Have you been accumulating Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points and now you're wondering how to truly make the most of them? You're in luck! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every fantastic way you can leverage those hard-earned points, transforming them into incredible travel experiences and beyond. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your Southwest points!
Your Comprehensive Guide to Using Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Points
Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is renowned for its straightforward approach and customer-friendly policies, especially the lack of blackout dates and the value of its points. Unlike many other airlines with complex award charts, Southwest ties the value of your points directly to the cash price of the ticket. This means that when fares go on sale, so do the points needed for redemption! Let's dive into the exciting ways you can use your points.
Step 1: Understanding Your Rapid Rewards Account and Point Value
Before you start redeeming, it's crucial to know how many points you have and what they're generally worth.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Point Balance
First things first, let's see what you're working with!
Visit Southwest.com: Head over to the official Southwest Airlines website.
Log In: In the top right corner, click on "Log In" and enter your Rapid Rewards account number or username and password.
Account Snapshot: Once logged in, you'll land on your Rapid Rewards "Snapshot" page. Here, you'll see your current point balance prominently displayed.
Sub-heading: Understanding Southwest Point Value
Southwest Rapid Rewards points typically have a value of around 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for flights. This can fluctuate slightly based on the fare type, demand, and how far in advance you book. For example, 10,000 points could be worth approximately $130-$150 towards a flight. While this value can vary, it provides a good baseline for your planning.
Pro-Tip: Keep an eye out for fare sales! When Southwest announces a sale, the points required for those flights also drop, meaning your points go further.
Step 2: Redeeming Points for Southwest Flights (The Most Popular Option!)
This is where the magic happens! Using your points for flights is often the best value redemption.
Sub-heading: Booking Flights with Points Online
The online booking process is incredibly user-friendly.
Log In: Ensure you are logged into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Search for Flights: On the homepage, enter your departure and arrival cities, dates, and the number of passengers.
Select "Points": Crucially, select "Points" instead of "Dollars" in the search criteria before clicking "Search."
Browse and Select: The search results will display the cost of each flight in points. You'll see various fare types like "Basic," "Wanna Get Away Plus," "Anytime," and "Business Select," each requiring a different number of points (and offering different benefits).
Review and Confirm: Choose your desired flight(s), review the itinerary and point cost, and proceed to checkout. Any applicable taxes and fees (typically $5.60 per one-way for domestic flights) will still need to be paid in cash.
Sub-heading: Using "Cash + Points" for Flights
Southwest now offers a flexible "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to combine points with cash for your flight booking. This is fantastic if you're a few points short of a full redemption or simply prefer to use a mix.
Log In and Search: Log into your Rapid Rewards account and search for flights as you normally would.
Choose "Dollars" in Search: When searching, select "Dollars" as your payment method initially.
Select Cash + Points at Payment: On the "Passenger & Payment Info" page during the booking process, you will see the "Cash + Points" option under the payment section. You'll be presented with various point redemption options, starting with as few as 1,000 points.
Complete Transaction: Choose your preferred mix and complete the purchase.
Note: For bookings completed after January 1, 2025, the cash portion of a "Cash + Points" booking will earn Rapid Rewards points and count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass qualifying points! This is a significant enhancement.
Step 3: Leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass (The Ultimate Perk!)
If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, the Companion Pass is an absolute game-changer. It allows you to designate one person to fly with you for free (you only pay taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 one-way for domestic flights) on an unlimited number of flights, whether you pay with cash or points!
Sub-heading: How to Qualify for the Companion Pass
To earn the Companion Pass, you need to either:
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year, OR
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year.
Many people strategically earn the points through a combination of flying and, more commonly, by acquiring Southwest co-branded credit cards and meeting their spending bonuses.
Sub-heading: Adding Your Companion to a Flight
Once you have the Companion Pass, adding your companion is simple:
Book Your Flight First: First, book your own flight, either with cash or Rapid Rewards points.
Go to "My Trips": After your flight is confirmed, navigate to the "My Trips" section of your Rapid Rewards account.
Add Companion: Find your upcoming flight and click the "Add Companion" link.
Enter Companion Details: Follow the prompts to enter your designated companion's information.
Pay Taxes/Fees: You'll then pay the applicable taxes and fees for your companion's ticket.
