So, you're dreaming of a free flight on Southwest Airlines, are you? Excellent choice! Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is known for its simplicity and value, and getting a "free" ticket (you'll still pay a small amount in taxes and fees) is definitely achievable. Unlike many airlines with complex award charts, Southwest ties the points needed directly to the cash price of the ticket. This means the more expensive the ticket in dollars, the more points it will cost.
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to understanding how many points you need and how to get there!
The Golden Rule: Points Fluctuate with Cash Fares
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here's the most crucial takeaway: There isn't a fixed number of points for a "free" ticket on Southwest. The number of Rapid Rewards points required for a flight is directly related to the current cash price of that specific ticket. Think of it as a dynamic pricing model. This means a $100 flight will cost fewer points than a $300 flight, even if they're for the same route.
Generally, you'll get a value of around 1.3 cents per point when redeeming for flights, though this can vary from 1.1 cents to 1.7 cents depending on the specific flight, demand, and fare class.
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| How Many Points Do You Need To Get A Free Ticket On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Discover Your Desired Flight's Point Cost - Let's Get Searching!
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
This is where your journey to a "free" flight truly begins. Instead of asking "how many points do I need?", you should be asking, "how many points does this specific flight cost?"
1.1. Head to Southwest.com: Open your web browser and navigate to Southwest Airlines' official website.
1.2. Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account (Optional but Recommended): While you don't have to be logged in to search, it's a good practice. This allows you to immediately see your point balance and helps with quicker booking later.
1.3. Input Your Flight Details:
Select "Round Trip," "One-Way," or "Multi-City."
Enter your departure and arrival airports.
Choose your desired dates. If your dates are flexible, the Low Fare Calendar can be your best friend (more on that below!).
Select the number of passengers.
1.4. Crucial Toggle: Switch from "Dollars" to "Points": This is the magic button! Before hitting "Search," ensure you click the toggle that says "Points" instead of "Dollars." This will display the price of flights in Rapid Rewards points.
1.5. Hit "Search" and Explore Your Options: The search results will show you various flights for your chosen dates, along with the corresponding point costs. You'll notice different fare types (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select) with varying point values and benefits. The Wanna Get Away fares typically require the fewest points.
Pro Tip: Use the Low Fare Calendar! If your travel dates are flexible, Southwest's Low Fare Calendar is an invaluable tool. It allows you to see the lowest cash and point prices for an entire month, making it easier to pinpoint the cheapest days to fly. This is often where you'll find the best point redemption values.
Step 2: Understanding Southwest Fare Types and Point Earning/Redemption Rates
Southwest has different fare classes, and these directly impact how many points you earn when you buy a ticket and how many points you need to redeem for a ticket.
2.1. Wanna Get Away (and the upcoming Basic fare):
Lowest point cost for redemption. This is usually your target if you're looking for the absolute "cheapest" free flight in terms of points.
Earns fewer points per dollar when purchased with cash (e.g., 2 points per dollar for Wanna Get Away).
Note: Southwest is introducing a "Basic" fare that will replace the current Wanna Get Away fare for bookings made from May 28, 2025. This new Basic fare will have some restrictions, such as no free same-day standby.
2.2. Wanna Get Away Plus:
A step up from Wanna Get Away, offering more flexibility.
Requires more points for redemption than Wanna Get Away.
Earns more points per dollar when purchased with cash (e.g., 6 points per dollar).
2.3. Anytime:
More flexible than Wanna Get Away Plus, often fully refundable.
Requires significantly more points for redemption.
Earns more points per dollar when purchased with cash (e.g., 10 points per dollar).
2.4. Business Select:
The most expensive and flexible fare, with added perks like priority boarding and a complimentary drink.
Requires the most points for redemption.
Earns the most points per dollar when purchased with cash (e.g., 14 points per dollar).
The takeaway here: To maximize your point value for a free flight, aim for Wanna Get Away fares whenever possible.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
Step 3: Accumulating Rapid Rewards Points - Your Path to Free Flights!
Now that you know how to find the point cost, let's talk about how to get those points! There are several effective strategies.
3.1. Flying Southwest Airlines:
This is the most direct way. You earn points based on the cash price of your ticket and the fare type you purchase. As mentioned above, Business Select earns the most points per dollar, followed by Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus, and then Wanna Get Away (or Basic).
Elite Status Boost: If you achieve A-List or A-List Preferred elite status (more on this later), you'll earn bonus points on paid flights (25% for A-List, 100% for A-List Preferred), accelerating your point accumulation.
3.2. Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (Often the Fastest Way!):
Southwest partners with Chase for co-branded credit cards. These cards offer substantial sign-up bonuses that can easily get you enough points for several "free" flights.
Different Card Options: There are consumer cards (e.g., Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier, Priority) and business cards (e.g., Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business, Performance Business), each with varying annual fees, benefits, and sign-up bonuses.
Spending Categories: These cards also earn bonus points on Southwest purchases and often on other categories like local transit, commuting, internet, cable, and phone services.
Anniversary Bonuses: Many Southwest credit cards offer annual anniversary points, which provide a consistent boost to your Rapid Rewards balance.
Companion Pass Qualifying Points: A huge benefit of Southwest credit cards is that points earned from spending and sign-up bonuses count towards the coveted Companion Pass (see Step 4!).
3.3. Rapid Rewards Partners:
Hotels: Earn points by booking hotel stays with Southwest's partners like Marriott, MGM Resorts, and others.
Rental Cars: Similar to hotels, rent cars through partners to rack up points.
Shopping Portals (Rapid Rewards Shopping): Shop online at hundreds of popular retailers through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal and earn bonus points per dollar spent.
