Have you ever found yourself with a hefty stash of Southwest Rapid Rewards points, while a friend or family member is just a few shy of that dream vacation? Or perhaps you're looking for a way to combine points for a larger redemption? The question "Can you transfer Southwest Airlines points to someone else?" is a common one, and the answer is yes, but with some important nuances and considerations.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about transferring Southwest Rapid Rewards points, including the fees, alternatives, and frequently asked questions. Let's dive in!
Understanding Southwest Rapid Rewards Point Transfers
Southwest Airlines, known for its "Transfarency" and customer-friendly policies, does offer the option to transfer Rapid Rewards points between members. However, it's crucial to understand that Southwest charges a fee for point transfers. This fee can make transferring points a less attractive option compared to other strategies.
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| Can You Transfer Southwest Airlines Points To Someone Else |
Step 1: Consider Your Options Before Transferring Directly
Before you jump into transferring points, let's pause. Many people assume direct point transfer is the only solution, but it's often not the most cost-effective. Southwest has some excellent alternatives that might save you money and hassle.
Sub-heading: The Power of Booking for Others
This is arguably the best and most common alternative to directly transferring points. Did you know you can use your Rapid Rewards points to book a flight for anyone? That's right! You don't need to transfer points to their account.
Why this is better: There are no fees whatsoever when you book a flight for someone else using your points. You simply log into your Rapid Rewards account, search for the desired flight, and enter the other person's name as the passenger. It's that simple!
When to use this: This is ideal if you want to help a friend or family member fly, or if you have enough points for their entire trip.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
Sub-heading: Transferable Flight Credits (for eligible fares)
Southwest also offers "Transferable Flight Credits" for certain fare types (Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus). If you cancel an eligible flight, the resulting flight credit can be transferred to another Rapid Rewards Member.
Key details:
Both the sender and recipient must be Rapid Rewards Members.
Only one transfer is allowed per flight credit.
The entire credit amount must be transferred; partial transfers are not permitted.
These credits generally expire 12 months from the date the fare was originally booked.
When to use this: This is a good option if you have a flight credit you won't use and want to give it to someone else.
Sub-heading: Gifting Points
While similar to transferring, gifting points is essentially buying points for someone else. Southwest allows you to purchase points and have them deposited directly into another Rapid Rewards account.
Why this is different from transferring: When you gift points, you're buying new points for someone, whereas transferring moves existing points from your account. The fees are generally similar to transfers.
When to use this: If someone needs a small top-up to their account, and you're willing to pay the fee for newly purchased points.
Step 2: Understanding the Direct Point Transfer Process (and its Cost)
If, after considering the alternatives, you still decide that directly transferring points is the way to go, here's how it works. Be prepared for the fees involved.
Sub-heading: The Fee Structure for Point Transfers
Southwest charges a fee based on the number of points you transfer. As of my last update, the fee is typically $5 for every 500 points transferred. This can quickly add up!
QuickTip: Read a little, pause, then continue.
Example: If you want to transfer 5,000 points, it would cost you $50. For 10,000 points, it's $100.
Minimum and Maximum: You can typically transfer a minimum of 2,000 points and a daily maximum of 60,000 points.
Step 2.1: Accessing the Transfer Points Option
To initiate a point transfer, you'll need to go through the Southwest Airlines website.
Log In: Begin by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Ensure you are logged into the account from which the points will be transferred.
Navigate to Rapid Rewards Section: Once logged in, look for the "Rapid Rewards" section. This is usually found in the main navigation menu or under your account dashboard.
Find "Buy or Transfer Points": Within the Rapid Rewards section, you'll typically find an option like "Manage" and then "Buy or Transfer Points" or "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points." Click on the "Transfer points" option.
Step 2.2: Providing Recipient and Transfer Details
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This is where you specify who the points are going to and how many.
Enter Recipient Information: You will be prompted to enter the recipient's information. This typically includes their:
Full Name (must match their Rapid Rewards account)
Rapid Rewards Account Number
Email Address
Double-check this information carefully! An incorrect number or name could lead to delays or issues.
Specify Number of Points: Enter the desired number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the minimum and maximum transfer limits. The system will automatically calculate the associated fee.
Step 2.3: Payment and Confirmation
The final step involves paying the transfer fee.
Enter Payment Information: You will need to provide your credit card details to cover the transfer fee.
Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details of the transfer, including the recipient's information, the number of points, and the total fee. Once you're confident everything is correct, confirm the transfer.
Processing Time: Allow some time for the points to post to the recipient's account. Southwest typically states that transferred points will post within 72 hours, but it can sometimes be quicker.
Step 3: Important Considerations and Fine Print
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
While transferring points is possible, there are several key things to keep in mind:
Sub-heading: Points Do Not Count Towards Elite Status or Companion Pass
Critical Point: Purchased, gifted, or transferred Rapid Rewards points DO NOT count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, or the coveted Companion Pass qualification. This is a significant detail, especially for those aiming for elite status. Points earned from flying or from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card spending are generally what count towards these tiers.
Sub-heading: Transfers are Non-Refundable and Non-Reversible
Once a point transfer is completed, it's final. Southwest generally does not allow refunds or reversals of point transfers. This underscores the importance of double-checking all information before confirming.
Sub-heading: Points Do Not Expire (but account closure means forfeiture)
Good News! Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. This is a huge benefit compared to many other airline loyalty programs.
However, if you choose to close your Rapid Rewards account, any points in that account will be forfeited.
Sub-heading: Transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve), you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This is often a much more valuable way to acquire Southwest points than buying or transferring them directly, as there are typically no fees for these transfers from Chase.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
Here are some frequently asked questions about transferring Southwest Airlines points, with quick answers:
How to transfer Southwest Airlines points to another Rapid Rewards account? You can transfer points online through your Southwest Rapid Rewards account by navigating to the "Buy or Transfer Points" section and selecting "Transfer points."
How to avoid fees when transferring Southwest points? The most effective way to avoid transfer fees is to book the flight directly for the other person using your points from your own Rapid Rewards account.
How to transfer flight credits on Southwest Airlines? For eligible fares (Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus), you can transfer a flight credit to another Rapid Rewards Member via the "View Travel Funds" section in your online account.
How to gift Southwest Rapid Rewards points to someone? You can gift points by purchasing them directly through Southwest's "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section and designating another Rapid Rewards Member as the recipient. This will incur a fee.
How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest? Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, go to the "Transfer Points" section, and select Southwest Rapid Rewards as the partner. Transfers are typically 1:1 and fee-free.
How to know if Southwest points count towards Companion Pass after transfer? Transferred, purchased, or gifted points do not count towards earning Companion Pass or elite A-List/A-List Preferred status.
How to reverse a Southwest point transfer? Generally, Southwest point transfers are non-refundable and non-reversible once completed.
How to find the fee for transferring Southwest points? The fee for transferring points is typically $5 for every 500 points. The system will calculate the total fee for you during the transfer process on Southwest's website.
How to transfer Southwest points to a family member or spouse? The process is the same for any Rapid Rewards Member: use the online transfer tool, but remember that booking for them directly often avoids fees.
How to transfer Southwest points to other airlines? Southwest Rapid Rewards points cannot be directly transferred to other airline loyalty programs. They are primarily for redemption on Southwest flights.
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