Flying with Southwest Airlines is often about the friendly service, open seating, and of course, the potential for a complimentary drink! While Southwest offers free non-alcoholic beverages and snacks on most flights over 250 miles, securing those coveted drink coupons for alcoholic beverages requires a bit more strategy. This lengthy guide will walk you through every possible avenue to quench your thirst at 35,000 feet without opening your wallet for a premium drink.
Ready to Elevate Your In-Flight Experience? Let's Dive In!
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of obtaining Southwest Airlines drink coupons, let me ask you: Imagine sipping on your favorite adult beverage, complimentary, while cruising above the clouds. Sounds good, doesn't it? If you're nodding your head, then you're in the right place! Let's get started on how to make that a reality.
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| How Do I Get Southwest Airlines Drink Coupons |
Step 1: Understand What a Southwest Airlines Drink Coupon Is (and Isn't)
First things first, let's clarify what we're talking about. A Southwest Airlines drink coupon typically grants you one complimentary premium drink (alcoholic or certain non-alcoholic premium options) on select flights over 250 miles.
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Important Note: These coupons have no cash value and are void if altered, sold, purchased, brokered, or bartered. They are also non-exchangeable for other goods or services. Southwest reserves the right to discontinue its drink coupon program at any time.
Step 2: Leveraging Southwest's Elite Status (A-List Preferred)
One of the most reliable ways to consistently get drink coupons is by achieving Southwest Airlines' elite status.
Sub-heading: A-List Preferred Benefits
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A-List Preferred Members are currently entitled to up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg on select flights over 250 miles. This benefit is automatically tied to your A-List Preferred status and will typically be noted on your mobile boarding pass.
Sub-heading: How to Become an A-List Preferred Member
To reach A-List Preferred status, you generally need to achieve one of the following within a calendar year:
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Fly 50 qualifying one-way flights: This means 50 paid segments on Southwest Airlines.
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Earn 75,000 Rapid Rewards Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs): TQPs are earned from paid flights with Southwest. The earning rate varies by fare type. For example, Business Select fares typically earn more TQPs than Wanna Get Away fares.
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While this might seem like a lot of travel, for frequent flyers, it's a fantastic perk that comes with many other benefits beyond just drink coupons, such as priority boarding, a dedicated customer service line, and bonus Rapid Rewards points.
Step 3: Purchasing Business Select Fares
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
Another direct route to a complimentary drink is by booking a Business Select fare.
Sub-heading: Business Select Perks
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Business Select passengers receive one complimentary premium drink on select flights over 250 miles. Similar to A-List Preferred, this benefit is linked to your fare type and will be indicated on your boarding pass.
Sub-heading: Why Choose Business Select?
Beyond the drink coupon, Business Select offers several advantages that might make it worthwhile, especially for business travelers:
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Priority Boarding (A1-A15): Be among the first to board and choose your preferred seat.
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More Rapid Rewards Points: Business Select fares earn the highest number of Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent.
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Transferable Flight Credits: Flight credits from Business Select fares are generally transferable, offering greater flexibility.
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Free Inflight Wi-Fi (where available): Stay connected while you fly.
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Consider the overall value proposition when choosing a Business Select fare. If the other benefits align with your travel needs, the complimentary drink is a nice bonus.
Step 4: Leveraging Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
Certain Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit cards, issued by Chase, have historically offered drink coupons as a perk. While the specific benefits can change, this remains a significant avenue.
Sub-heading: Cardholder Benefits
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Historically, some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, have offered annual drink coupons. These are often digital and may appear in your Southwest Airlines mobile app or be mailed to you.
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It's crucial to check the specific benefits of your card when you receive it or on Chase's website, as these can vary and be updated.
Sub-heading: How to Get a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card
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Research the different Southwest credit cards: Chase offers several personal and business Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. Compare their annual fees, sign-up bonuses, earning rates, and most importantly, their recurring benefits, including drink coupons.
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Apply for the card: Once you've chosen the card that best suits your needs, apply online through Chase's website.
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Meet the spending requirements: Many cards offer bonus points or other perks after you meet a certain spending threshold within the first few months of account opening. While these usually don't directly relate to drink coupons, the coupons themselves are a recurring benefit after approval.
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Remember to always be a responsible credit card user. Consider the annual fee and whether the benefits, including drink coupons, outweigh the cost.
Step 5: Keep an Eye Out for Special Promotions and Gestures of Goodwill
While less common and not a guaranteed method, Southwest Airlines occasionally offers drink coupons through promotions or as a gesture of customer service.
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Sub-heading: Promotional Offers
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Email Promotions: Sign up for Southwest Airlines' email list and keep an eye on your inbox. Occasionally, they may send out promotional offers that include drink coupons as a thank you or to encourage booking.
