Getting a "free" flight on Southwest Airlines is a fantastic goal for any traveler, and with their unique Rapid Rewards program, it's definitely achievable! Unlike many airlines that use complicated award charts, Southwest ties the number of points needed directly to the cash price of the ticket. This means that the cheaper the cash fare, the fewer points you'll need.
So, how many points does it really take? The answer is: it varies! But don't worry, we're going to break down everything you need to know to estimate, earn, and redeem your way to your next adventure.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Earning and Redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards for Free Flights
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| How Many Points Does It Take To Get A Free Flight On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Soar? Join Rapid Rewards!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of points, tell me – are you already a Southwest Rapid Rewards member? If not, that's your very first, and most crucial, step! It's completely free and takes just a few minutes. Without an account, you can't earn or redeem any points.
Action: Head over to the Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com) and sign up for a Rapid Rewards account. You'll get a unique account number that you'll use for all your point-earning activities.
Why is this so important? Because every point you earn, whether from flying, credit card spending, or partner activities, needs a home, and that home is your Rapid Rewards account!
Step 2: Understanding the Rapid Rewards System - It's All About Value!
Southwest's Rapid Rewards program operates on a revenue-based redemption system. This means the number of points required for a "free" flight is directly tied to the cash price of that flight. There's no fixed award chart where a flight from City A to City B always costs X points.
Sub-heading: The Value of a Southwest Point
Generally, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are valued at around 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for flights. This means if a flight costs $100, you'll need approximately 6,700 to 7,700 points for it.
Key takeaway: When the cash price of a flight goes down, so does the number of points required. This is a huge advantage, especially during Southwest's frequent fare sales!
Sub-heading: Fare Types and Point Earning/Redemption
Southwest offers several fare types, and these influence both how many points you earn per dollar spent and how many points it costs to redeem.
Basic (new as of May 28, 2025): This is the most restrictive fare, offering 2 points per dollar on the base fare. It's typically the cheapest in cash and points.
Wanna Get Away Plus: Earns 6 points per dollar on the base fare. Offers more flexibility than Basic.
Anytime: Earns 10 points per dollar on the base fare. These fares are more flexible and often refundable.
Business Select: Earns 14 points per dollar on the base fare. This is the most expensive fare, offering premium benefits like priority boarding (A1-A15) and a complimentary premium drink.
When redeeming points, you'll see the point cost for each of these fare types. As you might guess, a Business Select fare will require significantly more points than a Basic or Wanna Get Away Plus fare for the same flight.
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
Step 3: Estimating Points for Your Desired Flight
Since there's no fixed chart, how do you figure out how many points you'll need? It's surprisingly simple!
Sub-heading: Use the Southwest Website's "Points" View
Go to Southwest.com: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
Search for Flights: Enter your departure and arrival cities, dates, and number of passengers.
Select "Points" Option: Before you hit "Search," make sure to select the "Points" radio button above the search form.
Browse Results: The search results will display the number of points required for each flight and fare type (Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select).
Voila! You'll instantly see how many points that particular flight costs. This is the most accurate way to determine the point cost for your desired itinerary.
Sub-heading: The "Low Fare Calendar" Advantage
If your travel dates are flexible, the Southwest Low Fare Calendar is your best friend. It allows you to see the lowest cash and point fares across an entire month, making it incredibly easy to find the sweet spot for a "free" flight.
Tip: Look for dates where the cash price is low, as these will also have the lowest point redemption rates.
Step 4: Strategies for Accumulating Rapid Rewards Points
Now that you know how redemption works, let's talk about how to get those points in your account!
Sub-heading: Flying Southwest Airlines
This is the most direct way to earn points. As mentioned, the number of points you earn per dollar spent depends on the fare type you purchase:
Basic: 2 points per dollar
Wanna Get Away Plus: 6 points per dollar
Anytime: 10 points per dollar
Business Select: 14 points per dollar
The higher the fare class, the faster you'll accumulate points.
QuickTip: Use CTRL + F to search for keywords quickly.
Sub-heading: Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
This is arguably the fastest and most lucrative way to earn a large number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Chase offers several co-branded Southwest credit cards, both personal and business, that come with generous sign-up bonuses.
Example: A typical sign-up bonus could be anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000 points after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. These bonuses alone can be enough for multiple "free" flights!
