-heading: Troubleshooting Login Issues
Forgot your username or password? Don't panic! Most login pages have "Forgot username?" or "Forgot password?" links. Click on these and follow the instructions to recover or reset your credentials. You'll likely need your Rapid Rewards account number or the email address associated with your account.
Having persistent issues? If you're still struggling to log in, it's best to contact Southwest Airlines customer service directly. (Contact details are provided later in the FAQ section).
Step 4: View Your Points Balance
Once you've successfully logged in, you'll be taken to your Rapid Rewards dashboard or "My Account" page.
Sub-heading: Spot Your Points!
On your personalized dashboard, your Rapid Rewards point balance will typically be prominently displayed. It's usually a large number, often labeled as "Rapid Rewards Points" or "Current Points Balance." You might also see your progress towards A-List or A-List Preferred status if you're working towards elite tiers.
Sub-heading: Explore Your Activity (Optional, but Recommended!)
Many Rapid Rewards dashboards also offer a link to view your "Points Activity" or "Transaction History." Clicking on this will give you a detailed breakdown of:
When you earned points: This includes points from flights, credit card spending, Rapid Rewards partners (like hotels, rental cars, shopping, dining), and any special promotions.
When points were redeemed: This shows how you've used your points in the past.
Any adjustments to your balance.
This is a great way to reconcile your own records and understand how your points accumulate.
Step 5: Other Ways to Check Your Points (Beyond the Website)
While the website is the primary method, there are a few other convenient ways to keep tabs on your Rapid Rewards points.
Sub-heading: Southwest Airlines Mobile App
If you prefer managing your travel on the go, the Southwest Airlines mobile app is an excellent tool.
Download and Install: If you haven't already, download the Southwest Airlines app from your device's app store (iOS App Store for Apple devices, Google Play Store for Android).
Login: Open the app and log in using your Rapid Rewards account number or username and password.
View Points: Your points balance should be readily visible on the app's home screen or within the "My Account" section.
Sub-heading: Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card Dashboard (Chase)
If you hold a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card issued by Chase, you can also check your points balance through your Chase online banking portal.
Log in to Chase: Go to
chase.comand log in to your Chase online account.Navigate to Rewards: Look for a "Rewards" or "Rapid Rewards Dashboard" section associated with your Southwest credit card. This will show you the points you've earned through your credit card spending, which are then transferred to your Rapid Rewards account.
Sub-heading: Contact Southwest Customer Service
While less immediate, you can always call Southwest Airlines customer service to inquire about your points balance.
Phone Number: The general Rapid Rewards customer service number is 1-800-445-5764. Have your Rapid Rewards account number ready when you call.
Step 6: Understanding Your Points and Their Value
Now that you know your balance, let's touch upon what those points mean.
Sub-heading: Points and Their Redemption Value
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are tied to the cash value of a fare. This means the number of points required for a flight will fluctuate with the cash price of that flight. There are no blackout dates, and if a seat is available for purchase with cash, it's available for purchase with points. Generally, you can expect to get approximately 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point in value when redeeming for Wanna Get Away fares. The value can vary slightly based on fare type and route.
Sub-heading: Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) vs. Redeemable Points
It's important to distinguish between two types of points:
Redeemable Points: These are the points you use to book flights, gift cards, etc. They are what you primarily see when you check your balance.
Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs): These points are specifically earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest (paid with dollars, LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits) or through spending on eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent). TQPs determine your elite status (A-List and A-List Preferred). You'll typically see your TQP progress on your Rapid Rewards dashboard as well, separate from your redeemable points balance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check my Southwest Rapid Rewards points on the mobile app?
Open the Southwest Airlines mobile app, log in to your Rapid Rewards account, and your points balance will usually be displayed on the main screen or in the "My Account" section.
How to recover a forgotten Southwest Rapid Rewards password?
On the Southwest.com login page, click the "Forgot password?" link and follow the prompts to reset it, typically by providing your Rapid Rewards account number or associated email address.
How to earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points?
You can earn points by flying with Southwest, using a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card for everyday purchases, shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, dining with Rapid Rewards Dining, and utilizing other Southwest partners (hotels, car rentals).
How to know if my Southwest points will expire?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. As long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open, your points will be there.
How to find my Southwest Rapid Rewards account number?
Your Rapid Rewards account number is typically found on your Rapid Rewards dashboard after you log in to Southwest.com or the mobile app. It's also usually included in emails from Southwest regarding your account.
How to contact Southwest Airlines customer service for Rapid Rewards questions?
You can call Southwest Rapid Rewards customer service at 1-800-445-5764.
How to see the breakdown of my earned Southwest points?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or the mobile app, and look for a link like "Points Activity" or "Transaction History" on your dashboard.
How to use my Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a flight?
On Southwest.com, when searching for flights, select the "Points" option instead of "Dollars" when entering your travel details. The search results will then show fares in points.
How to earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) with Southwest?
TQPs are earned from revenue flights paid with dollars or equivalent, and through spending on eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent).
How to understand the value of my Southwest Rapid Rewards points?
Southwest points are tied to the cash value of the fare. Generally, points redeem at approximately 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point for Wanna Get Away fares, meaning the number of points required for a flight will increase or decrease with the cash price.
