Planning a trip and find yourself just a few Rapid Rewards points short of that dream Southwest Airlines flight? Or maybe you want to surprise a loved one with the gift of travel? Whatever your reason, buying Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points can be a convenient solution. While it's generally not the most cost-effective way to acquire points, it can be a lifesaver in certain situations, especially if you're close to a redemption or a promotion is running.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, ensuring you can confidently purchase the points you need.
Understanding Southwest Rapid Rewards Points Before You Buy
Before diving into the purchase process, it's essential to grasp a few key aspects of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program:
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Value: Southwest Rapid Rewards points typically have a value of around 1.3 to 1.4 cents per point when redeemed for flights. This can fluctuate based on the fare and dynamic pricing.
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No Expiration: One fantastic benefit of Rapid Rewards points is that they do not expire. Once you earn them, they're yours until you use them.
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Flexibility: Southwest offers no blackout dates for reward flights, meaning if there's a seat available for purchase with cash, you can likely book it with points.
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Not for Status or Companion Pass: Important Note: Purchased points do not count towards earning A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status. These elite statuses require points earned through flights or qualifying partner activities.
Now, let's get down to the brass tacks!
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| How Do I Buy Points On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Are You a Rapid Rewards Member? Let's Find Out!
First things first! Are you already part of the Southwest Rapid Rewards family? This is a crucial prerequisite for buying points.
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If you are a Rapid Rewards Member: Fantastic! You're already one step ahead. Proceed directly to Step 2.
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If you are not a Rapid Rewards Member: No worries at all! It's quick, easy, and free to join.
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How to Join: Visit the Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com). Look for the "Rapid Rewards" link, often located in the top right corner or in a prominent section of the homepage. Click on "Enroll" or "Sign Up" and follow the prompts to create your free account. You'll need to provide some basic personal information. Make sure to note down your Rapid Rewards account number once you receive it!
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Step 2: Navigating to the "Buy Points" Section
Once you're a Rapid Rewards member and logged into your account, it's time to find where to buy those precious points.
Sub-heading: Logging In to Your Account
QuickTip: Scan quickly, then go deeper where needed.
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Go to Southwest.com: Open your web browser and head to the official Southwest Airlines website.
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Log In: In the upper right-hand corner of the homepage, you'll see a "Log In" button. Click it.
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Enter Credentials: Input your Rapid Rewards account number (or username) and password. Click "Log In."
Sub-heading: Finding the "Buy or Transfer Points" Option
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Locate "Rapid Rewards": After logging in, you'll usually see your name and Rapid Rewards information near the top of the page. Look for a link or dropdown menu labeled "Rapid Rewards."
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Select "Buy or Transfer Points": Click on "Rapid Rewards" and then, from the dropdown menu, select the option that says "Buy or Transfer Points" or similar wording. This is your gateway to acquiring more points!
Step 3: Choosing to "Buy Points"
You'll be presented with a few options here, including buying, gifting, or transferring points.
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Click "Buy Points": On the "Buy or Transfer Points" page, explicitly select the "Buy Points" option. This will take you to the interface where you can specify the number of points you wish to purchase.
Step 4: Specifying the Number of Points to Purchase
This is where you decide how many points you need.
Sub-heading: Understanding Purchase Increments and Limits
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Increment: Southwest typically allows you to purchase points in increments of 500 points, with an initial minimum purchase often set at 2,000 points. During promotions, the increments might be larger (e.g., 1,000 points).
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Maximum Per Transaction: There's usually a maximum of 60,000 points per transaction.
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Daily Maximum: A daily maximum transaction limit of $2,000 per Rapid Rewards member account also applies.
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Promotional Offers: Keep an eye out for promotions! Southwest frequently offers bonuses or discounts on purchased points. For example, you might see a "50% bonus" on points purchased in certain increments. These promotions can significantly reduce the effective cost per point, making buying more worthwhile. If there's a current promotion, it will usually be prominently displayed on this page.
Sub-heading: Selecting Your Desired Amount
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Use the Drop-down Menu: You'll typically find a dropdown menu or input field where you can select the number of points you want to buy.
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Review the Cost: As you select different quantities, the corresponding dollar cost will update. Pay close attention to the total amount you will be charged.
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Consider the Value: Do a quick mental calculation or use a calculator to determine the effective cost per point. Divide the total cost by the number of points. Compare this to the average value of Southwest points (1.3-1.4 cents). If you're paying significantly more, consider if it's truly worth it for your specific travel plans. Sometimes, it's only worth it if you're topping off an account for an immediate redemption or if there's a strong promotional offer.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
Step 5: Providing Your Payment Information
Once you've selected the number of points, it's time to complete the transaction.
