Do you know what's better than flying Southwest Airlines? Flying Southwest Airlines with a complimentary drink in hand! Whether it's a refreshing soda, a cup of coffee, or a well-deserved adult beverage, getting a free drink ticket can truly elevate your travel experience. But how exactly do you snag these coveted coupons? It's not always as straightforward as you might think.
This lengthy guide will walk you through every possible way to get your hands on Southwest Airlines drink tickets, with step-by-step instructions and insider tips. Get ready to toast to smart travel!
Your Guide to Scoring Southwest Airlines Drink Tickets
Let's dive into the various methods for getting those elusive drink tickets.
Step 1: Are You a Rapid Rewards Member? (If Not, Join Now!)
This is truly the most fundamental step. Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, is the gateway to many of their perks, including drink tickets.
Sub-heading: Why Rapid Rewards Matters
Earning Potential: Many methods of getting drink tickets are directly tied to your Rapid Rewards activity.
Tracking Benefits: Your Rapid Rewards account will often be the place where your digital drink coupons are stored and accessible.
Exclusive Offers: Members sometimes receive special promotions or opportunities that non-members don't.
Sub-heading: How to Join Rapid Rewards
Visit the Southwest Website: Go to Southwest.com and look for the "Rapid Rewards" section.
Click "Enroll": You'll be prompted to fill out a simple form with your personal details.
Confirm Your Account: Follow any instructions to confirm your email address and activate your account.
Important: Make sure your settings are opted in to receive communications and drink coupons if available. You can usually find this in your profile settings under "Travel" or "Preferences."
Step 2: Flying the Right Fare Class
Southwest offers different fare types, and some of them automatically include a complimentary premium drink. This is one of the most guaranteed ways to get a drink ticket.
Sub-heading: Business Select: The Premium Choice
If you're looking for a guaranteed drink and other perks, Business Select fares are your best bet.
Book a Business Select Fare: When searching for flights on Southwest.com, choose the "Business Select" option. This is typically the highest fare class.
Enjoy the Perks: Beyond a complimentary premium drink on flights over 250 miles, Business Select also offers:
Guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position.
Free inflight Wi-Fi.
More Rapid Rewards points earned per dollar.
What to Expect: Your drink coupon will often be displayed directly on your mobile boarding pass within the Southwest app or in your mobile wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet). Simply show this to the flight attendant when you order your drink.
Sub-heading: Anytime and Wanna Get Away Plus (Check the Fine Print!)
While Business Select is a clear winner, Southwest's other fare types, like Anytime and the newer Wanna Get Away Plus, might also offer some drink benefits, though they are less consistent or tied to other statuses. Always double-check the specific fare rules at the time of booking as these can change.
Step 3: Achieving Elite Status with Rapid Rewards
Being a loyal Southwest flyer can pay off in more ways than just free flights. Elite status holders often receive complimentary drink coupons.
Sub-heading: A-List Preferred: The Drink Ticket King
If you travel frequently with Southwest, aiming for A-List Preferred status is a fantastic strategy for consistent drink tickets.
Qualify for A-List Preferred: To achieve this status, you need to either:
Fly 50 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year, OR
Earn 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.
Enjoy Your Perks: A-List Preferred members typically receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg on flights of 251 miles or more.
How You'll Receive Them: These drink coupons are often digitally linked to your A-List Preferred status and will appear on your mobile boarding pass.
Sub-heading: A-List Status: Sometimes, but Not Always
While A-List status (20 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points) offers many great benefits like priority boarding and free checked bags, it generally does not automatically include complimentary drink coupons. However, keep an eye out for special promotions or unexpected surprises!
Step 4: Leveraging Southwest Credit Cards
Many of Southwest's co-branded credit cards come with various perks, and sometimes these can include drink vouchers or opportunities to earn them.
Sub-heading: Credit Card Benefits: Read the Fine Print!
Research Southwest Credit Cards: Explore the different Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offered by Chase (e.g., Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier, Priority).
Check for Drink Ticket Perks: While not all cards offer drink tickets directly, some may include them as a sign-up bonus, an anniversary perk, or as part of spending thresholds. Benefits can change, so always verify the current offerings when applying.
