Hey there, fellow traveler! Are you ready to unlock some serious savings on your next Southwest Airlines adventure? If you're like me, you love Southwest for their two free checked bags and their no change fees policy. But did you know there are even more ways to keep your hard-earned money in your pocket while still enjoying that legendary Southwest hospitality? Let's dive in and become savvy Southwest savers together!
The Ultimate Guide: How to Save Money on Southwest Airlines
Saving money on flights isn't just about finding the cheapest ticket once. It's about a strategic approach that combines smart booking, leveraging loyalty programs, and understanding the airline's unique policies. Follow these steps to become a Southwest savings pro!
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| How To Save Money On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Embrace Flexibility – Your Wallet's Best Friend!
The single most impactful way to save money on Southwest is by being flexible with your travel dates and times. Seriously, this isn't just a suggestion; it's a golden rule!
Sub-heading: The Magic of the Low Fare Calendar
Southwest Airlines has a fantastic tool designed specifically for this purpose: their Low Fare Calendar.
How to use it: Instead of entering exact dates, look for the "Low Fare Calendar" option when searching for flights on the Southwest website (it's primarily available on the desktop site, though you can adjust dates on the app). This calendar displays prices for an entire month, allowing you to visually identify the cheapest days to fly. You'll often see significant price differences between a Tuesday morning flight and a Friday evening flight.
Why it works: Demand dictates pricing. Flying during off-peak times (e.g., Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, or early morning/late-night flights) almost always results in lower fares. Weekends and major holidays are prime time for higher prices. Be prepared to adjust your schedule to reap the rewards!
Sub-heading: Consider Off-Peak Seasons
Beyond just specific days of the week, think about when you're traveling. Summer, major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Spring Break), and popular events often lead to inflated prices.
Pro Tip: If your vacation dates aren't set in stone, consider traveling during the "shoulder seasons" (just before or after peak season) or during the true off-season for your destination. You might find pleasant weather and drastically lower fares.
Step 2: Master the Art of Booking – Timing is Everything!
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
Once you have your flexible dates in mind, it's time to book. But when is the best time to hit that "purchase" button?
Sub-heading: Book in Advance (But Not Too Far!)
While it's generally true that booking in advance saves money, there's a sweet spot.
The Sweet Spot: Aim to book your Southwest flights 2-3 months out from your desired travel date. Southwest typically releases their flight schedules about six months in advance. Booking too early might mean you miss out on potential sales, while booking last-minute usually means higher prices.
The Exception: Holiday Travel: For major holidays, you might need to book even further in advance, sometimes 4-6 months out, as demand is consistently high.
Sub-heading: Be a Sale Hunter
Southwest is known for its frequent fare sales. These often pop up without much warning, so being prepared is key.
Sign Up for Email Alerts: This is non-negotiable. Get on Southwest's email list so you're notified immediately when a sale drops.
Follow on Social Media: Airlines often announce sales on their social media channels first.
"Travel Tuesdays": While not a guaranteed event, Southwest has a reputation for launching sales on Tuesdays. Keep an eye out!
The Rebooking Advantage: This is one of Southwest's best perks. If you book a flight and the fare drops later, you can rebook your existing flight at the lower price and receive the difference back as a travel fund (if paid in cash) or points (if paid with points). This means you can book when you see a good price, and then keep checking back for even better deals!
Step 3: Leverage the Rapid Rewards Program – Fly Smarter, Not Harder!
Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, is incredibly valuable for saving money, especially if you fly with them frequently.
Sub-heading: Earn Points on Everything
Flying: You earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights. The earning rate varies by fare type:
Basic: 2 points per dollar
Wanna Get Away Plus: 6 points per dollar
Anytime: 10 points per dollar
Business Select: 14 points per dollar
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: This is a game-changer for earning points quickly. Chase offers several co-branded Southwest credit cards.
Sign-Up Bonuses: These cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses that can instantly give you enough points for several free flights.
Bonus Categories: Many cards offer accelerated earning on Southwest purchases, hotel/car rental partners, and even everyday spending categories like transit, internet, and streaming.
Anniversary Points: Most cards offer bonus points each year you renew, further boosting your balance.
Shopping and Dining Portals: Southwest has online shopping and dining portals where you can earn extra Rapid Rewards points by making purchases through their links.
Hotel and Car Rental Partners: Book through Southwest's partners to earn points on your ground transportation and accommodation.
Sub-heading: Redeem Points Wisely
QuickTip: Pause after each section to reflect.
Point Value: Southwest uses a fare-based award system, meaning the number of points required for a flight is tied to the cash price. Generally, a Southwest Rapid Rewards point is valued around 1.3 to 1.5 cents.
Low Fare Calendar for Points: Just like with cash fares, use the Low Fare Calendar to find the cheapest point redemptions. Flexible dates equal fewer points!
Cash + Points: If you don't have enough points for a full redemption, Southwest allows you to combine cash and points for your booking. This can be a good option to use up smaller point balances.
Step 4: The Holy Grail of Savings: The Southwest Companion Pass!
If you frequently travel with a partner, family member, or friend, the Southwest Companion Pass is unbeatable for savings. It allows a designated companion to fly with you for almost free (you only pay taxes and fees, which are usually around $5.60 per one-way flight within the U.S.) on any flight you take, whether you book with cash or points.
Sub-heading: How to Earn the Companion Pass
To earn the Companion Pass, you need to either:
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year.
Sub-heading: Strategizing for the Companion Pass
Credit Card Strategy: The most common and often easiest way to earn the Companion Pass is through Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonuses. By strategically applying for personal and/or business Southwest credit cards, you can earn a large chunk of the required points.
