Oh, the quest for a free flight on Southwest Airlines! It's a dream for many, and with their flexible Rapid Rewards program, it's definitely achievable. But how many points do you actually need? That's the million-dollar (or rather, million-point) question, and the answer is wonderfully, maddeningly, it depends!
Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is revenue-based, meaning the number of points required for a flight is tied directly to the cash price of that flight. This is fantastic because it means no blackout dates and no fixed award charts that suddenly require double the points during peak season. When the cash price drops, so do the points needed.
Let's dive deep into how you can understand, earn, and redeem those valuable Rapid Rewards points for your next adventure!
Unlocking Your Free Flight: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Journey
Step 1: Understanding the "It Depends" Factor – Your Key to Smart Redemption!
Before we talk about earning, let's truly grasp the redemption side. You might be thinking, "Just tell me the number!" But with Southwest, it's more nuanced and ultimately better for you.
The Dynamic Pricing Model: Unlike many airlines that have fixed award charts (e.g., 25,000 miles for a domestic round-trip), Southwest's Rapid Rewards points are tied to the cash price of the ticket. This means if a flight costs $100, it will require a certain number of points. If that same flight drops to $50 during a sale, the points needed will also drop by roughly half! This is called "Transfarency" and it's a huge benefit.
Point Value Varies by Fare Type: Not all points are created equal when it comes to redemption. Southwest offers different fare classes, and the value you get per point varies slightly:
Wanna Get Away: Generally provides the best value per point (around 1.3 - 1.5 cents per point, though this can fluctuate). This is the economy fare.
Wanna Get Away Plus: A newer fare class, offering more flexibility. The point value is usually a bit less than Wanna Get Away but better than Anytime.
Anytime: Offers more flexibility, but you'll get a lower value for your points.
Business Select: The most flexible and expensive fare, yielding the lowest point value.
Taxes and Fees Still Apply: Even when redeeming points, you'll still be responsible for paying government-imposed taxes and fees, which typically start at $5.60 each way for domestic flights. International flights will have higher taxes and fees.
So, while there's no single "magic number" of points for a free flight, you can easily check the points cost on Southwest.com when searching for flights. Just select "Points" instead of "Dollars" when you're looking up a route!
Step 2: Amassing Your Rapid Rewards Stash – How to Earn Points
Now that you understand how redemption works, let's focus on building up that point balance. Southwest offers numerous ways to earn points, both in the air and on the ground.
Sub-heading: Flying with Southwest
This is the most straightforward way, but not always the fastest for infrequent flyers.
Earning Rates by Fare Type: The number of points you earn per dollar spent on Southwest flights depends on the fare class you purchase:
Wanna Get Away: 6 points per dollar
Wanna Get Away Plus: 9 points per dollar (as of May 28, 2025, it earns 6 pts per dollar)
Anytime: 10 points per dollar
Business Select: 14 points per dollar
Tier Status Bonuses: If you achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status, you'll earn even more points:
A-List: 25% earning bonus
A-List Preferred: 100% earning bonus (effectively doubling your points earned on flights!)
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Credit Cards – The Fastest Path to Free Flights
For most people, Southwest's co-branded credit cards issued by Chase are the quickest way to rack up a significant number of points.
Sign-Up Bonuses: These are often the biggest point earners. New cardmembers can earn tens of thousands of points after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. Keep an eye out for elevated offers!
Everyday Spending: Beyond the sign-up bonus, you'll earn points on your daily purchases:
Southwest purchases: Often 2-3 points per dollar.
Partner purchases (e.g., hotels, car rentals): Often 2 points per dollar.
All other purchases: 1 point per dollar.
Anniversary Points: Many Southwest credit cards offer a bonus of 3,000 to 9,000 points annually on your cardmember anniversary.
Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost: Some Southwest credit cards provide a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year, which can be a significant leg up towards that amazing benefit!
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Partners – Earn Points Beyond Flights
Southwest has a wide network of partners where you can earn points on everyday activities.
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: This is a goldmine! Shop online at hundreds of your favorite retailers through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal and earn bonus points per dollar spent. Always check here before making an online purchase!
Rapid Rewards Dining: Link your credit cards to the Rapid Rewards Dining program and earn points automatically when you dine at participating restaurants.