Utilize Anniversary Points: Some cards offer anniversary points, which can be used to book flights, effectively freeing up your travel budget for other things, like purchasing a drink if all else fails!
Step 5: The "Luck of the Draw" and Special Occasions
Sometimes, getting a free drink ticket is simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time, or engaging with the crew.
Sub-heading: Holidays and Celebrations: A Sweet Surprise
Southwest is known for its fun and friendly cabin crew. On certain holidays (like St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, or even sometimes during major sporting events), they might offer complimentary drinks to all passengers on select flights.
Tip: While this isn't a guaranteed method, it's a delightful bonus if you happen to be flying on such a day.
Sub-heading: Exceptional Customer Service and Delays
If your flight experiences a significant delay or other inconvenience, a gracious flight attendant or gate agent might offer drink coupons as a gesture of goodwill.
Be Polite and Understanding: Remember, flight attendants are there to help, but they also have a demanding job. A friendly and patient attitude can go a long way. Never demand a drink ticket; rather, express your understanding of the situation.
Sub-heading: Celebrating a Special Occasion Onboard
Are you flying on your birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon? While not guaranteed, politely mentioning it to a flight attendant might sometimes result in a celebratory drink. They love making a flight special for passengers!
Step 6: Understanding How to Use Digital Drink Coupons
Southwest has largely moved to digital drink coupons, making them convenient to use.
Sub-heading: Accessing Your Digital Coupons
Southwest App: Open the Southwest Airlines app on your smartphone.
View Boarding Details: Navigate to your current flight details.
Locate Coupons: Your digital drink coupons, if you have them, will typically be displayed directly below the QR code on your mobile boarding pass.
Important: Ensure your phone is charged! You'll need to show your screen to the flight attendant when you order.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Your Drink
Order Your Beverage: When the beverage service begins, tell the flight attendant what you'd like.
Show Your Phone: Present your phone with the digital drink coupon displayed.
Scanning the QR Code: The flight attendant will usually use their tablet to scan the QR code on your screen, which redeems the coupon.
10 Related FAQ Questions: How to Get Your Drink On!
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Southwest Airlines drink tickets:
How to check if I have Southwest drink tickets?
You can usually check for digital drink tickets by opening your Southwest Airlines app, going to your current flight's boarding pass, and looking directly below the QR code.
How to use a Southwest drink ticket on board?
Simply show your mobile boarding pass with the digital drink coupon displayed to the flight attendant when you order your premium beverage. They will scan the QR code on your phone to redeem it.
How to get drink tickets if I'm not A-List Preferred?
You can get drink tickets by booking a Business Select fare, having certain Southwest credit cards (check their benefits), or sometimes through special holiday promotions or as a goodwill gesture for flight delays.
How to qualify for A-List Preferred status to get drink tickets?
To qualify for A-List Preferred, you need to fly 50 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points within a calendar year.
How to know which flights offer complimentary premium drinks with a ticket?
Complimentary premium drinks with a drink ticket are generally offered on flights over 250 miles. Shorter flights typically only offer complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.
How to ensure my Rapid Rewards account is set up for drink coupons?
Log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to your profile settings (often under "Travel" or "Preferences"), and ensure you have opted in to receive drink coupons.
How to transfer a Southwest drink ticket to someone else?
Southwest drink tickets are generally non-transferable and are linked to the passenger's boarding pass or Rapid Rewards account. They cannot be sold, brokered, or bartered.
How to get a physical Southwest drink ticket anymore?
Southwest has largely transitioned to digital drink coupons. Physical coupons are rarely issued anymore, so rely on your mobile boarding pass.
How to get a free non-alcoholic drink on Southwest without a ticket?
All Southwest flights typically offer complimentary non-alcoholic beverages like soda, juice, coffee, and tea, regardless of fare class or elite status.
How to get a drink ticket if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
While not guaranteed, if your flight experiences a significant delay or cancellation, politely inquire with a flight attendant or gate agent if they can offer any complimentary drink coupons as a gesture of apology.