Timing is Key: Many experts recommend earning the Companion Pass early in the calendar year. If you qualify in January, you'll have the pass for the remainder of that year and the entire following calendar year – potentially almost two full years of free companion travel!
Combine Earning Methods: Don't forget that points earned from flying, spending on credit cards, and partner activities all count towards the 135,000 qualifying points.
Step 5: Master the Southwest Fare Types
Southwest offers different fare types, each with varying levels of flexibility and perks. Understanding these can help you avoid unnecessary costs.
Basic: This is Southwest's most affordable fare. Be aware: If you cancel, you'll receive a flight credit that expires in six months.
Wanna Get Away Plus: A step up from Basic, offering transferable flight credits (valid for 12 months) and free same-day standby or same-day confirmed changes.
Anytime: More flexible than Wanna Get Away fares. Cancellations can be refunded to the original form of payment, or as a flight credit (valid for 12 months). Also includes perks like priority lane access and EarlyBird Check-In (if booked at least 24-36 hours in advance).
Business Select: The highest fare tier with the most perks, including refundable tickets to original form of payment, priority boarding (A1-A15), free in-flight internet, and a complimentary premium drink.
Savings Strategy: For most leisure travelers, Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fares will be your go-to for the best value. Only consider Anytime or Business Select if the additional flexibility or perks truly outweigh the higher cost for your specific needs. Always compare the price difference against the value of the added benefits.
Step 6: Avoid Unnecessary Fees
Southwest is famous for its customer-friendly policies, but there are still a few things to watch out for.
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
Sub-heading: Baggage (Mostly Free, But Know the Limits!)
Two Free Checked Bags: This is a HUGE money-saver compared to other airlines. Southwest allows every passenger two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs and 62 inches) – no matter the fare type. Take advantage of this!
Oversize/Overweight Fees: While the first two bags are free, watch out for bags exceeding the weight (over 50 lbs) or size limits (over 62 inches). These incur significant fees. Always weigh your bags before heading to the airport!
Sub-heading: EarlyBird Check-In (Often Skip It!)
EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight, typically giving you a better boarding position. It costs between $15-$99 per one-way flight.
When to Skip It: For most travelers, it's not worth the cost. Just set a reminder and check in exactly 24 hours before your flight to get a decent boarding position. Southwest's open seating policy means you'll almost always find a seat, even if it's not your absolute first choice.
Family Boarding: If you're traveling with a child aged six or younger, two adults can board during Family Boarding (between the A and B groups), guaranteeing you'll find seats together. This makes EarlyBird completely unnecessary for families.
A-List/A-List Preferred: If you have elite status with Southwest, you already get priority boarding benefits, making EarlyBird redundant.
Upgraded Boarding: Sometimes, you can purchase an Upgraded Boarding at the gate for a better position if available. This can be a more targeted use of funds if you really need an "A" group spot.
Step 7: Stay Informed & Be Prepared to Rebook
The rebooking policy for Southwest is a powerhouse for saving money.
Set Fare Alerts: Use tools like Google Flights or other third-party aggregators to set up fare alerts for your desired routes.
Check Prices Frequently: After you book a flight, continue to check the price of that exact same flight. If the price (in cash or points) drops, you can easily change your existing reservation online and receive the difference back.
If you paid with cash for a Wanna Get Away fare, you'll get a travel fund.
If you paid with points, the points will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account.
Understanding Travel Funds: As of May 28, 2025, flight credits from Basic fares expire in six months. Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares offer transferable flight credits that expire in 12 months. Know your expiration dates and use them! If your flight was significantly disrupted by Southwest, your flight credit might be valid for five years.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find the cheapest days to fly on Southwest?
Use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar on their website to view prices for an entire month and easily identify the lowest fares by day. Being flexible with your travel dates is key.
How to get free checked bags on Southwest Airlines?
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
Every Southwest Airlines ticketed passenger is entitled to two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs and 62 inches) regardless of fare type, making it a great value compared to other airlines.
How to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points effectively?
Redeem your Rapid Rewards points for "Wanna Get Away" fares, as these offer the best value per point. Use the Low Fare Calendar to find flights requiring fewer points.
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass quickly?
The most common method is by earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year, often achieved by strategically opening Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and meeting their sign-up bonus requirements.
How to rebook a Southwest flight if the price drops?
Log into your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest website, go to "My Trips," find your reservation, and select "Change Flight." If the new price is lower, you will receive the difference as a travel fund or points.
How to avoid EarlyBird Check-In fees?
Simply check in exactly 24 hours before your flight's departure time to get the best possible boarding position without paying the fee. If traveling with a child aged six or under, utilize Family Boarding.
How to understand Southwest's different fare types?
Southwest offers Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares. Basic is the cheapest and most restrictive, while Business Select is the most expensive with maximum flexibility and perks. Choose the fare that balances cost with your needed flexibility.
How to use Southwest travel funds?
When booking a new flight, simply select "Southwest Travel Funds" as a payment option during checkout. Ensure you use them before their expiration date, which varies based on the original fare type and booking date.
How to get A-List status on Southwest?
You can earn A-List status by flying 20 qualifying one-way flights or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. This provides benefits like priority boarding and bonus point earning.
How to get discounted in-flight Wi-Fi or drinks on Southwest?
Some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer benefits like a 25% statement credit on in-flight drink and Wi-Fi purchases. A-List Preferred members also receive free in-flight internet and complimentary premium drinks.
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