Oh, the quest for a complimentary beverage in the skies! There's nothing quite like enjoying a free drink on a flight to make your journey just a little bit sweeter. If you're wondering how to get Southwest Airlines drink coupons, you've landed in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every possible avenue to quench that thirst without opening your wallet mid-flight.
Let's dive in!
The Ultimate Guide: How to Get Southwest Airlines Drink Coupons
Getting Southwest Airlines drink coupons isn't always straightforward, as they aren't something you can typically purchase directly. Instead, they're often a perk, a reward, or a gesture of goodwill. Understanding the different ways to acquire them is key.
Step 1: Are You Already a Rapid Rewards Member? (If not, let's fix that first!)
Before we go any further, are you a member of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program? If not, stop everything and enroll right now! This is the most fundamental step in potentially receiving drink coupons and unlocking a world of other travel benefits with Southwest. It's free to join, and it's the primary way Southwest recognizes and rewards its loyal customers.
How to Enroll:
Visit the official Southwest Airlines website.
Look for the "Rapid Rewards" section or "Enroll Now."
Follow the prompts to create your free account. It only takes a few minutes!
Why is this so important? Many avenues for earning drink coupons are directly tied to your Rapid Rewards membership and activity.
Step 2: Leverage Your Rapid Rewards Membership for Drink Coupons
Once you're a Rapid Rewards member, you've opened the door to several possibilities for earning those coveted drink coupons.
Sub-heading 2.1: Opting In for Drink Coupons
Did you know there's a specific setting in your Rapid Rewards profile that can make you eligible for receiving drink coupons? Many people miss this!
Action Plan:
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Navigate to "My Account" (usually in the top right corner).
Click on "Profile & Travel" or "My Preferences."
Look for a section related to "Rapid Rewards Drink Coupons" or "Extras."
Ensure that the option to receive drink coupons is set to "Yes, send me drink coupons as I earn them."
Save your changes.
Don't skip this! This ensures that if you meet the criteria for earning coupons through your flight activity, Southwest actually sends them to you.
Sub-heading 2.2: Earning Through Flight Activity (The "10 One-Way Flights" Rule - Historically)
Historically, a common way to receive drink coupons was by completing a certain number of one-way flights within a calendar year. While this specific program has evolved, being an active flyer can still lead to unexpected rewards.
What it generally entailed (for historical context):
After completing 10 one-way flights (paid with money, not points), Rapid Rewards members would often receive a booklet of four complimentary drink coupons in the mail.
The flight count would sometimes roll over year after year.
Important Note: Recent reports suggest that the direct mailing of coupons for 10 one-way flights may have been discontinued or changed. However, consistent flying still benefits you for other perks, and sometimes Southwest might surprise you with an email for reaching a certain flight milestone.
Sub-heading 2.3: Achieving A-List Preferred Status
This is one of the most reliable ways to consistently receive free premium drinks. A-List Preferred status is Southwest's higher tier of elite status.
How to Earn A-List Preferred:
Fly 40 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year, OR
Earn 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) within a calendar year. TQPs are earned based on the fare type you purchase.
The Perk: A-List Preferred Members receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per flight leg for the entirety of their earned tier status. These are typically digital and noted on your mobile boarding pass.
This is a game-changer for frequent Southwest flyers looking for free drinks.
Step 3: Utilize Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
Co-branded credit cards offered in partnership with Chase are another excellent source of potential drink coupons and other travel benefits.
Sub-heading 3.1: Welcome Bonuses and Anniversary Perks
Initial Sign-Up Bonuses: Many Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses in the form of Rapid Rewards points after meeting a certain spending threshold. While these points are primarily for flights, some promotions or card anniversary perks might include drink coupons.
Annual Anniversary Gifts: Some specific Southwest credit cards, particularly the higher-tier ones, have been known to offer annual anniversary bonuses which could include drink coupons.
Cardholder Promotions: Keep an eye on emails and communications from Chase and Southwest Airlines for special promotions exclusive to credit cardholders. These occasionally include free drink offers.
Action: Explore the different Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and their current offers. Read the fine print to see if drink coupons are mentioned as a benefit.
Step 4: Purchase a Business Select Fare
If you're looking for a guaranteed way to get a drink coupon on a specific flight, purchasing a Business Select fare is your ticket.
What is Business Select? It's Southwest's highest fare class, offering perks like:
Refundable tickets
Priority boarding (A1-A15)
A complimentary premium drink (on flights over 250 miles)
Higher Rapid Rewards point earnings (14 points per dollar)
Free in-flight internet
Two free checked bags
How to Get the Coupon: When you purchase a Business Select fare, your complimentary premium drink eligibility will be noted on your mobile boarding pass. Simply show this to the Flight Attendant.
Consider this option if you prioritize a guaranteed drink and other premium benefits for a specific flight, and the higher fare makes sense for your travel needs.
Step 5: Be on the Lookout for Special Promotions and Customer Recovery
Southwest Airlines, like many companies, occasionally uses drink coupons for various promotional or customer service-related reasons.
