Do you love to travel but find the cost of flights a constant hurdle? Especially with an airline like Southwest, known for its unique policies like "Bags Fly Free," finding even more ways to save can feel like discovering a hidden treasure chest. Well, you're in luck! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to maximize your savings and get those coveted discounts on Southwest Airlines.
Let's dive in, shall we?
Unlocking the Secrets to Southwest Savings: Your Ultimate Guide
Southwest Airlines operates a bit differently from other carriers, primarily with its open seating policy and no change fees (on most fares). These differences can actually work to your advantage when hunting for discounts!
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| How To Get Discounts On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Engage with Southwest's Digital World (and Your Inbox!)
Ready to start saving? The first and perhaps easiest step is to get plugged into Southwest's official channels. Think of it as joining the exclusive club of deal-finders!
Sign Up for Email Alerts: This is a no-brainer. Go to the Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com) and sign up for their email newsletters. Why is this so important? Because Southwest frequently announces flash sales and limited-time promotions directly to its subscribers. These sales can offer incredible discounts, but they often last for only a day or two, so quick action is key.
Follow on Social Media: Keep an eye on Southwest's official social media accounts (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.). Sometimes, they'll tease upcoming sales or even announce exclusive small deals there. Being a social media follower means you're always in the loop.
Step 2: Master the Art of Flexible Booking
Flexibility is your golden ticket to unlocking significant savings with Southwest.
Sub-heading: Embrace Off-Peak Travel:
The general rule: Flying during the week, especially Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, often yields lower fares than peak travel days like Fridays and Sundays.
Consider flying during the "off-season" for your desired destination. For instance, a beach destination might be cheaper in the fall or winter (excluding holidays), while a ski resort might be pricier during those months.
Sub-heading: Utilize the Low Fare Calendar:
Southwest's website has a fantastic tool called the Low Fare Calendar. When searching for flights, instead of inputting exact dates, look for the option to "View Low Fare Calendar" or similar. This will display a month-at-a-glance view, highlighting the lowest fares available for each day. This is incredibly powerful for visualizing the cheapest times to fly to your desired destination.
Sub-heading: Be Open to Nearby Airports:
Southwest serves many cities with multiple airports (e.g., Chicago Midway and O'Hare; Houston Hobby and Bush Intercontinental). Sometimes, flying into or out of a smaller, less popular airport in the same region can result in a considerable fare difference. Always check alternative airports within a reasonable driving distance of your origin and destination.
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
Step 3: Leverage the Power of Rapid Rewards
Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, is your best friend when it comes to long-term savings and even free flights.
Sub-heading: Join Rapid Rewards (It's Free!):
If you haven't already, sign up for Rapid Rewards immediately. It's completely free. You'll earn points on every dollar you spend on Southwest flights and through their partners.
Sub-heading: Understand Fare Class Earning Rates:
Southwest has different fare types: Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select. Each earns Rapid Rewards points at a different rate, with Basic earning the least and Business Select earning the most. While Basic fares are often the cheapest, consider if the higher points earning on other fare types might be beneficial for your travel habits in the long run.
Sub-heading: Earn Points Beyond Flying:
Southwest has numerous partners where you can earn Rapid Rewards points:
Hotels: Book hotel stays through Southwest's hotel portal.
Car Rentals: Rent cars through their car rental partners.
Shopping & Dining: Utilize the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal and Rapid Rewards Dining program for everyday purchases and restaurant visits. These can add up surprisingly fast!
Sub-heading: Keep an Eye on Point Sales:
Occasionally, Southwest offers promotions where you can buy Rapid Rewards points at a discounted rate or receive a bonus when purchasing points. While generally not the most economical way to acquire points, if you're just short of a redemption, it could be an option.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points Strategically:
The value of your Rapid Rewards points is tied to the cash price of the fare. This means when a fare drops, the number of points required for that flight also decreases. Always re-check the point price of your booked flight! If the points required decrease after you've booked, you can rebook the flight at the lower point price and get the difference refunded to your Rapid Rewards account. This is a fantastic way to "get a discount" even after you've already booked.
Step 4: The Game-Changer: The Southwest Companion Pass
This is arguably the best discount tool Southwest offers, allowing one designated person to fly with you for virtually free (you only pay taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 one-way).
Sub-heading: Understand the Requirements:
To earn the Companion Pass, you need to either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights OR earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points within a single calendar year.
Sub-heading: The Credit Card Strategy:
For most people, the easiest and fastest way to earn the Companion Pass is by applying for Southwest co-branded credit cards (personal and/or business). The sign-up bonuses from these cards often provide a substantial chunk of the 135,000 qualifying points needed.
Important Note: Be mindful of Chase's 5/24 rule if you plan to apply for multiple credit cards.
Sub-heading: Maximize Companion Pass Usage:
Once you earn the Companion Pass, it's valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year. This means if you earn it early in the year, you can get almost two full years of free companion travel!
You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Step 5: Explore Specific Discount Categories
Southwest offers some targeted discounts that might apply to you.
