Have you ever dreamt of sipping a complimentary cocktail or enjoying a free soda while soaring through the skies on a Southwest Airlines flight? While Southwest is known for its "Bags Fly Free" policy and open seating, free drinks aren't always a given. However, with a little know-how and strategic planning, you can significantly increase your chances of enjoying a complimentary beverage on your next Southwest journey.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through various avenues to score free drinks, from leveraging loyalty programs to taking advantage of special occasions. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Already a Rapid Rewards Member? (If not, let's fix that!)
Before we go any further, are you already a Southwest Rapid Rewards member? If your answer is anything but a resounding "YES!" then this is your absolute first, most crucial step. Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, is the cornerstone of many free drink opportunities.
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| How To Get Free Drinks On Southwest Airlines |
Sub-heading: Why Rapid Rewards is Your Best Friend for Free Drinks
Rapid Rewards isn't just for earning points for flights; it's also your gateway to potential drink coupons. Southwest often rewards its loyal members with these coveted perks. Without being a member, you're missing out on a significant pathway to free sips.
Action: If you're not yet a member, head over to Southwest.com and sign up for Rapid Rewards. It's free and takes just a few minutes. Make sure to opt-in for emails and newsletters – you never know when a promotional offer might land in your inbox!
Step 2: Understand Southwest's Baseline Beverage Policy
It's important to set realistic expectations. Southwest Airlines does offer complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks on most flights over 175 miles. These include:
Soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr Pepper, etc.)
Juices (orange, apple, cranberry)
Coffee and hot tea
Water
AHA sparkling water (Blueberry + Pomegranate)
Alcoholic beverages, however, typically cost extra, ranging from $7 to $9 per drink, unless covered by a drink coupon or special circumstance.
Step 3: Unleash the Power of Business Select Fares
This is perhaps the most straightforward way to guarantee a free alcoholic beverage.
Sub-heading: The Business Select Advantage
When you purchase a Business Select fare on Southwest Airlines, you are automatically entitled to one complimentary premium drink on flights over 250 miles. This benefit is attached directly to your boarding pass.
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
How to redeem:
Mobile Boarding Pass: If you're using a mobile boarding pass, the drink coupon eligibility will be clearly noted. Simply show this portion to the Flight Attendant for validation.
Printed Boarding Pass: For a printed boarding pass, the drink coupon will be a tear-off section.
Keep in mind: While this guarantees a free drink, Business Select fares are generally more expensive than other fare types. Weigh the cost against your desire for a complimentary beverage.
Step 4: Become an A-List Preferred Member
For frequent flyers, achieving A-List Preferred status is a fantastic way to enjoy ongoing benefits, including free drinks.
Sub-heading: The Perks of A-List Preferred
A-List Preferred members receive a complimentary premium drink on flights over 250 miles. This perk is a direct benefit of their elite status.
How to earn A-List Preferred status:
Fly 50 qualifying one-way flights OR
Earn 75,000 Tier Qualifying Points in a calendar year.
This isn't a quick fix for a single free drink, but if you're a very frequent Southwest flyer, this status offers a wealth of benefits beyond just beverages.
Step 5: Leverage Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
Several co-branded Southwest Airlines credit cards offer perks that can lead to free drinks.
Sub-heading: Credit Card Benefits that Deliver
While not all Southwest credit cards directly provide free drink coupons, some offer statement credits for inflight purchases or other benefits that can be leveraged.
For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers 20% back on inflight purchases, which can significantly reduce the cost of your drinks. While not "free," it's a considerable discount.
Additionally, credit card welcome bonuses and anniversary points can sometimes be redeemed for gift cards that could indirectly be used for onboard purchases, though direct drink coupon redemption through points is less common.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Action: Research the various Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offered by Chase. Look for benefits related to inflight purchases or annual credits that could offset drink costs. Always read the terms and conditions carefully.
Step 6: Watch Out for Holiday Cheer and Special Promotions
Southwest Airlines is known for its customer-friendly approach, and occasionally, they surprise passengers with free drinks on special occasions.
Sub-heading: Celebrating with Southwest
Southwest has been known to offer complimentary alcoholic beverages on certain holidays like:
New Year's Day
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Mother's Day
Father's Day
U.S. Independence Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Southwest's Anniversary/Birthday (usually in June)
This is not a guaranteed list and can change, but it's worth keeping in mind if your travel dates align.