Sub-heading 5.1: Special Promotions and Holidays
Holiday Cheer: Southwest has been known to offer complimentary drinks on certain holidays throughout the year, such as Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, or even their own anniversary. These are usually announced closer to the date.
Email Offers: Subscribe to Southwest's newsletters and promotional emails. Sometimes, they send out limited-time offers that include drink coupons.
Social Media: Follow Southwest Airlines on their social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). They sometimes announce flash promotions or surprise giveaways there.
Sub-heading 5.2: Customer Service Recovery / Goodwill Gestures
Flight Delays or Issues: If you experience a significant flight delay, cancellation, or other service issues, Southwest customer service representatives might offer drink coupons as a gesture of goodwill or apology.
Being a "Good Customer": While not guaranteed, some travelers have reported receiving unexpected drink coupons as a thank you for their loyalty, particularly if they fly frequently or have a positive interaction with a Southwest employee.
Simply Ask (Politically!): If you've had a minor inconvenience or a long day of travel, a polite inquiry to a flight attendant or gate agent about drink coupons (without demanding) might occasionally lead to a pleasant surprise. Remember, kindness goes a long way!
Don't expect these, but be aware they happen!
Step 6: Understanding and Using Your Drink Coupons
Once you have those precious drink coupons, whether physical or digital, knowing how to use them is crucial.
Sub-heading 6.1: Digital Drink Coupons
A-List Preferred: For A-List Preferred members, digital drink coupons are typically integrated into your mobile boarding pass.
Open the Southwest app or mobile website.
View your boarding details/pass.
Your drink coupon eligibility will be clearly noted, often below the QR code.
Show this portion of your mobile boarding pass to the Flight Attendant when ordering. They will likely scan a QR code on your phone to validate it.
Expiration: Digital coupons usually expire at the end of the drink service on that specific flight.
Sub-heading 6.2: Physical Drink Coupons
Validity: Physical coupons will have an expiration date printed on them. Ensure they are unexpired before attempting to use them.
Policy: They typically state "no cash value" and are void if altered, sold, purchased, brokered, or bartered.
Redemption: Simply hand the physical coupon to your Flight Attendant when you order your drink.
Important Considerations for all coupons:
Age Restriction: You must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
Flight Length: Complimentary premium drinks and coupons are generally valid on flights over 250 miles.
Availability: Drink coupons are subject to availability of service and beverages on board.
Consumption: Alcohol purchased with drink coupons must be consumed onboard the aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Check if I Have Southwest Drink Coupons?
Log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or via the Southwest app. Navigate to your profile or preferences section. For A-List Preferred members, check your mobile boarding pass for eligible flights. For other earned coupons, they might appear in your account or be mailed to you.
How to Use a Digital Southwest Drink Coupon?
If you're an A-List Preferred member, your digital drink coupon is on your mobile boarding pass in the Southwest app. Simply display this part of your boarding pass to the Flight Attendant when ordering. They will scan a QR code on your phone for validation.
How to Know if My Flight is Eligible for Drink Coupons?
Drink coupons are generally valid on Southwest flights traveling over 250 miles. This information is usually noted on the coupon itself or in the fare details (for Business Select).
How to Get Southwest Drink Coupons for Free?
The most common ways to get them for free are by being an A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards member, by receiving them as a customer service gesture, or occasionally through special promotions if you're a Rapid Rewards member or credit cardholder.
How to Redeem Rapid Rewards Points for Drink Coupons?
While Rapid Rewards points are primarily for booking flights, gift cards, or other merchandise, directly redeeming points for drink coupons is not typically a standard option. However, points help you achieve A-List Preferred status, which does include drink coupons.
How to Tell if My Southwest Drink Coupon is Expired?
Physical drink coupons will have an expiration date printed on them. Digital coupons for A-List Preferred status are valid for the specific flight leg they are associated with and expire at the end of drink service on that flight.
How to Get Southwest Drink Coupons Without Flying Business Select?
You can get them without flying Business Select by achieving A-List Preferred status, being a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cardholder (for anniversary perks or promotions), or receiving them as a goodwill gesture from customer service.
How to Receive Southwest Drink Coupons in the Mail?
Historically, after completing 10 one-way flights, Southwest would mail physical coupons to Rapid Rewards members. While this specific program has largely shifted to digital, ensure your Rapid Rewards profile is opted in for receiving coupons, and keep your mailing address updated.
How to Gift Southwest Drink Coupons?
Southwest drink coupons are generally non-transferable and state that they are void if sold or bartered. However, if you are traveling with someone and have a physical coupon, you could offer it to them for their use on the flight if the Flight Attendant permits. Digital coupons tied to a specific boarding pass are less flexible.
How to Ensure I Don't Miss Out on Southwest Drink Coupon Opportunities?
Become a Rapid Rewards member and opt-in to receive communications and drink coupons in your profile. Consider a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Fly frequently to aim for A-List Preferred status. And always keep an eye on Southwest's official website, emails, and social media for promotions!
