Unlocking Your Adventures: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Southwest Airlines Points
Hey there, fellow traveler! Are you sitting on a pile of Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points and wondering how to best transform them into your next unforgettable journey? If so, you've come to the right place! Get ready to dive deep into the world of Southwest points and discover how to maximize their value, whether you're dreaming of a quick getaway or a grand adventure. Let's turn those points into priceless memories!
Step 1: Confirm Your Rapid Rewards Status and Point Balance
Before we embark on this exciting redemption journey, the very first thing you need to do is know your starting point!
Sub-heading: Logging In and Checking Your Balance
Visit the Southwest Airlines Website: Head over to Southwest.com. You'll see a "Log In" button, usually in the top right corner. Click it!
Enter Your Credentials: Input your Rapid Rewards username and password. If you haven't created an account yet, or can't remember your details, take a moment to enroll or use the "Forgot Username/Password" link. It's quick and easy, and you won't be able to utilize your points without a valid account.
Locate Your Points: Once logged in, your current Rapid Rewards point balance will typically be prominently displayed on your dashboard. Take note of this number – it's your ticket to exploration!
Sub-heading: Understanding Point Expiration (or Lack Thereof!)
One of the best perks of Southwest Rapid Rewards is that your points generally do not expire as long as you have activity on your account at least once every 24 months. This means less stress about rushing to use them and more flexibility in your travel planning. However, if you close your account, your points will be forfeited.
Step 2: Redeeming Points for Flights – The Golden Ticket!
This is, by far, the most popular and often most valuable way to use your Southwest points. Southwest's unique redemption model means the number of points needed for a flight is directly tied to the cash price of the fare. When fares go on sale, so do the points!
Sub-heading: The Standard Flight Booking Process
Log In First (Crucial!): As in Step 1, make sure you're logged into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Initiate Your Flight Search: On the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget. This is where the magic begins!
Enter your desired origin and destination.
Select your departure and return dates (or choose one-way).
Input the number of passengers.
Toggle to "Points" View: This is a key step! Below the passenger count, you'll usually see an option to view fares in "Dollars" or "Points." Select "Points."
Browse Flight Availability and Fares: Click "Search." The results page will now display the point cost for various flights and fare types (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select). Wanna Get Away fares typically offer the best point value.
Select Your Flight(s): Choose the flight(s) that best fit your schedule and point budget.
Review and Confirm: You'll be directed to a review page showing your selected flights, total points required, and the small government taxes and fees (typically $5.60 per one-way flight for domestic travel).
Complete the Booking: Input your traveler information and complete the purchase. The taxes and fees can be paid with a credit card, PayPal, or a Southwest LUV Voucher.
Sub-heading: Exploring "Cash + Points" Redemption
Southwest recently introduced a flexible new option called Cash + Points. This is fantastic if you don't have enough points for a full reward flight, or if you simply want to conserve some points.
Start a Cash Fare Search: Unlike a full points redemption, you'll initially search for flights by selecting "Dollars" in the search widget.
Proceed to Checkout: Go through the booking process as if you were paying entirely with cash.
Select "Cash + Points" at Payment: On the payment page, you'll be presented with the "Cash + Points" option. Southwest will offer various combinations of points and cash to pay for your flight.
Choose Your Option and Complete: Select the combination that works best for you, apply the points, and pay the remaining cash balance. Note: Points are earned only on the cash portion of the base fare with Cash + Points bookings for flights completed after January 1, 2025.
Sub-heading: The Power of the Companion Pass
If you're a super-frequent Southwest flyer, earning the Companion Pass is a game-changer! This highly coveted perk allows you to designate one person to fly with you for virtually free (you just pay the taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way) on unlimited Southwest flights, whether you paid with cash or points.
How to Earn It: You need to either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. Southwest credit card welcome bonuses and spending are excellent ways to accumulate these points.
How to Use It:
Book Your Flight First: You must book your own Southwest flight (with points or cash) before adding your companion.
Add Your Companion: After your flight is confirmed, go to the "My Trips" section of your Rapid Rewards account. Find your upcoming trip and click the "Add Companion" link.
Confirm and Pay Fees: Enter your companion's information and pay the applicable taxes and fees. You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Step 3: Beyond Flights: Other Redemption Options
While flights offer the best value, Southwest points aren't just for airfare. They offer other ways to redeem, though often at a lower value.
Sub-heading: "More Rewards" Portal (Primarily for Credit Cardmembers)
If you're a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you gain access to the "More Rewards" platform. This portal allows you to redeem points for a variety of non-flight options.
