You've accumulated a fantastic stash of American Express Membership Rewards points, and now you're eyeing a trip with Southwest Airlines. Excellent choice! Southwest is renowned for its no-change-fee policy, two free checked bags, and open seating, making it a favorite for many travelers. However, if you've tried to directly transfer your Amex points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, you might have hit a roadblock.
The truth is, you cannot directly transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards. This is a crucial point to understand from the outset. Southwest Rapid Rewards is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, not American Express Membership Rewards.
But don't despair! While a direct transfer isn't possible, there are indirect strategies you can employ to leverage your Amex points for Southwest flights. This lengthy guide will walk you through the options, step-by-step, to help you get on that Southwest flight using your valuable Amex points.
Unlocking Southwest Flights with Your Amex Points: An Indirect Approach
Since a direct transfer isn't an option, we'll focus on methods that allow you to use your Amex points to cover the cost of Southwest flights, albeit through different avenues. The primary methods involve using your Amex points for statement credits or booking through the Amex Travel portal.
Step 1: Understand the Landscape – Why No Direct Transfer?
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly address the "why." This isn't to discourage you, but to help you understand the landscape of points and miles.
Partnerships Matter: Credit card loyalty programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards have specific agreements with airline and hotel loyalty programs. Southwest Airlines has a strong partnership with Chase, which is why Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred directly to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
No Amex-Southwest Alliance: American Express, while having a vast network of airline partners (like Delta, British Airways, Emirates, etc.), simply does not have a direct transfer agreement with Southwest.
Don't let this be a roadblock! We'll explore the best alternatives to make your Amex points work for your Southwest travel desires.
Step 2: Explore Your Options – How to Indirectly Use Amex Points for Southwest
Now that we know direct transfers are out, let's look at the viable paths.
Sub-heading: Option A: Redeeming Amex Points for Statement Credits
This is often the most straightforward, albeit sometimes less valuable, way to use your Amex points to offset Southwest flight costs.
Step 2.1: Log in to Your American Express Account
Head to the American Express website and log in to your Membership Rewards account. You'll need your card details handy.
Once logged in, navigate to the "Membership Rewards" section. This is usually found under a "Rewards" or "Benefits" tab.
Step 2.2: Find the "Redeem Points" Section
Within the Membership Rewards portal, look for options like "Redeem Points," "Explore Rewards," or similar.
You're looking for ways to convert your points into statement credits.
Step 2.3: Select Statement Credit Redemption
Locate the option to redeem points for a statement credit. The redemption rate for statement credits can vary depending on your specific Amex card, but generally, it's around 0.6 cents per point (1,000 points = $6 statement credit).
Be aware of the value: This isn't the highest value redemption for Amex points (transferring to airline partners often yields 1 cent per point or more), but it offers maximum flexibility to pay for any Southwest flight you book with your Amex card.
Step 2.4: Choose the Amount to Redeem
Enter the amount of points you wish to redeem for a statement credit. This credit will then appear on your Amex statement, effectively reducing your outstanding balance.
Purchase your Southwest flight with your Amex card first. Once the charge posts, you can then apply the statement credit to offset that charge.
Sub-heading: Option B: Booking Through Amex Travel Portal
While Amex Travel doesn't directly connect to Southwest Rapid Rewards, you can sometimes book Southwest flights through the Amex Travel portal, and then use your Amex points to pay for those flights.
Step 2.1: Access the Amex Travel Portal
From your American Express Membership Rewards account, look for a link to "Amex Travel" or "Book Travel."
This will take you to American Express's own travel booking platform.
Step 2.2: Search for Southwest Flights
Enter your desired Southwest flight details (origin, destination, dates, number of passengers) into the flight search engine within the Amex Travel portal.
Important Note: Southwest Airlines generally does not list its fares on third-party online travel agencies. However, some users have reported that you might be able to book Southwest flights by calling Amex Travel directly. This is crucial: if you can't find Southwest flights online, try calling the Amex Travel customer service line.
Step 2.3: Pay with Points (if available)
If you successfully find and select a Southwest flight through Amex Travel (especially by phone), you will typically have the option to "Pay with Points."
The redemption value here is usually 1 cent per point for flights booked through Amex Travel. This is a much better value than statement credits.
Consider the Business Platinum Card: If you hold an American Express Business Platinum Card, you might be eligible for the 35% points rebate when booking flights (up to 1 million points back per calendar year for eligible flights). This significantly increases the value of your points when used for airfare.
Step 3: Weighing Your Options – Which Method is Best for You?
Deciding between statement credits and the Amex Travel portal depends on your priorities and which Amex card you hold.
