Getting a discount on Southwest Airlines can feel like a game of hide-and-seek sometimes, given their unique pricing structure and focus on value. But don't worry, you absolutely can save money on Southwest flights! It just requires a bit of savvy, some strategic planning, and knowing where to look. Let's dive into the ultimate guide to snagging those coveted Southwest discounts.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Be a Southwest Savant?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, ask yourself: are you open to a little flexibility? Southwest's discounts often favor those who can adjust their travel dates, times, or even departure/arrival airports. If you're rigidly set on a specific date and time, finding a deep discount might be tougher, but still possible! Embrace the spirit of a flexible flyer, and you'll unlock more savings.
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| How Can I Get A Discount On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Master the Art of Timing Your Purchase
When you buy your ticket can be just as important as where you're flying. Southwest doesn't play the typical airline game of constantly fluctuating prices on third-party sites. They have their own rhythm.
Sub-heading: The Infamous "Tuesday Sales"
Southwest is renowned for its weekly fare sales, which historically often launch on Tuesdays. These sales can offer significant discounts on select routes and travel dates.
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How to stay informed:
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Subscribe to Southwest's email newsletter: This is your primary source for direct notifications about flash sales and promotions. Don't miss out!
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Follow Southwest on social media: They often announce sales and special offers on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
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Set up fare alerts: While third-party sites might not always show Southwest's specific "Wanna Get Away" fares, some aggregators can still notify you of general price drops on your desired routes.
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Sub-heading: The Early Bird Catches the Low Fare
Generally, booking your Southwest flight well in advance can lead to lower prices. Southwest typically releases its flight schedule about six months ahead of time. The earliest fares are often the "Wanna Get Away" fares, which are the lowest. As the flight fills up, these cheaper fares disappear.
Sub-heading: Flexibility is Your Friend
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Fly on off-peak days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays often have the lowest fares. Avoid peak travel days like Fridays and Sundays if possible.
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Consider off-peak seasons: Traveling during the shoulder seasons or off-seasons for your destination can result in significantly cheaper flights and fewer crowds.
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Utilize the Low Fare Calendar: Southwest's website has a fantastic "Low Fare Calendar" tool. This allows you to see the cheapest prices across an entire month for your chosen route. This is an absolute game-changer for budget travelers!
Step 3: Leverage Southwest's Loyalty Program: Rapid Rewards
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
If you fly Southwest even occasionally, joining their free Rapid Rewards program is a no-brainer. This isn't just about earning points for free flights; it's a gateway to various benefits and discounts.
Sub-heading: Earn Points to Fly for Free (or Cheaper!)
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Flying: Earn points for every dollar you spend on Southwest flights. Different fare types earn points at different rates (e.g., "Business Select" earns more points than "Basic").
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Partnerships: Earn points through Southwest's partners, including hotels, rental car companies, shopping portals (Rapid Rewards Shopping), and dining programs (Rapid Rewards Dining). Everyday spending can contribute to your travel fund!
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Credit Cards: Southwest offers co-branded credit cards through Chase. These cards can come with substantial sign-up bonuses (enough for a free flight or two!), anniversary points, and accelerated earning rates on Southwest purchases. This is one of the quickest ways to accumulate a large number of points.
Sub-heading: Redeem Points Strategically
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Consider the "value" of your points: Southwest's point redemption is tied to the cash price of the fare. This means if a fare is cheaper in cash, it will also require fewer points. Always compare the cash price to the point price before booking.
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Look for "Sales" on points: While less common than fare sales, Southwest occasionally offers promotions where you can get more value out of your points for specific routes or dates.
Sub-heading: Aim for A-List Status and Companion Pass
These are the holy grail for frequent Southwest flyers looking for discounts and perks.
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A-List Status: Achieved by flying a certain number of qualifying one-way flights or earning a specific amount of tier-qualifying points in a calendar year. Benefits include priority boarding, a 25% earning bonus on points, and free same-day standby. While not a direct discount on the ticket price, these perks can save you money on things like early bird check-in or baggage fees if you don't already have free bags.
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Companion Pass: This legendary perk allows a designated companion to fly with you for free (just pay taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight you purchase (paid with cash or points) for an entire calendar year, plus the remainder of the year in which you earn it. This is arguably the most valuable travel perk in the industry if you fly with a companion frequently. You can earn it by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year (often achievable through credit card sign-up bonuses).
Step 4: Explore Specific Discount Categories
Southwest, like many airlines, offers special fares for certain groups, though these are often not advertised prominently online.
Sub-heading: Military and Government Discounts
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For Active Duty and Dependents: Southwest offers discounted fares for active-duty military personnel and their dependents. These fares are not typically available online. You'll need to call Southwest's reservations line or inquire at a ticket counter to book these.
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Baggage Benefits: Active-duty military members often receive exemptions from Southwest's standard two-piece baggage limit and excess, oversize, or overweight baggage charges (within certain limits). Always carry your valid military ID.
