Understanding Southwest Rapid Rewards Points and Their Value
Before we dive into the costs, let's briefly touch upon what Southwest Rapid Rewards points are and their general value. Southwest operates a revenue-based loyalty program, meaning the number of points required for a flight is generally tied to the cash price of that ticket.
Historically, Southwest Rapid Rewards points have held a relatively consistent value, often hovering around 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for Wanna Get Away fares. However, due to dynamic pricing, the exact value you get can fluctuate. This means that while you might typically get 1.3 cents per point on one redemption, another might yield 1.5 cents or slightly less. This flexibility is a hallmark of the Southwest program, offering no blackout dates and "any seat, any time" availability for points redemption.
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| How Much Does It Cost To Buy Points On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Determine If Buying Points Is Right for Your Travel Needs
This is arguably the most critical step because, in many scenarios, buying points isn't the most economical way to acquire them. So, before you even look at the price tag, ask yourself if this strategy aligns with your travel objectives.
When it Might Make Sense to Buy Southwest Points:
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Topping Off Your Account for an Immediate Redemption: This is the most common and often most justifiable reason. If you're just a few thousand points short of a specific flight you need to book right now, and the cash price is significantly higher, buying a small increment to bridge the gap can be a smart move. Southwest usually deposits purchased points instantly (though they state up to 72 hours), making it a viable last-minute option.
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Leveraging a High-Value Promotion: Southwest frequently runs sales on points purchases, sometimes offering discounts of 40% or even 50%. If the promotional price per point is lower than the value you expect to get from your redemption (e.g., buying at 1.5 cents/point when you know you can redeem at 1.6+ cents/point), it could make sense. However, this is rare and requires careful calculation.
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Emergency Travel Where Cash Prices are Exorbitant: In situations where cash fares have spiked due to last-minute booking or high demand, and you don't have enough points, buying them might be cheaper than the cash fare. Again, this requires a direct comparison.
When it Generally Does NOT Make Sense to Buy Southwest Points:
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Routine Accumulation of Points: Buying points at face value or even with a modest discount is almost always more expensive than earning them through flying, credit card sign-up bonuses, or partner activities.
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Earning Companion Pass or A-List Status: Crucially, points purchased directly from Southwest (via Points.com) do not count towards earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass or A-List/A-List Preferred elite status. If your goal is status, focus on credit card spend, qualifying flights, or partner earnings.
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If You Have Flexible Points (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards): If you have Chase Ultimate Rewards points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, you can transfer them to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This is often a much better value than buying points, as those UR points are generally more valuable or earned at a lower cost.
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When Opportunity Cost Outweighs Savings: Remember, when you use points for a flight, you don't earn Rapid Rewards points on that flight, nor do you earn credit card rewards on the purchase. When you pay cash, you earn both. Factor this "opportunity cost" into your decision.
Step 2: Finding the Cost – The Base Rate & Promotional Offers
The "how much" question is directly tied to whether a promotion is running. Southwest partners with Points.com for all point purchase transactions, so you'll be redirected there.
The Standard Price (Without Promotion)
Under normal circumstances, without any special promotions, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are sold at a relatively high price. While this can fluctuate slightly, you can typically expect to pay around $30.00 to $35.00 for every 1,000 points. This translates to a cost of 3.0 to 3.5 cents per point.
Let's do the math:
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
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1,000 points @ $30.00 = 3.0 cents per point ($0.030)
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10,000 points @ $300.00 = 3.0 cents per point ($0.030)
As you can see, if Southwest Rapid Rewards points are generally valued around 1.3 to 1.5 cents when redeemed, paying 3.0 cents per point to acquire them is a terrible deal. You'd be spending more than double their redemption value! This is why buying points at the standard rate is almost never advisable.
The Power of Promotions (and Why They Matter So Much)
This is where the game changes. Southwest frequently offers promotions on point purchases, which can significantly reduce the cost per point. These promotions are typically structured as a percentage discount (e.g., 40% off, 50% off) or a bonus (e.g., buy X points, get Y bonus points).
Common Promotional Discounts:
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40% Off: This would bring the cost of 1,000 points down from $30.00 to approximately $18.00, or 1.8 cents per point.