Hotel Partners: Earn points when booking stays with hotel chains like Marriott, Hyatt, Choice Hotels, and Best Western through Southwest's dedicated portals or by converting hotel loyalty points.
Rental Car Partners: Book car rentals with partners like Hertz, Avis, and Budget to earn Rapid Rewards points.
Other Partners: Look for opportunities with various other partners, from survey sites to home and lifestyle services.
Step 3: Strategizing for Maximum Redemption Value
Now that you're earning points, let's ensure you get the most bang for your buck (or point!).
Be Flexible with Travel Dates: The less demand for a flight, the fewer points it will typically cost. Flying during off-peak seasons, mid-week, or at less popular times of day can significantly reduce the point requirement.
Book Early (and Rebook if Prices Drop!): While there's no fixed award chart, booking early often secures a lower price. However, Southwest's amazing policy allows you to rebook your flight if the cash price (and thus point price) drops! If the points needed for your booked flight decrease, you can rebook the same flight and the difference in points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account. This is a huge advantage.
Consider the Companion Pass: This is arguably the best travel perk in the industry. If you earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year, you get to designate one person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees from $5.60 each way) on every flight you take, whether you pay with cash or points, for the rest of that year and the entire following calendar year! This effectively doubles the value of all your points.
Step 4: Booking Your Free Flight
The process is remarkably simple once you have enough points.
Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Head to Southwest.com and sign in.
Search for Flights: On the flight search bar, select "Points" instead of "Dollars."
Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that works best for your travel plans and point balance.
Review and Confirm: Double-check your flight details and confirm the booking. You'll pay the applicable taxes and fees with a credit card.
Voila! You've just booked a "free" flight with your hard-earned Rapid Rewards points.
Step 5: Beyond Flights – Other Redemption Options
While flights generally offer the best value for your Rapid Rewards points, you do have other options:
Gift Cards: You can redeem points for gift cards from various popular brands. The value here is typically lower than flight redemptions.
Merchandise: Southwest also offers merchandise redemption, but again, the point value is usually not as good as flights.
Hotels and Rental Cars: You can use points to book hotels and rental cars through the Rapid Rewards portal, though the value tends to be less competitive than booking flights directly.
Experiences: Occasionally, there are unique experiences available for redemption, especially for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers.
Important Notes on Rapid Rewards Points:
Points Do Not Expire: This is a fantastic benefit! As long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open, your points won't expire, giving you ample time to save for your desired trip.
No Blackout Dates for Award Flights: If there's an open seat on a Southwest flight, you can book it with points. No frustrating blackout dates!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to calculate the points needed for a specific Southwest flight?
To calculate the points needed, simply go to Southwest.com, enter your desired flight details, and select "Points" instead of "Dollars" in the search criteria. The website will display the exact number of points required for each available fare.
How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points quickly?
The fastest ways to earn points are usually through sign-up bonuses on Southwest co-branded credit cards, followed by everyday spending on those cards, and utilizing the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal for online purchases.
How to check my Southwest Rapid Rewards point balance?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your point balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard or "My Account" page.
How to transfer points to another Southwest Rapid Rewards member?
You can transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member by logging into your account on Southwest.com, navigating to the "Buy, Gift & Transfer" section, and selecting the "Transfer points" option. Note that a fee typically applies for point transfers.
How to get the Southwest Companion Pass?
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you must either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points within a single calendar year. Points earned from Southwest credit card welcome offers and spending, as well as revenue flights, count towards this goal.
How to redeem Southwest points for international flights?
The process is the same as redeeming for domestic flights. Search for your desired international destination on Southwest.com, select "Points," and book your flight. Remember that international flights will have higher government taxes and fees.
How to rebook a Southwest flight if the point price drops?
If the point price for your booked flight decreases, log in to your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," find your flight, and select "Change Flight." Choose the same flight and fare type, and you'll be refunded the difference in points.
How to earn tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status?
Tier qualifying points (TQPs) are earned from revenue flights flown on Southwest (depending on fare type) and through spending on eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (typically 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent).
How to use Southwest points for hotel stays or car rentals?
You can redeem Southwest points for hotel stays and car rentals through the Southwest More Rewards portal accessible via your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. However, flights generally offer a better redemption value.
How to ensure my Southwest Rapid Rewards points don't expire?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open. There is no activity requirement to keep your points active, unlike some other airline loyalty programs.