Sub-heading: Military and Government Fares:
Southwest does offer military and government fares for eligible personnel. These fares are not available online and must be booked by calling Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or by visiting a Southwest ticket counter. Active-duty military members also enjoy a generous baggage allowance (exempt from the two-piece limit and excess, oversize, or overweight baggage charges, provided bags don't exceed 100 lbs and 80 inches).
Sub-heading: Group Travel:
If you're traveling with a group of 10 or more people, Southwest offers Group Travel Services. You can call them at 1-800-433-5368 for potential discounts and assistance. Southwest Vacations also has a "GroupEase" program for vacation packages with specific benefits for groups of 5+ rooms.
Sub-heading: Potential for Student Discounts (Indirectly):
While Southwest doesn't typically advertise a direct student discount, some organizations or universities may have partnerships with airlines that can offer indirect savings. For example, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) offers airfare discounts on Southwest through its member benefits program. Check with any professional or academic affiliations you might have.
Sub-heading: Senior Fares (No Longer Available):
Historically, Southwest did offer senior fares, but as of recent updates (around December 2019), they no longer have a dedicated senior discount. However, older travelers can still leverage all the other discount strategies mentioned in this guide.
Step 6: Smart Booking Habits and Post-Booking Price Drops
Your booking behavior can significantly impact your final ticket price.
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
Sub-heading: Book Early, But Stay Vigilant:
Southwest typically releases its flight schedule about six months in advance. Booking early often secures lower "Wanna Get Away" fares.
However, don't just "set it and forget it." Southwest has a fantastic policy: if the fare for your flight drops after you've booked (for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares), you can change your reservation and receive the difference as a flight credit. For refundable fares (Anytime or Business Select), the difference can be refunded to your original payment method. This is a HUGE advantage unique to Southwest! Make it a habit to check the fare of your booked flight periodically.
Sub-heading: Beware of Basic Fares:
Southwest's "Basic" fare is their most restrictive and cheapest. While it can save you money upfront, Basic fares cannot be changed, and if you cancel, the credit expires in six months. For flexibility, consider Wanna Get Away Plus as a minimum, as it offers transferable flight credits and free same-day standby/changes.
Sub-heading: Package Deals:
Consider booking flight + hotel or flight + car rental packages through Southwest Vacations. Bundling can often result in overall savings compared to booking each component separately.
Step 7: The Credit Card Advantage (Beyond Companion Pass)
Southwest co-branded credit cards offer ongoing benefits that translate to savings.
Sub-heading: Annual Point Bonuses:
Many Southwest credit cards offer annual Rapid Rewards point bonuses on your card anniversary, providing a steady stream of points for future travel.
Sub-heading: In-flight Discounts:
Some premium Southwest credit cards offer a statement credit for in-flight purchases, such as drinks and Wi-Fi. This might not be a huge discount on its own, but it adds up if you frequently use these services.
Sub-heading: Travel Credits:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, for example, offers an annual travel credit that can be used for Southwest purchases, further reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Sub-heading: Free Checked Bags:
While Southwest generally offers two free checked bags to all passengers, some credit cards explicitly state this benefit for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation, providing peace of mind.
10 Related FAQ Questions (Starting with 'How to')
Here are some quick answers to common questions about saving on Southwest Airlines:
How to check for Southwest flash sales?
Sign up for Southwest's email alerts and follow their official social media accounts. Flash sales are often announced directly through these channels and last for a very limited time.
How to use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?
QuickTip: Use CTRL + F to search for keywords quickly.
On Southwest.com, when searching for flights, look for the "Low Fare Calendar" option. This will show you the cheapest fares for each day of a selected month, allowing you to pick the most affordable travel dates.
How to earn Rapid Rewards points faster?
Beyond flying, earn points by using Southwest co-branded credit cards, booking hotels and car rentals through Southwest partners, and utilizing the Rapid Rewards Shopping and Dining programs.
How to get the Southwest Companion Pass?
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. The most common way is through the sign-up bonuses of Southwest co-branded credit cards.
How to change my flight if the price drops on Southwest?
For Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select fares, log into your Southwest account, find your booking, and select the option to change or modify. If a lower fare is available, you can rebook and receive the difference as a flight credit (or refund for Anytime/Business Select).
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
How to get military discounts on Southwest Airlines?
Military and government fares are not available online. You must call Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or visit a Southwest ticket counter with a valid military ID.
How to find group discounts for Southwest Airlines?
For groups of 10 or more, call Southwest's Group Travel Services at 1-800-433-5368. For vacation packages with groups of 5+ rooms, check out Southwest Vacations' "GroupEase" program.
How to use Southwest LUV Vouchers?
LUV Vouchers are a form of payment for the flight portion of your ticket. They have an expiration date (usually one year from issuance) and can be used on Southwest.com during the booking process. Note that taxes and fees often need to be paid separately.
How to tell if my Southwest credit will expire?
Flight credits typically expire 12 months from the original booking date for most fares (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus). Always check the specific terms and conditions of your flight credit. Basic fares have a 6-month expiration from the date of cancellation.
How to avoid checked baggage fees on Southwest?
Southwest Airlines has a very generous policy: your first two checked bags fly free for all passengers, provided they meet size and weight requirements. This is a standard benefit, so you generally don't need to do anything extra to avoid these fees.
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