Unleash Your Inner Travel Hacker: A Comprehensive Guide to Earning Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Points!
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiast! Ever dreamed of flying across the country (or even internationally to some fantastic destinations!) without shelling out a fortune? What if I told you there’s a way to make your everyday spending and travel habits work for you, earning valuable points that can unlock free flights on Southwest Airlines? Well, you're in the right place! Getting points on Southwest Airlines, through their excellent Rapid Rewards program, is not just a pipe dream – it's a strategic game you can absolutely win. Let's dive in and transform you into a Southwest points pro!
Step 1: Join the Rapid Rewards Program – Your Gateway to Free Flights!
First things first, you can't earn points if you're not a member! This is the absolute foundational step, and it's completely free and takes just a few minutes.
How to Join:
Visit the Official Southwest Website: Head over to Southwest.com and look for the "Rapid Rewards" section.
Sign Up: You'll be prompted to provide some basic personal information. Make sure all your details are accurate, as this will be linked to your future travel and points accrual.
Get Your Member Number: Once registered, you'll receive a unique Rapid Rewards member number. This number is your golden ticket, so keep it handy!
Pro-Tip: Even if you only fly Southwest occasionally, signing up is a no-brainer. You never know when a quick trip might lead to a handful of points that add up over time!
Step 2: Flying with Southwest – Your Primary Points Generator
This is perhaps the most straightforward way to earn Rapid Rewards points. Every time you fly with Southwest, you're building up your point balance. However, not all flights earn points at the same rate. Southwest's system is revenue-based, meaning the more you spend on your ticket, the more points you earn.
Understanding Fare Types and Earning Rates:
Southwest offers several fare types, each with a different points multiplier:
Basic (formerly Wanna Get Away): This is their most affordable fare. You'll earn 2 points per dollar spent on the base fare. While it's budget-friendly, it offers the lowest points earning.
Wanna Get Away Plus: A newer fare type offering more flexibility. You'll earn 6 points per dollar spent. This is a great option if you want a bit more flexibility and a higher earning rate than Basic.
Anytime: These fares offer more flexibility, including full refundability. You'll earn a generous 10 points per dollar spent on the base fare.
Business Select: The highest tier fare, offering the most perks like priority boarding (A1-A15) and a complimentary premium drink. With Business Select, you'll earn a fantastic 14 points per dollar spent on the base fare.
Remember: Points are earned on the base fare of your ticket, not on taxes and fees.
Maximizing Flight Earnings:
Choose Higher Fare Classes (If it Makes Sense): While tempting to always go for the cheapest fare, consider if a higher fare class like Anytime or Business Select aligns with your travel needs and offers a significantly better points return. For business travelers, Business Select can be a points-earning powerhouse.
Book Directly with Southwest: Always book your flights directly through Southwest.com or their app to ensure proper points accrual.
Add Your Rapid Rewards Number: Crucially, make sure your Rapid Rewards number is associated with every booking. You can do this during the booking process or by adding it to an existing reservation.
Step 3: Unleash the Power of Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
For many, this is the fastest and most lucrative way to accumulate a massive amount of Southwest points. Southwest partners with Chase to offer co-branded credit cards for both personal and business use. These cards come with substantial sign-up bonuses and ongoing earning opportunities.
Personal Southwest Credit Cards:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Often comes with a solid welcome bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement. Earns points on Southwest purchases and other categories. Also offers an annual anniversary bonus.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Generally has a higher annual fee than the Plus card but offers more anniversary points and potentially better earning rates on certain categories.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The top-tier personal card, typically with the highest annual fee but packed with benefits like a Southwest travel credit, upgraded boardings, and more anniversary points. It also offers enhanced earning rates.
Business Southwest Credit Cards:
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Designed for small business owners, offering a good welcome bonus and specific spending categories that earn extra points.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: The premium business card, providing an even larger welcome bonus, more anniversary points, and valuable perks like Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
Credit Card Benefits & Strategies:
Welcome Bonuses: These are often the biggest points injections. Meeting the minimum spending requirement after opening a new card can net you tens of thousands of points.