Dining Programs (Rapid Rewards Dining): Link your credit cards to the Rapid Rewards Dining program and earn points automatically when you dine at participating restaurants.
Other Partners: Southwest has various other partners, including survey sites (e-Rewards, Valued Opinions) and sometimes promotional offers with other businesses.
3.4. Transferring Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards:
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Ink Business Preferred card, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This is a fantastic option if you need to top off your Southwest account for a redemption or want to diversify your points.
Immediate Transfers: Transfers are typically immediate, which is a huge advantage when trying to book a specific flight before the point price changes.
3.5. Purchasing Points:
While generally not recommended as it often offers poor value, you can directly purchase Rapid Rewards points from Southwest if you're just a few points shy of a desired redemption. Only do this if it's truly a small gap.
Step 4: The Ultimate Free Flight Hack - The Southwest Companion Pass!
This deserves its own spotlight because it's arguably the best travel perk in the U.S. If you want to fly "free" with someone else, this is how you do it.
4.1. What is the Companion Pass? The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (you only pay their taxes and fees, which are just $5.60 one-way for domestic flights) on every single flight you take, whether you book it with cash or points. It's valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire next calendar year.
4.2. 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.
4.3. The Easiest Way to Earn the Companion Pass (Credit Card Strategy):
The most common and often easiest way to earn the 135,000 qualifying points is through Southwest credit card welcome bonuses. By strategically applying for one or two Southwest credit cards and meeting their spending requirements, you can quickly accumulate a large portion of the necessary points.
Important Note: Points earned from credit card sign-up bonuses and everyday spending on Southwest credit cards do count towards Companion Pass qualification. Points transferred from hotel or car loyalty programs, purchased points, or points transferred between members generally do not count.
Timing is Key: Try to earn the Companion Pass early in the calendar year to maximize its validity. If you earn it in January, you'll have it for almost two full years!
4.4. How to Use the Companion Pass:
Once you've earned it, log into your Rapid Rewards account and designate your Companion. You can change your Companion up to three times per calendar year.
When you book your flight (either with points or cash), go to your "My Trips" section, find your flight, and there will be an "Add Companion" link. Simply follow the instructions and pay the small taxes and fees for your Companion.
Step 5: Redeeming Your Points for a "Free" Ticket
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Congratulations, you've accumulated enough points! Here's how to book that flight.
5.1. Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Always start here.
5.2. Search for Your Flight (Select "Points"): As in Step 1, input your flight details and ensure the "Points" option is selected.
5.3. Choose Your Flight: Browse the available flights and select the one that suits your needs and point balance. Remember, Wanna Get Away fares will be the most point-efficient.
5.4. Review and Confirm: Double-check your flight details, passenger information, and the total point cost.
5.5. Pay the Taxes and Fees: While the base fare is covered by points, you will always be responsible for paying the government-imposed taxes and fees. For domestic one-way flights within the U.S., this is a very small amount, typically $5.60. International flights will have higher taxes and fees. You can pay these with a credit card or a Southwest travel voucher.
5.6. Receive Your Confirmation: Once the transaction is complete, you'll receive an email confirmation with your flight details. Enjoy your "free" flight!
Step 6: Don't Forget About Your Points!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Points Do Not Expire! This is a fantastic benefit of the program. As long as your account remains open, your points are safe. This gives you the flexibility to save up for bigger trips without worrying about losing your hard-earned points.
Monitor Your Account: Regularly check your Rapid Rewards account balance to keep track of your points and watch for any promotions or special offers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest Rapid Rewards and getting "free" flights:
How to find the cheapest flights with Southwest points? To find the cheapest flights, use Southwest's "Low Fare Calendar" on their website and select the "Points" option. This allows you to see the lowest point costs for an entire month, enabling you to choose the most cost-effective travel dates.
Tip: Reading on mobile? Zoom in for better comfort.
How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points quickly? The fastest way to earn a large number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points is by signing up for a Southwest co-branded credit card and earning its welcome bonus by meeting the minimum spending requirements. Spending on these cards and flying Southwest also adds up quickly.
How to get the Southwest Companion Pass? You can get the Southwest Companion Pass by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points within a single calendar year. The most popular method is earning the qualifying points through Southwest credit card sign-up bonuses and spending.
How to use my Southwest points for someone else? Yes, you can use your Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book a flight for anyone you choose. Simply log into your account, search for the flight, select "Points," and during the booking process, enter the passenger's information.
How to combine cash and points for a Southwest flight? Southwest offers a "Cash + Points" option for booking flights. When searching for flights and selecting a fare, you may be presented with options to pay a portion of the fare with points and the remainder with cash. You typically need a minimum of 1,000 points to use this feature.
How to check my Southwest Rapid Rewards point balance? You can check your point balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com). Your current point balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest? To transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, navigate to the "Transfer to Travel Partners" section, select Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, and enter your Rapid Rewards account number. Transfers are typically 1:1 and immediate.
How to avoid paying high taxes and fees on Southwest reward flights? For domestic flights within the U.S., the taxes and fees are minimal ($5.60 per one-way flight). For international reward flights, taxes and fees can be higher, depending on the destination. There isn't a way to avoid these government-imposed fees entirely.
How to get A-List or A-List Preferred status on Southwest? To achieve A-List status, you need to fly 20 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. For A-List Preferred, it's 40 qualifying one-way flights or 70,000 tier qualifying points. Tier qualifying points can be earned from paid flights and eligible spending on Southwest credit cards.
How to ensure my Southwest points don't expire? Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open. This policy makes it very convenient for members to save points for future travel without worrying about activity requirements.
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