Mastering Your Miles: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Points on Southwest Airlines!
Hey there, savvy traveler! Are you sitting on a pile of Southwest Rapid Rewards points and wondering how to turn them into your next epic adventure? You've come to the right place! Using your points effectively on Southwest Airlines can unlock incredible travel opportunities, from quick getaways to dream vacations. Forget the frustration of complicated reward programs – Southwest makes it refreshingly straightforward. So, buckle up, because we're about to dive deep into how to maximize your Rapid Rewards!
 |
| How Do You Use Points On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Engage Your Inner Explorer – Check Your Points Balance & Understand Their Value!
Before you can jet off, you need to know what you're working with!
Sub-heading: Locating Your Rapid Rewards Points
-
Online Access is Key: The easiest way to check your balance is by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on the official Southwest.com website or via their mobile app. Your points total will typically be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
-
Keep an Eye on Statements: If you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, your monthly statements will also show your accumulated points.
-
No Expiration! (with activity): One of the best perks of Southwest Rapid Rewards is that your points do not expire as long as you have qualifying activity on your account at least once every 24 months. This could be a flight, a purchase on your co-branded credit card, or even shopping through their Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Value of Your Points
Unlike some other airline programs that use fixed award charts, Southwest's point value is tied to the cash price of the ticket. This means:
-
Dynamic Pricing: The number of points required for a flight generally fluctuates with the cash price. When fares go on sale, so do the points needed for a reward flight!
-
Approximate Value: While it varies, you can generally expect your Southwest Rapid Rewards points to be worth around 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point. This is a solid redemption rate compared to many other airline loyalty programs.
-
"Wanna Get Away" Sweet Spot: You'll typically get the most value for your points when redeeming them for "Wanna Get Away" fares, which are Southwest's most economical options. Business Select and Anytime fares will require more points per dollar spent.
-
Cash + Points Option: Southwest also offers a "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to combine points with cash if you don't have enough points to cover the entire flight. This can be a flexible way to use your points, though remember that you'll only earn points on the cash portion of the fare.
Step 2: Chart Your Course – Searching for Reward Flights
Now for the exciting part – finding a flight!
Sub-heading: The Online Search Experience
Tip: Reading on mobile? Zoom in for better comfort.
-
Log In First: Always log in to your Rapid Rewards account before you start searching for flights. This ensures that the prices displayed are in points (or give you the option to view them that way).
-
Select "Points" Instead of "Dollars": When you begin your flight search on Southwest.com or the app, you'll see an option to choose between "Dollars" or "Points." Make sure to select "Points."
-
Enter Your Travel Details: Input your origin and destination, desired travel dates, and the number of passengers, just as you would for a cash booking.
-
Flexibility is Your Friend: Southwest's pricing is dynamic, so if your travel dates are flexible, you can often find better deals. Use the calendar view to see how point prices change across different days. Early booking and off-peak travel often yield the best point redemptions.
Sub-heading: Understanding Fare Types in Points
Just like with cash fares, Southwest offers different fare types when using points:
-
Wanna Get Away: These are typically the lowest point options and are great for budget-conscious travelers. They offer fewer benefits than other fare types.
-
Wanna Get Away Plus: A step up from "Wanna Get Away," offering more flexibility like transferable flight credit and same-day confirmed changes.
-
Anytime: These fares are more flexible, offering refundable options and early check-in benefits. They will require more points.
-
Business Select: The most premium option, offering priority boarding (A1-A15), complimentary premium drinks, and the highest point earning rate when purchased with cash. Naturally, these will be the most expensive in terms of points.
Step 3: Secure Your Seat – Booking Your Flight with Points
Once you've found your ideal flight, the booking process is a breeze.
Sub-heading: Reviewing and Confirming Your Itinerary
-
Select Your Desired Flight: Click on the flight option that best suits your needs and point budget.
-
Review Details Carefully: Before proceeding, double-check all the flight details: dates, times, airports, and the total number of points required.
-
Taxes and Fees: Even when paying with points, you will still be responsible for paying government-imposed taxes and fees. These are typically quite small for domestic flights (e.g., $5.60 per one-way flight segment in the U.S.). For international flights, these taxes and fees can be higher. You will pay these with a credit card.
Sub-heading: Completing the Redemption
-
Passenger Information: Enter the names and details of all passengers.
-
Payment for Taxes/Fees: Provide your credit card information to cover the applicable taxes and fees.
-
Confirm and Celebrate! Once you've confirmed all the details and made the payment for taxes/fees, your booking will be complete! You'll receive a confirmation email with your itinerary. Congratulations, you've just booked a flight with points!