Everyday Spending: Use your Southwest credit card for your regular purchases. While Southwest-specific purchases earn the most, many cards offer bonus points on categories like dining, local transit, and internet/cable/phone services.
Anniversary Bonuses: Most Southwest credit cards offer a bonus chunk of points each year on your cardmember anniversary, essentially offsetting a portion of the annual fee.
Refer-a-Friend Bonuses: If you have a Southwest credit card, check if Chase offers a referral program. Referring friends can earn you significant bonus points when they are approved for a card.
Important Note: Be mindful of Chase's "5/24 rule" which generally limits approvals for new credit cards if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Business cards may have different implications.
Step 4: Leverage Rapid Rewards Partners – Earn Points Beyond Flights
Southwest has a robust network of partners where you can earn points for activities you're likely doing anyway. This is a fantastic way to passively accumulate points.
Sub-heading: Hotel Partners
Southwest partners with major hotel chains, allowing you to earn Rapid Rewards points for your stays.
Marriott Bonvoy: Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Rapid Rewards accounts to earn points on qualifying stays. You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Rapid Rewards, though typically at a less favorable ratio.
Choice Hotels: Similarly, you can exchange Choice Privileges points for Rapid Rewards points.
Hyatt, Best Western, MGM Resorts, Radisson Hotels: Check the Southwest Rapid Rewards website for specific earning details and current promotions with these partners.
Sub-heading: Car Rental Partners
Need a car for your trip? Book through Southwest's car rental partners and earn points.
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Thrifty: Each partner has its own earning structure, so compare before you book.
Sub-heading: Shopping & Dining Partners
This is where everyday activities become point-earning opportunities!
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: This is a must-use tool. Before making any online purchases, visit the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, search for your desired retailer (there are hundreds!), and click through their link. You'll earn points per dollar spent at participating stores. Always check this first!
Rapid Rewards Dining: Enroll your credit cards with Rapid Rewards Dining. When you dine at participating restaurants and pay with an enrolled card, you'll automatically earn points. Remember to opt-in for email communication to earn higher rates.
Specialty Retailers: Southwest partners with various specialty retailers like 1-800-Flowers, Harry & David, and more, offering bonus points on qualifying purchases. Keep an eye out for these promotions!
Sub-heading: Home & Energy Partners
Believe it or not, some utility and home service providers can also earn you points!
Check the Southwest website for current partners in this category, as they can vary by region.
Step 5: Boost Your Earnings with Strategic Maneuvers
Beyond the regular earning methods, there are several savvy ways to accelerate your point accumulation.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards
This is a game-changer for many!
Chase Ultimate Rewards: If you hold a premium Chase credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This provides incredible flexibility, as Ultimate Rewards points are highly versatile.
Sub-heading: Taking Advantage of Promotions
Southwest frequently runs promotions for bonus points on flights, partner activities, or credit card spending.
Sign Up for Emails: Make sure you're subscribed to Southwest's Rapid Rewards emails to be notified of limited-time offers.
Check the Promotions Page: Regularly visit the "Promotions" section on the Southwest Rapid Rewards website.
Sub-heading: Buying, Gifting, or Transferring Points
While generally not recommended as a primary earning strategy due to the high cost, it's an option in a pinch.
Buying Points: You can purchase Rapid Rewards points directly from Southwest, usually in increments. This is typically expensive, but can be useful if you're just short of a redemption.
Gifting Points: You can buy points and gift them to another Rapid Rewards member.
Transferring Points: You can transfer points from your account to another Rapid Rewards member's account, often for a fee.
Sub-heading: Earning Points Through Surveys
Yes, even your opinions can earn you points!
Rewards for Opinions: This program allows you to earn Southwest points by completing online surveys. It's a slow burn, but every point counts!
