Have you ever dreamt of free flights, priority boarding, and earning points on everyday purchases that bring your next vacation closer? Well, that dream can become a reality with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards! It's their fantastic loyalty program designed to reward you for choosing Southwest.
Signing up is completely free and opens up a world of travel benefits. Whether you're a frequent flyer or plan to take a few trips a year, being a Rapid Rewards member will enhance your travel experience and save you money in the long run. Let's dive into how you can join this rewarding program!
Step 1: Discover the Official Southwest Rapid Rewards Enrollment Page
Are you ready to unlock a new way to travel? The very first step is to navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website. It's crucial to always use the official site to ensure your personal information is secure.
Sub-heading: Finding Your Way
Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.).
In the address bar, type
www.southwest.com. This will take you directly to the Southwest Airlines homepage.Once on the homepage, look for a section related to "Rapid Rewards" or "Loyalty Program." This is typically found in the top navigation bar or the footer of the website. It might be labeled "Rapid Rewards," "Enroll," or "Sign Up."
Step 2: Initiate the Enrollment Process
You're on the right track! Now that you've found the Rapid Rewards section, it's time to begin the enrollment.
Sub-heading: Clicking Your Way to Rewards
Click on the link that prompts you to enroll or create an account for Rapid Rewards. This will usually take you to a dedicated enrollment page.
You might see a prompt asking if you already have an account. Since you're signing up for the first time, you'll want to select the option for new members.
Step 3: Provide Your Personal Information
This step is all about telling Southwest Airlines who you are so they can create your unique Rapid Rewards account. Accuracy is key here to ensure your points are properly credited!
Sub-heading: Filling in the Blanks
You'll be asked to provide essential personal details. This typically includes:
First Name: Enter your legal first name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID (e.g., passport, driver's license).
Last Name: Enter your legal last name, again, precisely as it appears on your ID.
Date of Birth: Select your birth month, day, and year from the dropdown menus.
Gender: Choose your gender.
Address: Provide your current mailing address, including street, city, state/province, and postal code.
Country: Select your country of residence.
Phone Number: Enter a valid contact phone number.
Email Address: This is critical! Provide an email address you check regularly, as this will be used for communication, account verification, and possibly for login. You'll likely need to confirm it by re-entering it.
Double-check all the information you've entered. A small typo here can cause issues later on with earning or redeeming points.
Step 4: Create Your Account Credentials
To access your Rapid Rewards account online, you'll need a unique username and a strong password.
Sub-heading: Securing Your Account
Username: Choose a username that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. It often needs to be unique, so you might need to try a few options. The system will usually tell you if a username is available.
Password: This is where security comes in! Create a strong password that includes a mix of:
Uppercase letters (A, B, C...)
Lowercase letters (a, b, c...)
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Special characters (!, @, #, $, %, etc.)
Aim for a minimum of 8-16 characters.
You will be asked to confirm your password by re-entering it to ensure there are no typos.
It's a good practice to write down your username and password in a secure place, especially if you're prone to forgetting them.
Step 5: Review and Submit Your Enrollment
You're almost there! This is the final check before you become a Rapid Rewards member.
Sub-heading: The Final Review
Carefully review all the information you've provided on the enrollment form. Look for any errors or omissions.
Read the terms and conditions and the privacy policy of the Rapid Rewards program. It's important to understand how the program works, how your points are earned and redeemed, and how your data will be used. You'll usually need to check a box to indicate your agreement.
Once you are satisfied with everything, click the "Submit" or "Enroll" button.
Step 6: Confirmation and Welcome!
Congratulations! If all the information was entered correctly, you should now be a proud Rapid Rewards member.
Sub-heading: Welcome to the Club!
You should see a confirmation message on your screen indicating that your enrollment was successful.
You will also likely receive a welcome email to the email address you provided. This email will contain your Rapid Rewards account number. Keep this number handy!
Your Rapid Rewards points will never expire, which is a fantastic benefit!
Step 7: Explore Your New Account and Start Earning
Now that you're a member, it's time to get familiar with your new account and start planning how to earn those valuable points.
Sub-heading: Navigating Your Rapid Rewards Dashboard
Log in to your newly created Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com using your username and password.
Explore your personal dashboard. Here you can:
View your point balance.
Track your progress towards A-List or A-List Preferred status (more on that later!).
Update your profile information.
Manage your preferences.
Link your account to partners (e.g., hotels, rental cars, shopping portals) to earn even more points.
Sub-heading: Strategies for Earning Points
Fly Southwest: This is the most direct way to earn points. The number of points you earn per dollar spent depends on the fare type:
Business Select: Earns the most points per dollar.
Anytime: Earns a good amount of points per dollar.
Wanna Get Away Plus: Offers a solid earning rate.
Basic: Earns the fewest points per dollar.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: Consider applying for a Southwest co-branded credit card from Chase. These cards offer significant welcome bonuses, anniversary points, and accelerated earning rates on Southwest purchases and other categories. Some even give you a boost towards Companion Pass qualification.
