Want to share the love of Southwest Airlines with your friends and earn some fantastic rewards in return? You've come to the right place! While Southwest doesn't have a general "refer a friend to fly" program in the traditional sense, they do offer exciting referral opportunities, primarily through their Rapid Rewards Credit Cards and their Southwest Business program. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to potentially earn valuable points for yourself and introduce your friends to the benefits of Southwest.
Are you ready to unlock some serious travel perks? Let's dive in!
Understanding Southwest's Referral Programs
It's important to clarify that Southwest Airlines doesn't offer a simple "refer a friend to book a flight" bonus. Instead, their referral incentives are typically tied to specific products or services:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: This is the most common way for individuals to refer friends and earn bonus points. If you're a Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card holder, you might be eligible to refer new cardmembers.
Southwest Business "Refer a Company" Program: This program is designed for individuals who can refer eligible companies to establish a business travel relationship with Southwest. This is geared towards corporate travel decision-makers.
We'll focus primarily on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card referral program as it's more broadly applicable to individual users.
Step 1: Are You Eligible to Refer? - Check Your Status!
Before you get too excited about those bonus points, the very first thing you need to do is confirm your eligibility. Not all Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card holders will have an active referral link at all times.
Sub-heading: Checking for Your Referral Link
For Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card holders: This is where you're most likely to find a referral program.
Visit the Chase Refer-a-Friend Page: The quickest way to check is often to go directly to Chase's dedicated referral page for Southwest cards. You can typically find this by searching for "Chase Southwest refer a friend" or directly navigating to something like
Chase.com/referafriend/swafamily Enter Your Information: You'll usually be prompted to enter your last name, zip code, and the last 4 digits of your Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card.
See Your Eligibility: The system will then inform you if you are currently eligible for a referral link for your specific card. If you are, it will generate a unique link for you to share.
Keep an Eye on Your Email and Account: Sometimes, Chase will send out email invitations with referral offers, or you might see a notification within your Chase online account dashboard.
Important Note: If you don't see a referral link, it means you're currently not eligible for that specific program. Don't worry, these offers often come and go, so keep checking back!
Step 2: Generating Your Unique Referral Link - Your Golden Ticket!
Once you've confirmed your eligibility, the next step is to generate your unique referral link. This link is crucial because it tracks who you've referred and ensures you receive the bonus points.
Sub-heading: How to Generate the Link
Access the Referral Portal: As mentioned in Step 1, go to the designated Chase Southwest refer-a-friend page (e.g.,
Chase.com/referafriend/swafamily Verify Your Identity: Input the required details (last name, zip code, last 4 digits of your card) to verify your account.
Click to Generate: Once your eligibility is confirmed, there will be a clear button or prompt to "Generate your referral link" or similar. Click this to create your unique link.
Copy the Link: Your unique referral link will be displayed. Copy this link immediately! You'll need it to share with your friends. It's a good idea to save it in a place you can easily access.
Step 3: Sharing the Southwest Love - Inviting Your Friends!
Now for the fun part: sharing your referral link with friends who might be interested in a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card!
Sub-heading: Best Practices for Sharing
Personalized Approach is Key: Don't just blast your link everywhere. Think about which friends or family members genuinely travel frequently or could benefit from the perks of a Southwest credit card.
Explain the Benefits: When you share the link, don't just say "sign up for this card." Instead, highlight the specific benefits that you enjoy and that your friend might appreciate. This could include:
Earning Rapid Rewards points on everyday purchases.
Free checked bags (a huge Southwest perk!).
Anniversary bonus points.
Companion Pass qualifying points (if applicable to the card you're referring).
No foreign transaction fees (on certain cards).
Be Transparent: Always be clear that it's a referral link and that you might receive a bonus if they sign up and are approved. Honesty builds trust.
Consider Different Channels:
Direct Message: A private message on social media, WhatsApp, or an email is often the most effective.
Email: If you're sending to multiple people, a well-crafted email can work wonders.
Word-of-Mouth: Talk to your friends in person and then follow up with the link.
Avoid Public Posts (Generally): While tempting, avoid posting your referral link publicly on large forums or general social media feeds where it might be seen as spam or solicitous. Some programs even have rules against this.
Step 4: Friend Applies and Qualifies - The Waiting Game!
