Are you ready to unlock the true potential of your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points and embark on incredible journeys, or perhaps even treat yourself to something special on the ground? Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is renowned for its straightforwardness, making it relatively easy to redeem your hard-earned points. Let's dive deep into how you can effectively use your points, step by step!
How Do I Use My Points on Southwest Airlines? Your Comprehensive Guide
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are incredibly versatile, primarily known for their use in booking flights, but they also offer a variety of other redemption options. Unlike some other loyalty programs, Southwest's points are tied to the cash value of the fare, meaning if the cash price of a ticket goes down, so does the number of points required. This dynamic pricing model offers consistent value.
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| How Do I Use My Points On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Logged In and Ready to Fly (or Shop)?
Before you can do anything with your points, you need to access your Rapid Rewards account.
Head to Southwest.com: Open your web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website: Southwest.com.
Log In: In the upper right corner of the homepage, you'll see a "Log In" option. Click on it and enter your Rapid Rewards account number or username, along with your password. If you don't have an account, or if you've forgotten your details, there are options to create one or retrieve your information. It's crucial to be logged in to see your points balance and access redemption options.
Step 2: Redeeming Points for Flights: Your Primary Power Play
This is the most common and often the most valuable way to use your Rapid Rewards points.
Sub-heading: Searching for Your Dream Destination
Initiate a Flight Search: Once logged in, on the Southwest homepage, you'll see the flight search widget. Input your desired departure and arrival cities, your travel dates, and the number of passengers.
Toggle to "Points": This is the key step. Look for a toggle or option, usually near the search button or within the search results, that allows you to view fares in "Points" instead of "Dollars." Click this to switch to point pricing.
Explore Flight Options: The search results will now display the cost of each flight in Rapid Rewards points. You'll see different fare types (e.g., Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select) with their corresponding point values.
Wanna Get Away: These are typically the lowest-priced fares and therefore require the fewest points. They are generally non-refundable, but you'll receive a flight credit if you cancel.
Wanna Get Away Plus: Offers more flexibility, including transferable flight credits.
Anytime: More flexible fares that are fully refundable. These will require more points.
Business Select: The most flexible and highest-tier fare, offering benefits like priority boarding (A1-A15) and free in-flight Wi-Fi. These require the most points.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Reward Flight
Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that best suits your travel plans and point budget.
Review and Confirm: Proceed through the booking process, reviewing your flight details, passenger information, and the total point cost.
Complete the Purchase: Finalize the booking using your Rapid Rewards points. You'll typically only be responsible for paying the government-imposed taxes and fees (which are often around $5.60 per one-way flight within the U.S.). You can pay these with a credit card.
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Step 3: Beyond Flights: More Ways to Use Your Points
While flights offer the best value, Southwest also provides other avenues for point redemption through its "More Rewards" portal, particularly beneficial for Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers.
Sub-heading: Exploring the "More Rewards" Portal
Navigate to More Rewards: From the Southwest.com homepage, once logged in, click on "Rapid Rewards" in the top navigation bar. Then, look for an option like "Redeem Points for Gift Cards & More" or "More Rewards."
Choose Your Redemption Category: Within the More Rewards portal, you'll find various categories:
Merchandise: Shop for electronics, home goods, fashion, and more. Be aware that the value per point for merchandise is generally lower than for flights.
Gift Cards: Redeem your points for gift cards from a wide range of popular brands like Kohl's, Lowe's, and Panera. Again, the redemption value here is typically not as strong as for flights.
Hotels: Book hotel stays at over 400,000 properties worldwide. This can be a useful option if you have an abundance of points and prefer to keep your cash for other travel expenses.
Car Rentals: Use your points to book rental cars.
Experiences & Cruises: Discover various experiences, including spa packages, outdoor adventures, and cruises.
Rapid Rewards Access Events (for Credit Cardmembers): If you're a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you might have access to exclusive, curated events.
Sub-heading: The "Cash + Points" Option
Southwest has introduced a "Cash + Points" option, offering more flexibility if you don't have enough points for a full reward flight or prefer to use a combination of both.
Search for Flights in "Dollars": When using Cash + Points, you'll actually start your flight search by selecting "Dollars" as your payment option.
Select "Cash + Points" at Checkout: On the "Passenger & Payment Info" page during the booking process, you'll see "Cash + Points" as a payment option.
Choose Your Mix: Southwest will present you with several options for combining points and cash, often starting with as few as 1,000 points. Select the combination that works best for you.