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50% Off: This is often the best and most common promotion. With a 50% discount, 1,000 points would cost around $15.00, or 1.5 cents per point.
Important Note on Promotional Tiers: Sometimes, the discount percentage is tiered, meaning you get a higher discount for buying a larger quantity of points. For example:
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2,000 points: No discount (3.0¢ each)
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3,000–9,000 points: 40% discount (1.8¢ each)
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10,000–60,000 points: 50% discount (1.5¢ each)
This means to get the best price per point, you often need to purchase a higher volume.
Calculating Your Cost Per Point (CPP) – The Real Test
To determine if a purchase is a good deal, you need to calculate your effective cost per point and compare it to the redemption value you expect.
Formula: Cost Per Point (CPP) = Total Cost of Points / Total Number of Points Purchased
Example:
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You buy 10,000 points for $150 (during a 50% off sale).
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CPP = $150 / 10,000 points = $0.015 per point, or 1.5 cents per point.
Now, compare this 1.5 cents per point purchase cost to the average redemption value of Southwest points (typically 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point). If you can consistently get 1.5 cents or more in value from your redemptions, then buying at 1.5 cents per point could be considered "breaking even" or even a slight gain, especially if it unlocks a specific flight that would be much more expensive in cash.
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Purchase Process
Once you've decided that buying points is the right choice for you, the actual process is straightforward.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Purchase Portal
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Visit the Southwest Airlines Website: Go to Southwest.com.
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Navigate to Rapid Rewards: Look for the "Rapid Rewards" menu or tab, usually found in the top navigation bar.
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Find "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Points": Within the Rapid Rewards section, you'll find an option specifically for "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" or something similar. Click on it.
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Sign In: You'll likely be prompted to sign in to your Rapid Rewards account.
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Redirect to Points.com: Southwest partners with Points.com for these transactions, so you'll be redirected to a secure page hosted by Points.com that is branded with Southwest Airlines.
Sub-heading: Selecting Your Points Quantity
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Choose "Buy Points": On the Points.com portal, select the "Buy Points" option (as opposed to "Gift Points" or "Transfer Points").
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Review Available Increments and Promotions: The page will display the current point purchase options.
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Minimum Purchase: The minimum purchase is generally 2,000 points.
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Maximum Daily Purchase: The daily maximum is typically 60,000 points for both personal and gift purchases.
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Increments: Points are offered in increments of 500 or 1,000, depending on whether a promotion is running.
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Observe Any Active Promotions: Pay close attention to any banners or text indicating a discount or bonus. This is where you'll see the 40% or 50% off deals.
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Select Desired Quantity: Choose the amount of points you wish to purchase from the dropdown menu or by entering a specific number within the allowed increments. As you adjust the quantity, the total cost will update.
Sub-heading: Reviewing Your Order
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Verify Points and Cost: Double-check the number of points you're purchasing and the total cost displayed. Make sure the applied discount (if any) is reflected correctly.
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Confirm Personal Details: Ensure your Rapid Rewards account number and name are correctly associated with the purchase.
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Read Terms and Conditions: It's always advisable to quickly skim the terms and conditions provided by Points.com and Southwest. This will reconfirm details like non-refundability, point posting times, and limitations.
Sub-heading: Completing the Transaction
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Enter Payment Information: Provide your credit card details (card number, expiration date, CVV, billing address).
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Choose a Rewards Credit Card (Optional, but Recommended): Consider using a travel rewards credit card, especially one that offers bonus points on travel purchases, or a Southwest co-branded credit card. While the purchase won't earn Rapid Rewards points on the transaction itself (as you're buying them), you can still earn credit card points, which effectively lowers your net cost.
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Submit Order: Click the "Complete Purchase" or "Submit Order" button.
Sub-heading: Confirmation and Point Posting
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Confirmation Page: You'll be directed to a confirmation page with your transaction details.
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Email Confirmation: You'll typically receive an email confirmation from Points.com shortly after your purchase.
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Point Posting: While Southwest states points may take up to 72 hours to post to your Rapid Rewards account, in practice, they often appear much faster, sometimes almost instantly. You can check your Rapid Rewards account balance on Southwest.com or via the Southwest mobile app.