Ongoing Earnings: These cards also offer bonus points on Southwest purchases and often on everyday spending categories like dining, gas, or rideshares.
Always read the terms and conditions carefully before applying for any credit card.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
This is a fantastic way to earn points on purchases you're already making.
Visit the Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Log in with your Rapid Rewards account.
Shop Through the Portal: Find your favorite online retailers (there are hundreds!) and click through the portal to their website.
Earn Points: You'll earn a certain number of points per dollar spent at that retailer. Offers vary, but you can often find deals for 2x, 5x, or even 10x points per dollar.
It's like getting paid to shop!
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Dining Program
Similar to the shopping portal, this program lets you earn points when you dine at participating restaurants.
Link Your Credit Cards: Register your credit and debit cards with Rapid Rewards Dining.
Dine Out: Use your linked card at participating restaurants.
Earn Points: Points are automatically credited to your Rapid Rewards account. You can often earn bonus points for opting into email communications.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you have 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 offers incredible flexibility and can be a lifesaver if you're just short of the points needed for a flight.
Sub-heading: Southwest Partners (Hotels, Rental Cars, etc.)
Southwest has various partners, including hotels and rental car companies, where you can earn Rapid Rewards points for your bookings. Check the Southwest website for a full list of partners and their earning rates.
Step 5: Booking Your "Free" Flight with Points
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
Once you have enough points, booking your flight is a breeze!
Log In to Southwest.com: Access your Rapid Rewards account.
Search for Your Flight: As in Step 3, make sure to select the "Points" option for your search.
Select Your Desired Flight: Choose the flight and fare type that best suits your needs and point balance.
Review and Confirm: You'll see the total points required, plus any government-imposed taxes and fees (typically $5.60 per one-way flight within the U.S.). These taxes and fees cannot be paid with points and must be paid with a credit card or other eligible payment method.
Enjoy Your Flight!
Sub-heading: Flexibility with Point Redemptions
No Blackout Dates: One of the best features of Rapid Rewards is that there are no blackout dates for reward flights. If there's a seat available for purchase with cash, you can book it with points.
Unlimited Reward Seats: Southwest offers unlimited reward seats. This means as long as there's a seat on the plane, you can use your points for it.
Free Changes and Cancellations: Southwest is renowned for its flexible change and cancellation policy. If you need to change or cancel a flight booked with points, the points will be redeposited into your account, and any taxes/fees refunded, usually without any penalty. This is a huge advantage over many other airlines!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to calculate the exact number of points for a specific Southwest flight?
To calculate the exact number of points, log in to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, search for your desired flight, and select the "Points" option. The system will display the precise point cost for all available fares on that flight.
How to find the cheapest "free" flights on Southwest?
The cheapest "free" flights on Southwest are found by looking for dates with the lowest cash fares. Use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar on their website, toggle to the "Points" view, and identify the dates with the lowest point requirements. Being flexible with your travel dates is key.
How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points quickly?
The fastest way to earn a large number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points is by applying for a Southwest co-branded credit card from Chase and earning the sign-up bonus. Additionally, maximize your everyday spending by using your Southwest credit card and shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
How to transfer points to Southwest Rapid Rewards?
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio if you have a premium Chase credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve. Simply log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account and select Southwest as your transfer partner.
How to use Southwest points for things other than flights?
While flights offer the best value, you can also redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points for gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, rental cars, and exclusive Cardmember experiences through the Southwest More Rewards program. However, the value per point for these redemptions is typically lower than for flights.
How to avoid paying taxes and fees on Southwest reward flights?
You cannot avoid paying the mandatory government-imposed taxes and fees (currently $5.60 per one-way flight within the U.S.) on Southwest reward flights. These must be paid separately with a credit card or other eligible payment method.
How to earn Southwest Companion Pass and what are its benefits?
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (just pay taxes/fees) on any Southwest flight, whether you pay with cash or points. To earn it, you need to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year.
How to check my Southwest Rapid Rewards point balance?
You can check your Southwest Rapid Rewards point balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or through the Southwest mobile app. Your current point balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to keep my Southwest Rapid Rewards points from expiring?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. This is a significant benefit of the program, so you never have to worry about losing your hard-earned points.
How to combine Rapid Rewards points with other family members?
Southwest's Rapid Rewards program does not allow pooling or combining points with other members. Each individual must earn and redeem points from their own account. However, you can book flights for others using your points from your account.
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