Important Note: For bookings completed after 3:00 AM CST on January 1, 2025, the cash portion of a Cash + Points booking will earn Rapid Rewards points, tier qualifying points, and Companion Pass qualifying points. This is a significant improvement!
Step 4: Understanding Your Point Value and Maximizing Your Redemptions
While Southwest points offer straightforward redemption, understanding their value can help you make the most of them.
Sub-heading: The "Value" of a Southwest Point
The value of a Southwest Rapid Rewards point typically hovers around 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for Wanna Get Away flights. This value can fluctuate slightly based on fare sales and demand. For example, a $130 flight might cost around 10,000 points.
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Sub-heading: When to Consider Other Redemption Options
While flights offer the best value, sometimes it makes sense to use points for other things:
If you have a surplus of points and no immediate flight plans, redeeming for gift cards or merchandise might be convenient, even if the value per point is lower.
If a hotel or car rental is exceptionally expensive in cash, and you have enough points to cover it, it could be a practical use of your rewards.
For Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers, the "Pay Yourself Back" option can be valuable, allowing you to redeem points for a statement credit against eligible transactions (like your annual credit card fee).
Step 5: Key Considerations and Pro Tips for Rapid Rewards
To truly become a Southwest points pro, keep these tips in mind:
Sub-heading: Companion Pass: The Ultimate Perk
The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered one of the best travel perks in the industry. If you earn it, you can designate one person to fly with you for virtually free (you just pay taxes and fees) on unlimited Southwest flights, whether you book with points or cash. To qualify, you generally need to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. Southwest credit cards can significantly help you achieve this.
Sub-heading: Point Expiration: Good News!
Southwest Rapid Rewards points generally do not expire. This is a huge benefit, offering peace of mind and allowing you to save up for bigger trips without worrying about losing your valuable points. However, if you close your Rapid Rewards account, your points will be terminated.
Sub-heading: Earning More Points
Flying Southwest: The most direct way to earn points is by flying. Different fare types earn points at different rates (e.g., Business Select earns more points per dollar than Wanna Get Away).
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: These co-branded credit cards from Chase are an excellent way to earn a large number of points through welcome bonuses and everyday spending. They often come with benefits like anniversary points, travel credits, and points that count towards Companion Pass qualification.
Rapid Rewards Partners: Earn points with various partners, including hotels, car rental companies, shopping portals, and dining programs. Always check the Southwest website for current partners and offers.
Transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards: If you have a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve), you can transfer those points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This is a powerful way to boost your Southwest point balance.
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10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Southwest Rapid Rewards points balance?
To check your points balance, simply log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your current point total will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to transfer Southwest points to another person?
You can transfer your Rapid Rewards points to another Rapid Rewards Member through the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section on the Southwest website. There is typically a fee associated with transferring points.
How to use Southwest points for international flights?
You use Southwest points for international flights the same way you would for domestic flights. Simply search for your desired international destination on Southwest.com and select the "Points" option to view fares.
How to get the best value from my Southwest points?
The best value from Southwest points is generally achieved when redeeming them for "Wanna Get Away" fares on Southwest flights, as the point cost directly correlates with the cash price, typically yielding a value of 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point.
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
How to avoid Southwest points from expiring?
Good news! Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. As long as your account remains open and in good standing, your points will be safe.
How to earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points quickly?
The quickest ways to earn a significant number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points are by signing up for a Southwest co-branded credit card from Chase and meeting its welcome bonus spending requirements, or by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Southwest account.
How to book a hotel with Southwest points?
To book a hotel with Southwest points, log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, navigate to the "More Rewards" portal, and select the "Hotel Stay" option. You can then search for and book hotels using your points.
How to use the Southwest Companion Pass?
Once you've earned the Companion Pass, book your own Southwest flight (with points or cash). After your flight is confirmed, go to the "My Trips" section of your account, find your upcoming flight, and click "Add Companion." You'll then be able to add your designated companion for free, only paying applicable taxes and fees.
How to combine cash and points for a Southwest flight?
To use the Cash + Points option, start your flight search in "Dollars." During the checkout process on the "Passenger & Payment Info" page, you'll see an option to select "Cash + Points" as a payment method, allowing you to choose a combination that suits you.
How to use Southwest points for things other than travel?
Besides flights, you can use Southwest points for merchandise, gift cards, and experiences through the "More Rewards" portal on Southwest.com. If you are a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you may also have access to "Pay Yourself Back" for a statement credit on eligible transactions.
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