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Billing Information: You'll be prompted to enter your billing address details, including your name, address, city, state, and zip code.
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Credit Card Details: A valid credit card is required for all point purchases. Enter your credit card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV).
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Pro Tip: While Southwest processes these transactions, they are often facilitated by a third-party vendor like Points.com. This means the purchase might not code as a "travel" expense on your credit card. If you have a Southwest co-branded credit card, it may trigger bonus points on the purchase, but verify this with your card issuer.
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Review Order: Before finalizing, carefully review all the details of your purchase, including the number of points, the total cost, and your billing information. Double-check for any typos!
Step 6: Completing the Purchase
The final step is to confirm and complete your order.
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Agree to Terms and Conditions: You will likely need to check a box indicating that you agree to the terms and conditions of the purchase. Take a moment to skim these, especially regarding the non-refundable and non-reversible nature of point purchases.
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Click "Pay Now" or "Complete Purchase": Once everything looks correct, click the "Pay Now" or "Complete Purchase" button.
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Confirmation: You should receive an on-screen confirmation of your purchase. An email confirmation will also be sent to the email address associated with your Rapid Rewards account.
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Points Posting: Purchased points typically post to your Rapid Rewards account instantly or within a few hours, though the official timeframe can be up to 72 hours. Check your Rapid Rewards account balance to confirm the points have been added.
Step 7: Using Your Newly Acquired Points
Now that you have your points, it's time to put them to good use!
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Search for Flights: Go back to Southwest.com and search for your desired flight.
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Select "Points" as Payment: When viewing fare options, ensure you select "Points" as your payment method rather than "Dollars."
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Book Your Trip: Choose your flight, proceed through the booking process, and use your accumulated Rapid Rewards points (including your newly purchased ones) to cover the cost of the fare. You'll still need to pay taxes and fees with a credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about buying Southwest Rapid Rewards points, with quick answers:
How to buy Southwest points as a gift for someone else?
Tip: Reading carefully reduces re-reading.
You can buy Southwest points as a gift directly through the Southwest website. On the "Buy or Transfer Points" page, select "Gift Points" and provide the recipient's name, Rapid Rewards number, and email address.
How to know the cost of buying Southwest points?
The base cost of buying Southwest points is generally around 2.75 to 3 cents per point. However, Southwest frequently runs promotions offering bonuses or discounts, which can reduce the effective cost per point to as low as 1.5 cents per point. The exact cost will be displayed when you select the number of points to purchase.
How to use purchased Southwest points?
Purchased Southwest points are automatically added to your Rapid Rewards account. You use them just like any other Rapid Rewards points: log in to your account, search for a flight, and select the "Points" option when viewing fares.
How to determine if buying Southwest points is worth it?
It's generally worth buying Southwest points if there's a strong promotional offer (e.g., a 40-50% bonus) or if you need to top off your account for a specific redemption that provides good value (e.g., getting a flight that would otherwise be very expensive in cash). Compare the cost per purchased point to the value you'd get when redeeming them (typically 1.3-1.4 cents).
How to find out about Southwest points purchase promotions?
Southwest often announces points purchase promotions on their website, through email newsletters, or via their social media channels. Keep an eye on the "Buy or Transfer Points" page on Southwest.com, as any current offers will be displayed there.
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
How to ensure my purchased points post to my account quickly?
While points typically post instantly, allow up to 72 hours for them to appear in your Rapid Rewards account. Ensure all your billing and account information is accurate during the purchase to avoid delays.
How to avoid common mistakes when buying Southwest points?
Avoid buying points without a specific redemption in mind, especially if there's no promotion. Also, remember that purchased points do not count towards elite status or Companion Pass qualification. Always double-check the total cost and the effective cost per point.
How to pay for purchased Southwest points?
You can pay for purchased Southwest points using a credit card. Debit cards may also be accepted, but it's generally recommended to use a credit card for the added protection.
How to check my Rapid Rewards point balance after a purchase?
After logging into your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, your current point balance will typically be displayed prominently on your account dashboard or under the "My Account" section.
How to get more Southwest points without buying them?
There are many ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points beyond flying:
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Southwest Credit Cards: Apply for and use co-branded Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards.
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Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards (if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred card) at a 1:1 ratio.
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Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Earn points by shopping online through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
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Rapid Rewards Dining: Earn points by dining at participating restaurants with a registered credit card.
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Hotel and Car Rental Partners: Earn points when booking stays or rentals with Southwest's partners.
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