Merchandise: Shop for electronics, home goods, apparel, and more. Be aware that the point value here is typically quite low.
Gift Cards: Redeem points for gift cards to popular retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Again, the value per point is generally not as good as flight redemptions.
Hotel Stays: Book hotel nights through the portal. While convenient, you'll often find better value booking hotels directly or through other loyalty programs.
Experiences: Discover unique experiences like cruises, spa packages, and adventure tours.
Sub-heading: "Pay Yourself Back" (for Southwest Credit Cardmembers)
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers have the option to "Pay Yourself Back" by redeeming points for a statement credit against eligible purchases made within the last 90 days. This can be a flexible way to offset everyday spending, though the redemption rate is usually fixed and less than flight value.
Access via Chase: Log in to your Chase.com account and navigate to your rewards dashboard.
Select Qualifying Purchases: Choose eligible transactions that have posted to your account within the 90-day window.
Redeem Points: Apply your Rapid Rewards points for a statement credit.
Step 4: Strategizing Your Point Usage
To truly get the most bang for your Rapid Rewards buck, consider these strategies:
Sub-heading: Flexibility is Your Friend
Travel Off-Peak: Just like with cash fares, flights during off-peak seasons or on less popular travel days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays) often require fewer points.
Be Open to Destinations: If you're flexible with your destination, use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar to find the best point deals to various cities.
Book in Advance (Sometimes!): While Southwest's point values correlate to cash prices, booking further out can often yield lower cash prices, and therefore, lower point prices. However, keep an eye out for flash sales too!
Sub-heading: Maximize Earning to Maximize Redemption
The more points you earn, the more you can redeem!
Fly Southwest: This is the most direct way to earn points. Different fare types earn points at different rates (Business Select earns more than Wanna Get Away).
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: These cards offer significant welcome bonuses and ongoing earning on everyday spending. Many come with anniversary points and other travel perks.
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Earn points by shopping online at hundreds of popular retailers through the Southwest shopping portal.
Rapid Rewards Dining: Link your credit cards and earn points by dining at participating restaurants.
Hotel & Car Rental Partners: Earn points when you book hotel stays or car rentals with Southwest's partners.
Step 5: Understanding Point Value and When to Redeem
Not all point redemptions are created equal. It's important to understand the approximate value of your points to make informed decisions.
Sub-heading: Calculating Point Value (Roughly)
On average, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth approximately 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for "Wanna Get Away" flights. You can calculate this yourself:
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Cents per Point
For example, if a flight costs $150 or 10,000 points: (
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$$=$$$$0.015$$or
Sub-heading: When to Avoid Point Redemption (Generally)
High Cash Fares with Low Point Value: If the cash price of a flight is unusually high, the point cost will also be high. Sometimes, it might be better to pay cash if the point value is significantly below the typical 1.3-1.5 cents.
Non-Flight Redemptions: As mentioned, merchandise and gift card redemptions often yield a much lower value per point. Unless you have an abundance of points and no immediate travel plans, it's generally best to save them for flights.
Paying for Taxes/Fees with Points (if option exists): While Southwest generally only charges small cash fees for award tickets, if an option ever arose to pay these with points, it would likely be a poor value.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards point balance?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, and your point balance will be displayed on your account dashboard.
How to book a flight using Southwest Airlines points?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, enter your flight details, and select the "Points" option before searching for fares.
How to use Southwest points for a partial payment?
When booking a flight, start by searching for cash fares. At the payment screen, you may see the "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to combine points and cash.
How to add a companion to a flight booked with Southwest points?
First, book your own flight (with points or cash). Then, log into your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," find your flight, and use the "Add Companion" link.
How to earn more Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points?
Earn points by flying Southwest, using a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, dining with Rapid Rewards Dining, and utilizing hotel and car rental partners.
How to transfer Southwest Airlines points to another person?
You can gift or transfer points to another Rapid Rewards Member through the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section on the Southwest Airlines website. Fees may apply.
How to use Southwest points for hotel stays?
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers can redeem points for hotel stays through the "More Rewards" portal accessible via their account.
How to know the value of my Southwest Airlines points?
The value of Southwest points for flights is dynamic and correlates to the cash fare. You can roughly calculate it by dividing the cash price by the points required for a flight.
How to get the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass?
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year.
How to use Southwest points for gift cards or merchandise?
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers can redeem points for gift cards and merchandise through the "More Rewards" portal on the Southwest Airlines website.
