So, you want to unlock the magic of free flights and fantastic travel perks with Southwest Airlines? Excellent choice! Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is renowned for its straightforward approach, with points that never expire and no blackout dates on reward flights. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every single step to accumulating a mountain of Southwest Rapid Rewards points, transforming your travel dreams into reality.
The Ultimate Guide to Earning Southwest Airlines Points
Ready to dive in and start building your point empire? Let's go!
Step 1: Join the Rapid Rewards Program – Your First and Most Crucial Step!
Before you can earn a single point, you absolutely must be a Rapid Rewards member. This isn't just a suggestion; it's the gateway to all the amazing earning opportunities that follow.
Sub-heading: How to Enroll
It's incredibly simple and completely free to sign up.
Visit the Southwest Airlines website: Navigate to Southwest.com and look for the "Rapid Rewards" section.
Click "Enroll Now": You'll be prompted to fill out a quick form with your basic information.
Receive your Rapid Rewards number: Once registered, you'll get a unique Rapid Rewards number. This is your personal identifier for all your point-earning activities. Keep it handy!
Step 2: Fly with Southwest Airlines – The Obvious (But Important) Way
The most direct way to earn Rapid Rewards points is by flying on Southwest Airlines. The number of points you earn per dollar spent depends on the type of fare you purchase.
Sub-heading: Understanding Fare Types and Earning Rates
Southwest offers several fare categories, each with a different earning multiplier:
Basic: Earns 2 points per dollar spent. This is Southwest's most affordable fare.
Wanna Get Away Plus®: Earns 6 points per dollar spent. This fare offers more flexibility, including transferable flight credits.
Anytime: Earns 10 points per dollar spent. This mid-tier fare provides greater flexibility and benefits like priority lane access.
Business Select®: Earns a generous 14 points per dollar spent. This is Southwest's premium fare, loaded with perks like priority boarding (A1-A15), free in-flight internet, and complimentary premium drinks.
Pro Tip: Always make sure your Rapid Rewards number is attached to your reservation when booking flights to ensure your points are credited!
Step 3: Leverage Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards – The Fastest Path to Big Points
For many, the quickest and most lucrative way to accumulate Southwest points is through their co-branded credit cards offered by Chase. These cards come with substantial welcome bonuses and ongoing earning opportunities.
Sub-heading: Personal Southwest Credit Cards
Chase offers several personal Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Often has a solid welcome bonus and earns 2x points on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services. All other purchases earn 1x point. It comes with an annual anniversary bonus.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Generally offers a higher welcome bonus and earns 3x points on Southwest purchases, and 2x points on various other categories, including Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. It also provides an annual anniversary bonus and no foreign transaction fees.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This is often considered the top-tier personal card, featuring a strong welcome bonus, 3x points on Southwest purchases, and 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. Key benefits include an annual Southwest travel credit, upgraded boardings, and an annual anniversary bonus.
Sub-heading: Business Southwest Credit Cards
For business owners, there are also dedicated Southwest business credit cards:
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Offers 3x points on Southwest purchases, and 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), among other categories.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: This card typically boasts the highest earning rates, with 4x points on Southwest purchases, 3x on hotel and car rental partners, and 2x on rideshare, social media, search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services. It also includes valuable benefits like Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and accelerated A-List status earning.
Remember: Welcome bonuses are often a one-time opportunity per card, so strategize when to apply! Also, be mindful of Chase's 5/24 rule if you're applying for multiple credit cards.
Step 4: Maximize Earnings with Chase Ultimate Rewards – A Powerful Transfer Partner
While not a direct Southwest point-earning method, Chase Ultimate Rewards is an incredibly valuable currency because you can transfer them to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This means your spending on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® can directly contribute to your Southwest point balance.
Sub-heading: How to Transfer Points
Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
Navigate to "Transfer points to partners."
Select Southwest Rapid Rewards.
Enter your Southwest Rapid Rewards number and the number of points you wish to transfer. Transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points.
Confirm the transfer. Most transfers to Southwest are instant, making this a fantastic option for last-minute bookings.
Consider This: While transferring is great, sometimes booking through the Chase Travel portal can require fewer points and still allow you to earn Rapid Rewards points on the ticket. Evaluate your options!
Step 5: Shop and Dine Your Way to Points – Everyday Spending Made Rewarding
Southwest partners with various merchants and dining establishments to help you earn points on your everyday purchases.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
This is an online shopping portal where you can earn bonus points for purchases made at hundreds of popular retailers.
Visit rapidrewardsshopping.southwest.com.
Log in with your Rapid Rewards account.
Search for your desired retailer.
Click through the link to the retailer's website. It's crucial to click through the portal every time to ensure your purchase is tracked.
Make your purchase as usual. Points will typically post to your account within a few weeks.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Dining Program
Enroll in the dining program to earn points when you dine at participating restaurants.
Go to rapidrewardsdining.com.
Sign up and link your credit and/or debit cards.
Dine at a participating restaurant and pay with your linked card.
Earn points automatically. You can earn more points per dollar if you opt-in to receive email notifications from the program. Look out for new member bonuses!
Step 6: Explore Travel Partners – Hotels and Car Rentals
Southwest has partnerships with various hotel chains and car rental companies, allowing you to earn Rapid Rewards points for your stays and rentals.
Sub-heading: Hotel Partners
While the earning rates vary, many major hotel brands like Marriott Bonvoy and Rocketmiles allow you to earn Southwest points. Always check the specific terms and conditions of each partnership. Often, you'll need to select Southwest Rapid Rewards as your preferred earning currency when booking or staying.