Important Considerations Before Hitting "Buy"
Beyond the immediate cost, there are several crucial factors to keep in mind when considering buying Southwest points:
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Points Do Not Count Towards A-List Status or Companion Pass: This cannot be stressed enough. Unlike points earned from flying or spending on Southwest co-branded credit cards, points purchased directly from Southwest/Points.com will not help you qualify for elite status (A-List, A-List Preferred) or the highly sought-after Companion Pass. If those are your goals, focus on other earning methods.
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Non-Refundable: All point purchases are final and non-refundable. Be absolutely sure you need the points before completing the transaction.
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Points Do Not Expire: The good news is that Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open. This gives you flexibility in when to use purchased points.
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Alternative Ways to Earn Points: Remember that buying points is often the most expensive way to acquire them. Explore other avenues like:
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: Sign-up bonuses can be incredibly lucrative (often 50,000+ points after meeting spending requirements).
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Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfers: If you have Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can transfer UR points 1:1 to Rapid Rewards.
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Flying Southwest: Earn points based on fare class and fare price.
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Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Earn bonus points for online shopping through Southwest's portal.
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Rapid Rewards Dining: Earn points by dining at participating restaurants.
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Hotel & Car Rental Partners: Earn points when booking with Southwest's partners.
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Conclusion
The cost of buying points on Southwest Airlines can range significantly, from an expensive 3.0 cents per point at the standard rate to a more palatable 1.5 cents per point during a strong promotional sale. While purchasing points is generally not the most advisable strategy for accumulating a large balance, it can be a valuable tool for "topping off" your account for an immediate, high-value redemption or in urgent travel situations where cash fares are exceptionally high.
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
Always compare the cost of buying points (especially during a promotion) to the cash price of the flight you intend to book, and consider the opportunity cost of not earning points on a cash booking. By understanding the pricing structure and when to strategically use this option, you can make informed decisions that maximize your travel savings with Southwest Airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check the current cost of buying Southwest points?
You can check the current cost by visiting the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section on Southwest.com, which will redirect you to the Points.com portal. The prices and any active promotions will be displayed there.
How to find out about Southwest points purchase promotions?
Southwest often advertises points purchase promotions directly on their website in the Rapid Rewards section, via email to Rapid Rewards members, or through travel blogs and points/miles websites that track these deals. They run them quite frequently.
How to buy points on Southwest Airlines step-by-step?
Sign in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, navigate to "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points," select "Buy Points," choose your desired quantity, review the cost, enter your payment information, and complete the transaction on the Points.com portal.
How many points can I buy at once or per day?
You can typically purchase a minimum of 2,000 points and a maximum of 60,000 points per day for your personal account or as a gift. Points are often sold in increments of 500 or 1,000.
QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
How long does it take for purchased Southwest points to post to my account?
While Southwest states it can take up to 72 hours for purchased points to post, they often appear in your Rapid Rewards account almost instantly or within a few hours.
How do I use purchased points for a flight?
Once the purchased points appear in your Rapid Rewards account, they are indistinguishable from points earned through other methods. Simply log in to Southwest.com, search for flights, and select the "Points" option when viewing fares.
How to know if buying points is a good deal for my specific flight?
Calculate the cost per point (total cost / total points). Then, compare this to the value you'd get from redeeming those points for your desired flight (cash price of flight / points required for flight). If your "redemption value" is higher than your "purchase cost per point," it might be a good deal.
How do purchased points affect my Southwest A-List status or Companion Pass qualification?
Purchased points do not count towards earning A-List status or the Companion Pass. These programs require points earned from flying or from spending on Southwest co-branded credit cards.
How to get Southwest Rapid Rewards points for free or cheaper?
You can earn points through Southwest co-branded credit card sign-up bonuses, transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points, flying Southwest, using the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, dining with Rapid Rewards Dining, and booking with hotel and car rental partners.
How to transfer Southwest points to another person?
Southwest allows members to transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member's account through the "Gift or Transfer Points" option on their website. However, there is typically a fee associated with point transfers, making it an expensive option.
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