Step 6: Understanding Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Status
While not directly about earning redeemable points, achieving elite status significantly enhances your Southwest travel experience and boosts your point-earning potential.
How to Earn Status:
A-List: Earn 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or fly 20 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
A-List Preferred: Earn 70,000 TQPs or fly 40 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are earned primarily from paid flights (at the same rate as redeemable points) and also from spending on certain Southwest co-branded credit cards (e.g., 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent on eligible cards).
Status Benefits (and Points Impact):
A-List: Benefits include priority boarding, a 25% earning bonus on qualifying flights, same-day standby, and dedicated A-List phone lines. The 25% bonus means you'll earn more redeemable points per flight!
A-List Preferred: All A-List benefits, plus a 100% earning bonus (doubling your points on qualifying flights!), two free checked bags, free in-flight internet, and a dedicated A-List Preferred phone line. This 100% bonus is a massive points accelerator.
Step 7: The Holy Grail: The Southwest Companion Pass
This is arguably the most valuable perk in domestic travel. The Companion Pass allows a designated person to fly with you for free (you only pay taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight you book, whether with points or cash, for the entire year you earn it and the entire following calendar year!
How to Earn the Companion Pass:
To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
Companion Pass Qualifying Points:
Crucially, not all points count towards the Companion Pass. The following do count:
Points earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest.
Points earned from Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (including sign-up bonuses and everyday spending).
Base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners (e.g., hotels, car rentals, Rapid Rewards Shopping/Dining).
Points that do not count include purchased points, gifted points, transferred points, and points converted from Chase Ultimate Rewards (though this is where the strategy comes in - you can earn the Companion Pass from credit card sign-up bonuses, and then transfer Ultimate Rewards points for flights later).
Strategic Companion Pass Earning:
Credit Card Strategy: The most common and effective way to earn the Companion Pass is by applying for one or two Southwest co-branded credit cards (personal and/or business) and earning their sign-up bonuses. Timing this correctly is key – aim to meet the spending requirements early in the calendar year to maximize the Companion Pass duration.
10,000 Point Boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each calendar year. This is a great head start!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about Southwest points, with quick answers:
How to Check My Southwest Rapid Rewards Points Balance?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or via the Southwest mobile app. Your current points balance will be prominently displayed on your dashboard.
How to Use Southwest Rapid Rewards Points for Flights?
When searching for flights on Southwest.com, select the "Points" option instead of "Dollars" before hitting search. This will display the cost of flights in points, allowing you to book directly with your accumulated points.
How to Know the Value of My Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?
Southwest points generally have a relatively stable value, often around 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point, though this can vary slightly based on the fare type and dynamic pricing. To calculate, divide the cash price of a flight by the number of points required for the same flight.
How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Southwest?
Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, navigate to the "Transfer to Travel Partners" section, select Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, and input the desired number of points to transfer. Transfers are typically 1:1 and instant.
How to Earn Southwest Points from Hotel Stays?
Link your Rapid Rewards account with Southwest's hotel partners (like Marriott Bonvoy or Choice Hotels) and select to earn Rapid Rewards points for your qualifying stays. Alternatively, you can sometimes convert hotel loyalty points to Rapid Rewards.
How to Get Southwest Points for Online Shopping?
Always start your online shopping at the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. Search for your desired retailer, click through the portal's link, and make your purchase as usual. Points will be credited to your Rapid Rewards account.
How to Earn Southwest A-List Status Faster?
Besides flying frequently, consider opening a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card that offers Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) for spending (e.g., 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent).
How to Qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass Most Easily?
The most common and efficient way is to earn the required 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points by opening one or more Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and meeting their substantial sign-up bonus spending requirements.
How to Add My Rapid Rewards Number to an Existing Booking?
You can usually add your Rapid Rewards number when you manage your trip online or through the Southwest app. If that doesn't work, contact Southwest Customer Service directly.
How to Prevent My Southwest Rapid Rewards Points from Expiring?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open. However, if you close your account, your points will be terminated.