Action: Follow Southwest Airlines on social media and subscribe to their newsletters. They often announce special promotions and celebratory freebies there. You might get lucky!
Step 7: The Art of the Polite Request (Service Recovery)
While not a guaranteed method, sometimes a little polite inquiry can go a long way, especially during service disruptions.
Sub-heading: When Things Go Awry (and How to Benefit)
If your flight experiences a significant delay or cancellation that is within Southwest's control, they may offer complimentary snacks and beverages as part of their service recovery.
How to approach this:
At the gate: If your flight is delayed, you can politely inquire with the gate agent if there will be any complimentary refreshments offered onboard or at the gate due to the inconvenience.
Onboard: If a delay occurs after boarding, the Flight Attendants might announce complimentary drinks. If not, a kind and understanding request to the Flight Attendant, acknowledging the delay and asking if any drinks are being offered, could sometimes result in a free beverage.
Remember: This is entirely at the discretion of the airline staff and is not a right. Politeness and understanding are key.
Tip: Reread complex ideas to fully understand them.
Step 8: The (Less Common) Drink Coupon Mail-Outs
In the past, Southwest has occasionally mailed out physical drink coupons to certain Rapid Rewards members or as part of promotional campaigns.
Sub-heading: The Mailbox Lottery
While less frequent now with digital options, physical drink coupons can still sometimes find their way to loyal customers. These are typically sent as a token of appreciation or to incentivize future travel.
Action: Ensure your Rapid Rewards account has your correct mailing address and that you're opted-in for all communications. While rare, it's a pleasant surprise if it happens!
By following these steps, you'll significantly increase your chances of enjoying a complimentary drink on your next Southwest Airlines flight. Cheers to smart travel!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get drink coupons for Southwest Airlines?
You can primarily get drink coupons by purchasing Business Select fares, achieving A-List Preferred status, or occasionally through special promotions for Rapid Rewards members and co-branded credit card holders.
How to use Rapid Rewards points for drinks on Southwest?
Currently, Rapid Rewards points cannot be directly redeemed for individual inflight drinks or drink coupons. Points are typically redeemed for flights, gift cards, merchandise, or other travel-related services through the Rapid Rewards portal.
How to know if my Southwest flight offers free drinks?
Southwest offers complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks on most flights over 175 miles. For alcoholic beverages, eligibility for a free drink is typically tied to Business Select fares, A-List Preferred status, or specific holiday promotions. Check your boarding pass or inquire with a Flight Attendant.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
How to check my Southwest drink coupon eligibility on a mobile boarding pass?
If you've purchased a Business Select fare, your mobile boarding pass will display a clear indication of your complimentary drink eligibility. Look for a section that explicitly mentions "Drink Coupon" or "Complimentary Premium Drink."
How to qualify for A-List Preferred status for free drinks on Southwest?
To qualify for A-List Preferred status, you need to either fly 50 qualifying one-way flights or earn 75,000 Tier Qualifying Points in a calendar year.
How to find out about Southwest Airlines holiday free drink days?
The best way to stay informed about Southwest's holiday free drink days is to follow their official social media channels, subscribe to their email newsletters, and check their newsroom for announcements as holidays approach.
How to get a free drink if my Southwest flight is delayed?
If your Southwest flight experiences a significant delay within the airline's control, they may offer complimentary snacks and beverages as part of their service recovery. You can politely inquire with the gate agent or Flight Attendants.
How to get a discount on alcoholic drinks if I don't get a free one on Southwest?
If you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, you can receive 20% back in the form of a statement credit on inflight purchases, including alcoholic beverages.
How to ensure I receive any mailed Southwest drink coupons?
To ensure you receive any potential mailed drink coupons from Southwest, make sure your Rapid Rewards account is up to date with your correct mailing address and that you are opted in to receive all communications from Southwest Airlines.
How to use a Southwest drink coupon once I have it?
Simply present the drink coupon (either the physical coupon or the indicated portion of your mobile boarding pass for Business Select/A-List Preferred) to your Flight Attendant when ordering your beverage. They will validate it.
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