Sub-heading: Car Rental Partners
Similarly, car rental companies often offer bonus points for Southwest Rapid Rewards members. Be sure to provide your Rapid Rewards number when making your reservation or at the counter.
Step 7: Consider Other Specialty Partners and Promotions – Don't Miss Out!
Southwest frequently offers promotions and has partnerships with various specialty merchants.
Sub-heading: Home and Energy Partners
Sometimes, switching energy providers or using specific home services can earn you Rapid Rewards points. Keep an eye on the "Partners" section of the Southwest website.
Sub-heading: Other Retailers and Services
From flower delivery services like 1-800-Flowers to wine clubs, various companies have partnered with Southwest to offer points. Always check the Southwest website for the latest offers.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Promotions
Southwest regularly runs promotions that can significantly boost your point earnings. These might include:
Bonus points for specific flight routes.
Increased earning rates with credit cards or partners.
Opportunities to earn bonus points for completing certain activities.
Sign up for Southwest's email list to stay informed about these valuable promotions.
Step 8: Earning Through Business Travel – For the Corporate Traveler
If you travel for business, Southwest offers a dedicated program called Rapid Rewards Business. This allows your company to earn a separate bank of points while your individual travelers still earn their personal Rapid Rewards points.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Business Program
Company ID: Your business needs a dedicated Southwest Company ID.
Earning Rates: Companies earn points based on the fare type booked:
Business Select®: 4 points per dollar
Anytime: 3 points per dollar
Wanna Get Away Plus®: 2 points per dollar
Note: Basic fares do not earn Rapid Rewards Business points.
This is a fantastic way for businesses to offset travel expenses while simultaneously benefiting their employees.
Step 9: Consider Buying or Gifting Points – A Last Resort, But an Option
While generally not the most cost-effective method due to the higher price per point, you can directly buy Southwest Rapid Rewards points if you're just shy of a redemption. You can also gift points to another Rapid Rewards member.
Buy Points: You can purchase points directly through your Rapid Rewards account. Look out for promotional sales, as they can sometimes offer a better value.
Gift Points: Share your points with friends or family who are also Rapid Rewards members.
Important Note: Purchased points do not count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status.
Step 10: Reach for Elite Status (A-List and A-List Preferred) – Accelerate Your Earnings
Achieving elite status with Southwest Rapid Rewards not only provides fantastic travel perks but also significantly boosts your point earning rate.
Sub-heading: A-List Status
To achieve A-List status, you need to fly 25 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) in a calendar year. Benefits include:
Priority boarding
25% earning bonus on eligible revenue flights
Same-day standby
Priority Lane and Express Lane access
Sub-heading: A-List Preferred Status
For A-List Preferred status, you'll need to fly 40 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 TQPs in a calendar year. You get all the A-List benefits, plus:
100% earning bonus on eligible revenue flights (effectively doubling your flight points!)
Free in-flight Wi-Fi
Up to two complimentary premium drinks
Sub-heading: Earning Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)
Flying: As mentioned above, paying for flights earns you TQPs.
Southwest Credit Card Spending: Certain Southwest credit cards allow you to earn TQPs for every dollar spent. For example, some cards earn 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. This can be a game-changer for reaching elite status without flying as frequently.
The Companion Pass: While not a direct point-earning method, achieving the Southwest Companion Pass (by earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights) is the ultimate Southwest perk. It allows one designated person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on any flight you take, whether paid or redeemed with points. Points earned from revenue flights, Southwest credit card spending, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners all count towards the Companion Pass.
By systematically incorporating these strategies into your travel and spending habits, you'll be well on your way to accumulating a substantial amount of Southwest Rapid Rewards points, opening up a world of free and discounted travel. Happy earning!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Check My Southwest Rapid Rewards Points Balance?
You can easily check your Rapid Rewards points balance by logging into your account on the Southwest Airlines website or through the Southwest mobile app. Your balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to Make Sure My Points Don't Expire?
Great news! Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. As long as your account remains open, your points are safe.
How to Transfer Points to Another Rapid Rewards Member?
You can transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member by logging into your account on the Southwest Airlines website and navigating to the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section. Select "Transfer points" and follow the prompts. A fee may apply.
How to Earn Points for Business Travel?
Enroll your business in the Rapid Rewards Business program. Your company will earn points based on fare types booked through your dedicated Southwest Company ID, while individual travelers still earn their personal points.
How to Redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?
You can redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points for flights on Southwest Airlines through their website or app. Simply select "Points" as your payment method when searching for flights. The number of points required for a flight is tied to the cash price of the fare.
How to Get the Southwest Companion Pass?
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. Points earned from revenue flights and Southwest credit card spending both count towards this goal.
How to Earn Points Without Flying?
You can earn Southwest points without flying through various methods, including using a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, dining with Rapid Rewards Dining, and utilizing other travel and specialty partners.
How to Link My Credit Card to Rapid Rewards Dining?
Visit rapidrewardsdining.com, sign up for the program, and then register your credit and/or debit cards. Once linked, simply use those cards at participating restaurants to earn points automatically.
How to Find Participating Retailers for Rapid Rewards Shopping?
Go to rapidrewardsshopping.southwest.com and browse the list of over 800 participating retailers. You can also search for specific stores. Remember to click through the portal to ensure your purchases are tracked for points.
How to Earn More Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)?
You earn TQPs by flying on eligible Southwest flights. Additionally, many Southwest co-branded credit cards allow you to earn TQPs for a certain amount of spending, accelerating your path to A-List or A-List Preferred status.