After your friend receives your link, it's up to them to apply for the credit card.
Sub-heading: What Your Friend Needs to Do
Click Your Unique Link: Your friend must use your specific referral link to apply. If they navigate directly to the Chase website or apply through another channel, your referral will not be tracked, and you won't receive the bonus.
Complete the Application: They need to fill out the credit card application accurately and completely.
Get Approved: For you to receive your referral bonus, your friend must be approved for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card.
Meet Spending Requirements (Often): Many credit card welcome bonuses (which your friend might also receive) require a certain amount of spending within a set timeframe. While this typically applies to their bonus, it's good for them to be aware. Your referral bonus usually hinges on their approval, but always check the specific terms of your referral offer.
Step 5: Receiving Your Bonus Points - Enjoy the Rewards!
Once your friend's application is approved and all conditions are met, you'll receive your Rapid Rewards bonus points!
Sub-heading: What to Expect and When
Point Posting Timeline: The bonus points usually post to your Rapid Rewards account within a few weeks (often 6-8 weeks) after your friend is approved. Always check the specific terms of your referral offer for the exact timeline.
Confirmation: You may receive an email notification from Chase or Southwest confirming that your bonus points have been awarded.
Track Your Points: You can always log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account to view your updated point balance. These points are a fantastic way to redeem for future flights, meaning more "Transfarency" for you!
Referral Limits: Be aware that most referral programs have limits on how many friends you can refer or how many bonus points you can earn within a specific period (e.g., up to 100,000 bonus points per year for Chase Southwest card referrals).
Southwest Business "Refer a Company" Program
As briefly mentioned earlier, Southwest also has a "Refer a Company" program within its Southwest Business division. This is distinct from individual credit card referrals.
Purpose: This program rewards individuals for referring eligible companies to establish a business travel relationship with Southwest.
Reward: You can earn a significant amount of Rapid Rewards bonus points (e.g., 25,000 points per qualifying referral, up to a cap like 125,000 points).
Process: You typically fill out a form on the Southwest Business website with details of the company's travel decision-maker. The referred company then needs to opt-in, qualify, and complete the referral process, which often involves booking travel through a business channel.
Target Audience: This program is for individuals with connections to companies that have corporate travel needs and are not already using Southwest for business travel.
If you believe you have a business referral lead, you should visit the Southwest Business website directly to find the "Refer a Company" program details and terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, all starting with "How to," with their quick answers:
How to Check My Southwest Rapid Rewards Point Balance?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your point balance will be prominently displayed on your account snapshot.
How to Find Out If I Have a Southwest Credit Card Referral Link?
Visit
Chase.com/referafriend/swafamily
How to Ensure My Friend's Application Counts for My Referral Bonus?
Your friend must use the unique referral link you provide when they apply for the credit card. Do not let them navigate directly to Chase's website.
How to Use My Earned Rapid Rewards Points for Flights?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, select "Book a Flight," and then choose the "Points" option for your payment method.
How to Qualify for Southwest's Companion Pass?
You qualify for Companion Pass by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Points earned from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards contribute to this.
How to Change My Designated Companion Pass Companion?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to your Snapshot tab, locate "Choose Your Companion," and follow the instructions to change your designated companion (up to three times per calendar year).
How to Earn More Rapid Rewards Points Besides Referrals?
You can earn points by flying Southwest, using your Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card for purchases, shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, dining with Rapid Rewards Dining partners, and utilizing various other Southwest partners (hotels, car rentals, etc.).
How to Know If a Company Qualifies for the Southwest Business Referral Program?
Generally, the referred company should not already have an existing business travel relationship with Southwest. Specific qualification criteria are outlined on the Southwest Business "Refer a Company" page.
How to Deal with a Friend Who Applied But I Didn't Get My Points?
First, confirm your friend used your specific referral link. Then, allow the stated processing time (usually 6-8 weeks). If points still haven't appeared, contact Chase's customer service for assistance regarding the referral program.
How to Understand the Terms and Conditions of a Southwest Referral Offer?
Always carefully read the fine print associated with any referral offer you receive, whether it's via email or on the Chase/Southwest website. This will detail the bonus amount, eligibility requirements, and any exclusions or limitations.