For Maximum Flexibility (Statement Credit): If you simply want to use your points to reduce your credit card bill after booking a Southwest flight directly on Southwest.com (which is often recommended for the best fares and policies), the statement credit option is your go-to. Just be prepared for the lower point value.
For Potentially Higher Value (Amex Travel Portal): If you can find your desired Southwest flight on the Amex Travel portal (even if it requires a phone call), and especially if you have an Amex Business Platinum Card, this method offers a better redemption value. The challenge is that Southwest flights are not consistently available through Amex Travel's online platform.
Step 4: The Strategic Approach – Maximizing Value (Alternative Scenario)
While not directly transferring to Southwest, if your ultimate goal is to fly Southwest, consider this broader strategy for future points earning:
Focus on Chase Ultimate Rewards: If Southwest travel is a frequent goal, diversifying your points strategy to include Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve) is highly recommended. These points can be directly transferred to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
Utilize Travel Portals for Other Airlines: If you have Amex points and want to fly Southwest, but can't find a good Amex Travel portal booking, consider using your Amex points to book flights on other airlines via the Amex Travel portal or by transferring to an Amex airline partner. This frees up your cash to purchase Southwest flights directly. It's a roundabout way, but effective if you want to use your Amex points for travel generally.
Essential Considerations and Tips
Check for Transfer Bonuses (for other partners): While not for Southwest, Amex occasionally offers transfer bonuses to its other airline and hotel partners. If you're flexible with your travel plans, these bonuses can provide exceptional value. Always check the Amex Membership Rewards site for current promotions.
Excise Tax Offset Fee: When transferring Membership Rewards points to U.S. airline frequent flyer programs (like Delta, JetBlue, Hawaiian), American Express charges an excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point, capped at $99. This fee does not apply to transfers to international airline partners or to statement credit redemptions. This is another reason why a direct Amex-Southwest transfer is unlikely to exist, as it would likely incur this fee.
Points Value Fluctuation: The value of points can change. Always compare the cost of a flight in cash versus the points required to book it (either directly or indirectly) to determine if you're getting a good redemption value.
Booking Southwest Directly is Often Best: For the widest selection of flights, the best fares, and the most flexible policies (like same-day change options), it's generally recommended to book directly on Southwest.com. You can then use your Amex statement credits to offset the cost.
By understanding these strategies, you can effectively leverage your American Express Membership Rewards points to help fund your next adventure with Southwest Airlines!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to transfer Amex points to Southwest Airlines directly?
You cannot directly transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards. Southwest is not a direct transfer partner of American Express.
How to use Amex points for Southwest flights through statement credits?
You can redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points for statement credits on your Amex card. Then, use your Amex card to purchase Southwest flights directly on Southwest.com, and the statement credit will offset the charge. The typical redemption rate for statement credits is around 0.6 cents per point.
How to book Southwest flights using the Amex Travel portal?
While Southwest flights are generally not available for online booking through the Amex Travel portal, you may be able to book them by calling Amex Travel customer service. If successful, you can pay for these flights with your Amex points, usually at a value of 1 cent per point.
How to get the best value when using Amex points for Southwest travel?
If you have an Amex Business Platinum Card and can book Southwest flights through the Amex Travel portal (likely by phone), you could get a 35% points rebate, significantly increasing your redemption value. Otherwise, redeeming for statement credits is a convenient, though lower-value, option.
How to avoid excise tax fees when using Amex points for flights?
The excise tax offset fee only applies when transferring Amex points to U.S. airline frequent flyer programs. Since you cannot directly transfer Amex points to Southwest, this fee is not applicable in this specific scenario. It also doesn't apply to statement credits or transfers to international airline partners.
How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points directly with a credit card?
To earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points directly, consider applying for one of the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards co-branded credit cards or other Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning cards, as Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer directly to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.
How long does it take for Amex statement credits to post?
Once you redeem Amex Membership Rewards points for a statement credit, it typically takes 2-3 business days for the credit to appear on your account.
How to determine the value of my Amex points for Southwest flights?
Compare the cash cost of a Southwest flight with the number of Amex points required to cover that cost, whether through a statement credit or a booking via Amex Travel. For statement credits, divide the dollar amount of the flight by the number of points redeemed (e.g., $100 / 16,667 points = $0.006 per point).
How to leverage Amex points for future Southwest Companion Pass qualification?
Amex points do not directly count towards Southwest Companion Pass qualification. Companion Pass qualifying points are earned from Southwest revenue flights, points earned on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners.
How to combine different points for Southwest flights?
You cannot directly combine Amex points with Southwest Rapid Rewards points. However, you can use your Amex points for statement credits to offset the cash cost of a Southwest flight, and then use your existing Southwest Rapid Rewards points or other funds for a different part of your trip.