Step 4: Beyond Flights – Other Ways to Redeem Rapid Rewards Points
While flights offer the best value, Southwest points aren't just for airfare.
Sub-heading: Exploring "More Rewards" Options
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
Southwest's "More Rewards" portal allows you to redeem points for:
-
Merchandise: From electronics to home goods, you can use your points to shop for a variety of items. Be aware that the value per point for merchandise is often significantly lower than for flights.
-
Gift Cards: Redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers and restaurants. Again, the value per point here is typically lower than for flights.
-
Hotel Stays: You can book hotel stays through the Rapid Rewards portal. While convenient, comparing prices with cash bookings is crucial as the point value can vary greatly.
-
Car Rentals: Redeem points for car rentals.
-
Experiences: For Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers, there might be exclusive "Rapid Rewards Access Events" such as wine tastings or destination getaways.
Sub-heading: Pay Yourself Back (Credit Cardmembers Only)
If you're a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you might have the option to "Pay Yourself Back" by redeeming points for a statement credit against eligible purchases. This can offer a fixed value for your points and is a good option if you prefer cash back over travel.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Rapid Rewards – Pro Tips!
Get the absolute most out of your points with these insider strategies.
Sub-heading: The Power of the Companion Pass
-
Southwest's Crown Jewel: The Southwest Companion Pass is arguably the most valuable perk in domestic travel. Once earned, it allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (just pay taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight you take, whether you pay with cash or points!
-
How to Earn It: You earn the Companion Pass by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards qualifying points in a calendar year. This often involves strategic use of Southwest co-branded credit card welcome bonuses. This is a game-changer for couples or families.
Sub-heading: Flexibility is Golden
-
No Change Fees: Southwest is renowned for its customer-friendly policies, including no change fees (though fare differences may apply). If you book a flight with points and the point price drops, you can rebook your flight at the lower point price and the difference will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account! This is a fantastic way to save points.
-
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel a flight booked with points, the points will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account immediately. The taxes and fees paid will be refunded to your original payment method.
Sub-heading: Earning More Points
-
Southwest Credit Cards: These are by far the fastest way to accumulate a significant number of Rapid Rewards points, especially through their generous sign-up bonuses.
-
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Earn bonus points by shopping online through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
-
Dining Program: Link your credit cards to the Rapid Rewards Dining program and earn points when you dine at participating restaurants.
-
Hotel & Car Rental Partners: Earn points when booking stays with Southwest's hotel partners or renting cars through their preferred agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Use Points on Southwest Airlines
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
Here are 10 common questions with quick answers to help you navigate your Rapid Rewards journey:
How to check my Southwest Rapid Rewards points balance?
You can easily check your points balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or through their mobile app. Your balance will be displayed on your account dashboard.
How to book a flight on Southwest using points?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, select "Points" as your payment option when searching for flights, choose your desired itinerary, and then complete the booking by paying any applicable taxes and fees with a credit card.
How to find the best value for my Southwest points?
The best value is typically found when redeeming points for "Wanna Get Away" fares, especially during fare sales or for flights booked further in advance. Flexibility with your travel dates can also help you find lower point prices.
How to use Southwest points for something other than flights?
You can redeem your Rapid Rewards points for merchandise, gift cards, hotel stays, and car rentals through the "More Rewards" portal on Southwest.com. However, the value per point for these redemptions is generally lower than for flights.
How to combine points and cash for a Southwest flight?
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Southwest offers a "Cash + Points" option when booking flights, allowing you to use a combination of your Rapid Rewards points and a cash payment to cover the fare.
How to ensure my Southwest points don't expire?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as you have qualifying earning or redemption activity on your account at least once every 24 months.
How to change or cancel a Southwest flight booked with points?
You can change or cancel a flight booked with points through your Rapid Rewards account online or via the app. Southwest has no change fees (fare differences may apply) and cancelled points are redeposited into your account.
How to add a Companion Pass to a flight booked with points?
First, book your own flight using points. Then, go back into your Rapid Rewards account or the reservation details, and there will be an option to add your designated Companion Pass holder to your itinerary for just the cost of taxes and fees.
How to earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points quickly?
The fastest way to earn a large number of Rapid Rewards points is by applying for and earning the welcome bonus on a Southwest Rapid Rewards co-branded credit card. Other ways include using the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal and Dining program.
How to transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member?
You can gift or transfer your Rapid Rewards points to another member through the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section of your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, though fees may apply for transfers.
 |