Sub-heading: Senior Discounts
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Southwest Airlines offers discounts for passengers aged 65 and older. Similar to military discounts, these may not be visible online and often require a call to their reservation team. Be sure to ask about senior fares when booking.
Tip: Read at your natural pace.
Sub-heading: Group Travel
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If you're traveling with a party of 10 or more, Southwest offers "Group Travel Services." While not always a direct percentage discount, they can offer more flexible booking options and potentially better rates than individual bookings, especially for large groups. Contact their Group Travel Services directly.
Sub-heading: Corporate Discounts
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If your company has a corporate travel agreement with Southwest, you may be eligible for negotiated discounts and special perks. Check with your company's travel department or Southwest Business for details.
Step 5: Don't Overlook These Smart Savings Tactics
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Beyond official discounts, there are several practical ways to keep your Southwest flight costs down.
Sub-heading: Utilize Southwest's Generous Baggage Policy
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Southwest is famous for allowing two free checked bags per passenger. This is a significant saving compared to other airlines that charge for every checked bag. Pack wisely and take advantage of this! If you can manage with just a carry-on, even better, but knowing you have the option for two free checked bags can influence your packing choices.
Sub-heading: Be Flexible with Airports
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Sometimes, flying into or out of a nearby, slightly smaller airport can result in lower fares. Compare prices from alternative airports within a reasonable driving distance of your origin and destination.
Sub-heading: Consider Southwest Vacations Packages
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Southwest Vacations allows you to bundle flights with hotels and/or rental cars. Often, these packages can offer significant savings compared to booking each component separately. Look for special promotions on their vacation packages.
Sub-heading: Use Unused Travel Funds or LUV Vouchers
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Did you cancel a previous Southwest flight? You likely have "Southwest Travel Funds" or "Flight Credits." Did you get bumped from a flight or experience a significant delay? You might have received a "LUV Voucher." These can be applied towards future travel.
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Check expiration dates: Travel funds and LUV Vouchers typically have expiration dates. Make sure to use them before they expire.
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Know the difference: Flight credits from a "Basic" fare may expire sooner (e.g., 6 months) and be non-transferable, while "Wanna Get Away Plus" credits may be transferable and have a longer validity (e.g., 12 months). LUV Vouchers also have their own expiration terms.
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Step 6: Know When to Call Southwest Directly
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
While Southwest's website is excellent for booking, some discounts and specific scenarios are best handled by speaking with a live agent.
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Military, Senior, and other special fares: As mentioned, these are often not available for online booking.
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Applying certain promo codes or LUV Vouchers: Sometimes, an agent can help you ensure the correct application of a specific discount or voucher.
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Complex booking scenarios: If you have a unique travel itinerary or need to combine multiple payment methods, a phone agent can be invaluable.
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Questions about Rapid Rewards redemption: If you're unsure how to best redeem your points, an agent can guide you.
Remember: Always be polite and clear about your needs when speaking with a customer service representative. Their goal is to help you!
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
How to find Southwest's weekly fare sales?
You can find Southwest's weekly fare sales by subscribing to their email newsletter, following their social media accounts, and regularly checking the "Deals" section on their official website. Sales often launch on Tuesdays.
How to use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar?
To use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar, visit their website, select your origin and destination, and then click on the "Low Fare Calendar" option. It will display the cheapest fares across an entire month, allowing you to choose the most budget-friendly travel dates.
How to earn Rapid Rewards points quickly?
You can earn Rapid Rewards points quickly by signing up for a Southwest co-branded credit card (often with large sign-up bonuses), flying Southwest frequently, and utilizing their Rapid Rewards Shopping and Dining programs for everyday purchases.
How to redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a discount?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest website or app, search for flights using the "Points" option, and the fares will display in points. The number of points required is tied to the cash price, so cheaper flights require fewer points.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
How to get a military discount on Southwest Airlines?
To get a military discount on Southwest Airlines, you must call Southwest's customer service or visit a ticket counter, as these special fares are not typically available online. You will need a valid military ID.
How to get a senior discount on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines offers discounted fares for seniors aged 65 and older. To access these, you usually need to call their reservation team directly, as they may not be displayed online.
How to save money on baggage fees with Southwest?
Southwest Airlines inherently saves you money on baggage fees by allowing two free checked bags per passenger, unlike many other airlines that charge for each checked bag. Utilize this policy to avoid extra costs.
How to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
To qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. Credit card sign-up bonuses are a popular way to accumulate points quickly for this.
How to use a Southwest LUV Voucher or Flight Credit?
When booking a flight on Southwest.com, proceed to the "Payment method" section. There, you'll find options to "Apply Gift Cards," "Apply LUV Vouchers," or "Apply Flight Credits" where you can enter the relevant details to use your funds.
How to find corporate discounts for Southwest Airlines?
To find corporate discounts, check with your company's travel department to see if they have an existing agreement with Southwest Airlines. Alternatively, businesses can contact Southwest Business to explore setting up a corporate account and negotiated rates.
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