Rapid Rewards Partners: Southwest has numerous partners where you can earn points, including:
Hotels: Book stays with partner hotels.
Rental Cars: Rent cars from affiliated companies.
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Shop online at hundreds of retailers and earn points per dollar spent.
Rapid Rewards Dining: Link your credit cards and earn points when dining at participating restaurants.
Southwest Vacations: Earn extra Rapid Rewards points when you book vacation packages.
Buy, Gift, or Transfer Points: While generally not the best value, you can purchase points, gift them to other members, or transfer them.
Step 8: Understanding Rapid Rewards Tiers and Companion Pass
Beyond just earning points, Rapid Rewards offers elite status levels and a highly coveted Companion Pass that can supercharge your travel benefits.
Sub-heading: A-List and A-List Preferred Status
Achieving A-List or A-List Preferred status comes with fantastic perks like:
Priority Boarding: Get a better boarding position for yourself and others on your reservation.
Bonus Points: Earn a percentage of bonus points on paid flights (25% for A-List, 100% for A-List Preferred).
Same-Day Standby: The ability to fly standby for an earlier flight on the same day without additional fees.
Priority Lane Access: Expedited check-in and security where available.
Free Inflight WiFi: (A-List Preferred only)
You earn these tiers by flying a certain number of qualifying one-way flights or earning a specific amount of "Tier Qualifying Points" (TQPs) within a calendar year. TQPs can be earned from flying, Southwest credit card spending, and certain partner activities.
Sub-heading: The Legendary Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks available! It allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (you only pay taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight, whether you book with cash or points, for the entire year you earn it and the entire following calendar year.
To earn the Companion Pass, you need to either:
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. These points come from flying, Southwest credit card welcome offers and spending, and certain partner earnings.
Step 9: Redeeming Your Hard-Earned Points
The most exciting part! Putting those points to good use.
Sub-heading: Booking Flights with Points
Southwest's redemption system is simple and straightforward: the number of points required for a flight is generally tied to the cash price of that flight. When cash fares are lower, so are the points needed.
To redeem:
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
When searching for flights, select the option to "Show fares in points."
Browse available flights and select the one that suits your travel plans.
Complete the booking process. You will only be responsible for paying applicable taxes and fees, which are usually minimal for domestic flights.
No blackout dates or seat restrictions means if a seat is available for sale, you can book it with points!
Southwest also offers "Cash + Points" bookings, allowing you to use a combination of cash and points.
Sub-heading: Other Redemption Options
While flights offer the best value for your points, you can also redeem them for:
Gift cards
Merchandise
Hotel stays
Experiences
Rapid Rewards Access Events (exclusive for credit cardholders)
Pay Yourself Back (for credit cardholders, using points for statement credits)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check my Rapid Rewards point balance?
You can easily check your Rapid Rewards point balance by logging into your account on Southwest.com or via the Southwest mobile app. Your current points will be displayed prominently on your dashboard.
How to earn Rapid Rewards points faster?
To earn points faster, consider applying for a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card, which offers large welcome bonuses and accelerated earning on Southwest purchases. Also, utilize the Rapid Rewards Shopping and Dining portals for everyday spending, and book flights with higher fare classes.
How to find my Rapid Rewards account number?
Your Rapid Rewards account number is included in your welcome email after signing up. You can also find it by logging into your account on Southwest.com; it's typically displayed near your name or profile information.
How to use Rapid Rewards points for someone else?
You can use your Rapid Rewards points to book a flight for anyone you choose. Simply log into your account, search for flights, and during the booking process, enter the passenger's information. The points will be deducted from your account.
How to get the Southwest Companion Pass?
To get the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. Points earned from Southwest credit card welcome bonuses and spending are often the quickest way to achieve this.
How to link a credit card to Rapid Rewards Dining?
Visit the Rapid Rewards Dining website, sign up for free, and then link your eligible credit and debit cards to your account. When you dine at participating restaurants and pay with your linked card, you'll automatically earn points.
How to merge multiple Rapid Rewards accounts?
If you accidentally created multiple Rapid Rewards accounts, you should contact Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards customer service directly. They can assist you with merging your accounts and consolidating your points.
How to contact Southwest Rapid Rewards customer service?
You can contact Southwest Rapid Rewards customer service by calling 1-800-445-5764. Their contact information can also be found on the "Contact Us" or "Help Center" section of the Southwest.com website.
How to cancel or change a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points?
Southwest Airlines has a flexible policy. You can cancel or change a flight booked with Rapid Rewards points without incurring change fees. If you cancel, the points will be redeposited into your account. Changes may involve a difference in points or payment for taxes/fees. You can do this online through your account or by calling customer service.
How to understand the value of my Rapid Rewards points?
The value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points is generally tied to the cash price of the flight. As of mid-2025, they typically hold a value of around 1.3 cents per point, though this can fluctuate slightly based on demand and fare sales. To maximize value, look for flights where the points redemption rate is higher.
