Are you dreaming of your next Southwest adventure but find yourself a few points shy of that coveted reward flight? Perhaps you're planning a special trip for a loved one, or simply want to boost your Rapid Rewards balance. Whatever your reason, buying Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points is a straightforward process that can help you reach your travel goals faster.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of purchasing Southwest points, ensuring you understand the ins and outs of the process, from finding the best deals to what to expect after your purchase.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Boost Your Points? – Determine Your Need and Check Your Balance!
Before diving into the purchase process, the first thing to ask yourself is: Do I really need to buy points?
Perhaps you're just a few hundred or thousand points short for a specific flight.
Maybe you want to give a gift of travel to a friend or family member.
Or, you might be aiming for a larger balance to unlock more redemption options down the line.
Action Item:
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. This is crucial for seeing your current points balance and assessing how many more you might need. It also ensures you're ready to proceed with the purchase directly through their platform.
Make a note of your current point total. This will help you determine the exact number of points you'll need to buy.
Step 2: Navigating to the Purchase Page – Where to Find the "Buy Points" Option
Southwest makes it quite easy to find the option to buy points directly on their website.
Access the Rapid Rewards Section:
Once you're logged into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, look for the "Rapid Rewards" link at the top of the page. Click on it.
This will take you to your Rapid Rewards dashboard, which gives you an overview of your points, tier status, and more.
Locate "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points":
Within the Rapid Rewards section, you'll typically find a "Manage" or "Points" sub-menu.
Look for an option explicitly labeled "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points." This is your gateway to purchasing points for yourself or others. Click on it!
Step 3: Choosing Your Purchase Option – Buy for Yourself or Gift to Others
Southwest offers flexibility in how you acquire points. You can either purchase them for your own Rapid Rewards account or buy them as a gift for another Rapid Rewards Member.
Buying for Your Own Account:
If you're topping up your own balance, simply select the "Buy Points" option for your account.
Gifting Points to Another Member:
If you're buying points for someone else, choose the "Gift Points" option. You'll need the recipient's name and their Rapid Rewards account number. The points will be deposited directly into their account upon completion of the transaction.
Step 4: Selecting Your Point Increment and Quantity – Understanding the Purchase Structure
Once you've chosen to buy points, you'll be presented with options for the quantity you wish to purchase.
Point Increments: Southwest typically offers points in increments.
During promotional periods, you might find points available in increments of 1,000.
When there isn't a promotion, points are usually sold in increments of 500.
Minimum and Maximums:
The minimum purchase is generally 2,000 points.
There's a daily maximum of 60,000 points for both personal and gift purchases.
Carefully consider how many points you need. It's generally not advisable to buy points speculatively, as the cost per point can be higher than the value you get when redeeming them. However, if you're close to a redemption or need to top off an account, it can be a convenient option.
Step 5: Looking for Promotions and Deals – Timing Your Purchase for Maximum Value
This is a CRITICAL step for maximizing the value of your purchase! Southwest frequently offers promotions on buying points, which can significantly reduce your effective cost per point.
Check the "Buy Points" Page: Often, any active promotions will be advertised directly on the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" page.
Look for Bonus Offers: Promotions commonly include bonus points when you purchase a certain quantity (e.g., "Get 30% more points when you buy 10,000 points or more").
Sign Up for Email Alerts: If you're not in a hurry, consider signing up for Southwest's email newsletters. They often announce point purchase promotions this way.
Always compare the cost per point during a promotion to the regular price. A good general rule of thumb is that Southwest Rapid Rewards points are typically worth around $0.014 to $0.015 per point when redeemed for flights. If you can buy them for less than that, it might be a decent deal.
Step 6: Reviewing the Cost and Completing the Transaction – Payment and Confirmation
Once you've selected the quantity of points, you'll proceed to the payment screen.
Understand the Pricing: The cost of Southwest points can vary, but generally, they are priced at around $0.03 per point before any promotions. This means 1,000 points could cost you $30. This is why purchasing during a promotion is so important!
Payment Method: You will need a valid credit card to complete the purchase. All transactions are settled in USD, and if your credit card is issued through a foreign bank, you may incur exchange rate fees.
Review Your Order: Double-check the number of points you're buying and the total cost before confirming.
Confirm and Purchase: After reviewing, click the "Confirm" or "Purchase" button to finalize your transaction.
Step 7: Receiving Your Points – The Waiting Game (Briefly!)
After your purchase is complete, the points won't appear instantly in your account, but they generally post quite quickly.
Allow Time for Processing: Southwest states that it can take up to 72 hours for purchased points to post to your Rapid Rewards account. In most cases, it's much faster, often within minutes or a few hours.
Check Your Account Activity: You can monitor your Rapid Rewards account activity online to see when the points have been deposited. You should also receive an email confirmation of your purchase.
Step 8: Important Considerations After Your Purchase – What Your New Points Can and Cannot Do
While buying points can be a great way to top up your balance, there are some key things to remember:
Redeemable, Not Status-Qualifying: Points purchased do not count towards earning A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status. These statuses are earned through flying qualifying flights or earning tier qualifying points (TQPs) through other means (like spending on eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards).
Non-Refundable and Non-Reversible: Once you've purchased points, the transaction is generally non-refundable and non-reversible. Make sure you're confident in your purchase before finalizing it.
Points Do Not Expire: One of the fantastic benefits of Southwest Rapid Rewards points is that they do not expire. As long as your account remains open, your purchased points will be there when you're ready to use them.
Step 9: Redeeming Your Newly Acquired Points – Booking Your Dream Flight!
Now for the exciting part – using your boosted points!
Log in to Southwest.com: Ensure you are logged into your Rapid Rewards account.
Search for Flights: On the flight search bar, make sure to select the "Points" radio button instead of "Dollars."
Find Your Flight: Search for your desired destination and dates. The results will display the cost in points.
Book and Fly: Select your flight, complete the booking process (you'll still pay nominal taxes and fees, typically $5.60 per one-way trip, which can be paid with a credit card), and get ready for your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Buying Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
How to check my current Southwest Rapid Rewards point balance?
You can check your current point balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your balance will be prominently displayed on your dashboard.
How to find out if there are any promotions on buying Southwest points?
Southwest often advertises point purchase promotions directly on their "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" page. You can also look for announcements in their email newsletters.
How to determine the best value for buying Southwest points?
Compare the effective cost per point (total cost / total points received) to the typical redemption value of Southwest points, which is usually around $0.014 to $0.015 per point for flights. Aim to buy when the effective cost is lower than this value, especially during promotions.
How to gift Southwest points to another person?
When on the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" page, select the "Gift Points" option. You will need the recipient's name and their Rapid Rewards account number to complete the transaction.
How to pay for purchased Southwest Rapid Rewards points?
You can pay for purchased points using a valid credit card. Transactions are processed in USD.
How long does it take for purchased Southwest points to appear in my account?
While it can take up to 72 hours for purchased points to post, they often appear much sooner, sometimes within minutes or a few hours.
How to ensure my purchased points count towards A-List or Companion Pass status?
Purchased points do not count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status. These statuses are earned through qualifying flights or specific credit card spending that generates Tier Qualifying Points.
How to get a refund if I accidentally buy too many points?
Purchases of Southwest Rapid Rewards points are generally non-refundable and non-reversible. It's important to be sure of the quantity you need before completing the transaction.
How to use my purchased Southwest points for flights?
Log in to Southwest.com, select the "Points" option on the flight search bar, and search for your desired flights. You can then use your points to book any available reward flight.
How to prevent my Southwest Rapid Rewards points from expiring?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. As long as your account remains open, your points will be safe.