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Rapid Rewards Promotions: While Rapid Rewards points generally can't be redeemed directly for drink coupons, sometimes specific Rapid Rewards promotions might include them as an added incentive.
Sub-heading: Customer Service and Goodwill
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Service Recovery: In rare instances, if you experience a significant delay, cancellation, or other service disruption, Southwest customer service representatives might offer drink coupons as a form of apology or compensation. This is not a reliable method, but it's worth being aware of.
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In-flight Surprises: Very occasionally, a flight attendant might offer a complimentary drink to a passenger as a random act of kindness. Again, this is highly infrequent and not something to count on.
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Step 6: Understanding and Using Your Drink Coupons
Once you have those precious drink coupons, knowing how to use them is key!
Sub-heading: Digital Coupons
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Southwest Mobile App: For A-List Preferred members and Business Select passengers, your drink coupon eligibility is typically integrated into your mobile boarding pass within the Southwest Airlines app.
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Show to Flight Attendant: Simply open your mobile boarding pass on your phone and show the designated drink coupon section (often a QR code or specific notation) to the flight attendant when you order your drink. They will usually scan it with their tablet.
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Pro Tip: Some users on online forums suggest taking a screenshot of your digital boarding pass with the drink coupon visible, just in case of Wi-Fi issues or if the boarding pass disappears from your app after takeoff (though Southwest has been working to address this).
Sub-heading: Physical Coupons (Less Common Now)
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In the past, some credit cards or promotions might have issued physical paper drink coupons.
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Present to Flight Attendant: If you have a physical coupon, simply hand it to the flight attendant when you order your drink.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations for Usage
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Flight Length: Remember, drink coupons are generally valid only on select flights over 250 miles. Flight attendants will confirm this.
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Age Restriction: You must be 21 years or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
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Onboard Consumption: Alcoholic beverages purchased or obtained with a coupon must be consumed onboard the aircraft.
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Availability: Drink coupon usage is subject to availability of the premium drinks onboard.
Step 7: Maximizing Your Chances
To increase your odds of enjoying a complimentary beverage:
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
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Fly Southwest Frequently: The more you fly, the higher your chances of achieving A-List Preferred status.
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Consider a Southwest Credit Card: If you're a loyal Southwest flyer, a co-branded credit card can offer recurring benefits, including drink coupons.
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Book Business Select When Appropriate: For specific trips where the added benefits of Business Select align with your needs, the complimentary drink is a direct perk.
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Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with Southwest's policies and promotions through their website and email newsletters.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, starting with 'How to', along with quick answers regarding Southwest Airlines drink coupons:
How to check if I have Southwest Airlines drink coupons?
You can usually check for digital drink coupons on your mobile boarding pass within the Southwest Airlines app if you are an A-List Preferred member or booked a Business Select fare. For credit card-issued coupons, they may appear in your Southwest account online or be mailed to you.
How to use a Southwest Airlines drink coupon on the flight?
Simply show the drink coupon portion of your mobile boarding pass (or a physical coupon if you have one) to the flight attendant when you order your premium drink. They will typically scan a QR code or note your eligibility.
How to get free drinks on Southwest if I don't have a coupon?
Southwest Airlines offers complimentary non-alcoholic beverages (soda, juice, coffee, tea, water) and snacks on most flights over 250 miles to all passengers, regardless of coupon status.
How to know if my flight is eligible for drink coupons?
Drink coupons are generally valid on "select flights over 250 miles." The flight attendant will confirm eligibility when you attempt to use your coupon.
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
How to get more than one drink with a Southwest Airlines drink coupon?
A standard drink coupon grants one complimentary premium drink. A-List Preferred members are eligible for up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg. You cannot typically get multiple drinks from a single "one drink" coupon.
How to ensure my digital drink coupon doesn't disappear from my app?
While Southwest has improved its app functionality, some travelers suggest taking a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass with the drink coupon visible before takeoff, in case of connectivity issues or the pass disappearing post-departure.
How to get drink coupons through the Rapid Rewards program?
While you cannot directly redeem Rapid Rewards points for drink coupons, earning A-List Preferred status through Rapid Rewards Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) is a way to earn complimentary drinks as a benefit of your elite status.
How to buy Southwest Airlines drink coupons?
Southwest Airlines explicitly states that drink coupons are void if sold, purchased, brokered, or bartered. They are not available for direct purchase.
How to get drink coupons if I have a Southwest credit card?
Check the specific benefits of your Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Historically, certain cards have offered annual drink coupons as a recurring perk.
How to get drink coupons without elite status or a special fare?
Without A-List Preferred status, a Business Select fare, or a specific credit card perk, obtaining Southwest Airlines drink coupons is less common. Keep an eye out for rare promotional offers from Southwest.
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