Important Note: The earlier in the calendar year you earn the Companion Pass, the longer you get to enjoy its benefits, as it's valid for the remainder of the year you earn it plus the entire next calendar year!
Step 4: Exploring Other Redemption Options (Beyond Flights)
While flights offer the best value, Southwest points can also be redeemed for other travel and lifestyle perks.
Sub-heading: Hotels and Rental Cars
You can use your Rapid Rewards points to book hotels and rental cars through Southwest's dedicated travel portal.
Visit Southwest.com: Log in to your account.
Navigate to "Redeem Points": Look for the "Redeem Points" section, usually found under the "Rapid Rewards" tab.
Select "Hotels" or "Cars": Choose your desired travel type.
Search and Book: Enter your travel details and browse available options. The point value for hotels and rental cars is generally lower than for flights, so it's often not the most optimal use of your points unless you have a surplus or a specific need.
Sub-heading: Gift Cards and Merchandise
Southwest also allows you to redeem points for a variety of gift cards from popular brands or for merchandise through their "More Rewards" portal.
Log In: Access your Rapid Rewards account.
Go to "Redeem Points": Find the redemption options.
Choose "Gift Cards" or "Merchandise": Select your preference.
Browse and Redeem: Explore the available options and follow the prompts to complete your redemption.
Be aware: The value you get for your points when redeeming for gift cards or merchandise is typically significantly lower than for flights. This is generally considered a last-resort redemption strategy if you truly cannot use your points for air travel.
Sub-heading: Experiences and Rapid Rewards Access Events
For Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers, there are often exclusive "Rapid Rewards Access Events" where points can be redeemed for curated experiences like wine tastings, destination getaways, and more. Keep an eye on your Southwest account or emails for these unique opportunities.
Sub-heading: Pay Yourself Back (Credit Card Benefit)
If you're a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you might have the option to "Pay Yourself Back" by redeeming points for a statement credit to offset eligible transactions, such as your annual credit card fee. Check your specific credit card benefits for this feature.
Step 5: Managing Your Points and Staying Savvy
A few final tips to ensure you're a Rapid Rewards pro.
Sub-heading: Point Expiration Policy
Good news! Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. This is a significant advantage over many other loyalty programs, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to save for bigger trips without worrying about losing your hard-earned points. However, if you choose to close your Rapid Rewards account, your points will be forfeited.
Sub-heading: Gifting and Transferring Points
You have the option to buy, gift, or transfer Rapid Rewards points to other members.
Buying Points: If you're just short of a redemption, you can purchase points, often in increments of 500 or 1,000.
Gifting Points: You can purchase points as a gift for another Rapid Rewards member.
Transferring Points: You can transfer points from your account to another Rapid Rewards member's account.
Keep in mind: Buying or transferring points typically comes with a fee, and the cost per point is generally higher than the value you'd get from redeeming them for flights. It's usually only advisable if you need a small number of points to top off an account for a valuable redemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about using Southwest Airlines points, with quick answers:
How to Check My Southwest Rapid Rewards Point Balance?
Quick Answer: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, and your point balance will be displayed on your "Snapshot" page.
How to Book a Flight Using Southwest Points?
Quick Answer: Log in to Southwest.com, search for flights, and select "Points" as your payment type before searching.
How to Use Southwest Points for Hotels?
Quick Answer: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account, navigate to the "Redeem Points" section, and select "Hotels" to search and book.
How to Apply Southwest Points to a Rental Car Booking?
Quick Answer: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account, go to "Redeem Points," and choose "Car" to search and book rental cars.
How to Add a Companion Using the Southwest Companion Pass?
Quick Answer: First, book your own flight, then go to "My Trips" in your Rapid Rewards account, locate your flight, and click "Add Companion."
How to Know the Value of My Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?
Quick Answer: Southwest points are dynamically priced for flights, typically yielding 1.3-1.5 cents per point. The actual value depends on the cash fare of the flight you're booking.
How to Transfer Southwest Points to Another Person?
Quick Answer: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" under the "Rapid Rewards" tab, and select "Transfer points." Fees apply.
How to Use Southwest Points for Gift Cards or Merchandise?
Quick Answer: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account, find the "Redeem Points" section, and select "Gift Cards" or "Merchandise" to browse and redeem.
How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
Quick Answer: Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
How to Avoid Southwest Rapid Rewards Points from Expiring?
Quick Answer: Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. As long as your account remains open, your points are safe.
