How to Master Your Southwest Airlines Points and Travel Smarter
Are you sitting on a pile of Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points and wondering how to unlock their full potential? Or perhaps you're just starting your points-earning journey and want to know the best way to utilize them for your next adventure? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of using your Southwest Airlines points, from booking flights to exploring other exciting redemption options. Get ready to transform those points into unforgettable travel experiences!
Step 1: Accessing Your Rapid Rewards Account – Let's Get Started!
First things first, let's make sure you can see your valuable points!
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| How To Use Southwest Airlines Points |
Sub-heading: Logging In and Checking Your Balance
Visit the Southwest Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to Southwest.com.
Locate the "Log In" Button: You'll typically find this in the top right corner of the homepage. Click on it.
Enter Your Credentials: Input your Rapid Rewards username (which is often your email address or Rapid Rewards number) and password. If you've forgotten them, there are easy recovery options available.
Navigate to Your Account: Once logged in, you'll be directed to your "My Account" page, or you can find a link to it from the main navigation. Here, you'll see a prominent display of your current Rapid Rewards point balance. It's always exciting to see those numbers grow!
Sub-heading: Understanding Your Points
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are unique in that their value is tied directly to the cash price of a flight. This means when flight prices go on sale, the points needed for that same flight also decrease! This dynamic pricing model can be a huge advantage for savvy travelers.
Step 2: Redeeming Points for Flights – Your Primary Power Move
The most common and often the best value way to use your Southwest points is for flights. Southwest offers a vast domestic network and growing international destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Sub-heading: Searching for Flights with Points
Select "Points" Instead of "Dollars": On the Southwest.com homepage, when you're searching for flights, you'll see an option to select "Dollars" or "Points" for your currency. Be sure to select "Points"!
Enter Your Travel Details: Input your departure and arrival cities, dates, and the number of passengers, just as you would for a cash booking.
Browse Available Flights: The search results page will now display all available flights and the corresponding number of points required for each. You can filter by details like departure time, duration, and fare type (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select).
Consider Fare Types:
Wanna Get Away: These are typically the cheapest fares and require the fewest points. They are generally non-refundable, but you'll receive a flight credit if you cancel (though be aware of recent changes to flight credit expiration for some fares).
Wanna Get Away Plus: Offers more flexibility than Wanna Get Away.
Anytime: More flexible than Wanna Get Away, offering refundable options.
Business Select: The most flexible and expensive fare type, offering priority boarding (A1-A15), a free premium drink, and refundable options. While they cost the most points, they can be valuable for business travelers or those seeking maximum flexibility.
Select Your Desired Flight: Once you've found the flight that suits your needs and point budget, select it.
Sub-heading: Completing Your Redemption
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Review Flight Details: Double-check the dates, times, and passenger information.
Add Passenger Information: Enter the names and contact details for all travelers.
Confirm Payment: The system will show you the total points required. You'll still need to pay a small amount for taxes and fees (typically $5.60 per one-way domestic flight). You can use a credit card for this.
Complete Booking: Follow the on-screen prompts to finalize your reservation. You'll receive a confirmation email shortly after.
Sub-heading: Cash + Points Redemptions
Southwest also offers a "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to combine points with cash to pay for flights.
Select "Dollars" in the Booking Flow: This is important! To use Cash + Points, you must initially select "Dollars" as your payment option.
Apply Cash + Points on the Payment Page: On the "Passenger & Payment Info" page, you'll see a section for "Cash + Points and other forms of payment." Here, you can select which points redemption option you prefer.
Flexibility with Redemption Options: You'll be presented with various options, often starting with as few as 1,000 points.
Earning Points on the Cash Portion (Important Change!): For bookings with a final flight completed after January 1, 2025, the cash portion of a Cash + Points booking will earn Rapid Rewards points, tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status, and Companion Pass qualifying points. This is a fantastic enhancement!
Step 3: Unlocking Even Greater Value with the Southwest Companion Pass
This is truly the holy grail of Southwest Rapid Rewards. The Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (you only pay taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 one-way for domestic flights) on any Southwest flight you take, whether you paid with cash or points.
Sub-heading: How to Earn the Companion Pass
To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to achieve one of the following in a calendar year:
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights.
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points.
Sub-heading: Strategies for Earning Points for the Companion Pass
Southwest Co-Branded Credit Cards: This is by far the easiest and fastest way to earn the Companion Pass. The welcome bonuses from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (personal and business) often provide a significant chunk of the points needed. Remember: points earned from credit card spending and welcome bonuses count towards the Companion Pass! Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmembers receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year.
Flying with Southwest: While flying contributes, it's often a slower path to earning the required points compared to credit card bonuses.
Rapid Rewards Partners: Earn points through hotel stays, rental cars, Rapid Rewards Shopping, and Rapid Rewards Dining.
Sub-heading: Maximizing Your Companion Pass
Timing is Everything: If you earn the Companion Pass early in the calendar year, it's valid for the remainder of that year and the entire next calendar year. This means you could enjoy nearly two full years of free companion travel!
Designating Your Companion: Once you qualify, you'll log into your Rapid Rewards account and designate your companion. You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year.
Booking Flights with Your Companion:
Book your own flight first (either with points or cash).
After your flight is confirmed, go to the "My Trips" section of your account.
Find your flight and click the "Add Companion" link.
Follow the prompts to add your companion, paying only the applicable taxes and fees.
Step 4: Exploring Other Redemption Options – Beyond Flights
While flights offer the best value, Southwest points aren't just for airfare.
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Sub-heading: More Rewards: Merchandise, Gift Cards, and Experiences
Southwest's "More Rewards" program allows you to redeem points for:
Merchandise: A wide array of products, from electronics to home goods.
Gift Cards: Various popular brands, perfect for treating yourself or others.
Hotel Stays: Choose from a selection of hotels worldwide.
Experiences: Cruises, spa packages, adventure activities, and more.
Important Note: While these options offer flexibility, the value per point is typically lower than when redeeming for Southwest flights. It's generally recommended to save your points for airfare if possible.
Sub-heading: Pay Yourself Back (for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers)
If you're a Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you might have the option to "Pay Yourself Back."
Statement Credit: This allows you to redeem your points for a statement credit to offset eligible purchases on your credit card.
Annual Fee Reimbursement: Some cardholders can use points to reimburse their annual Rapid Rewards Credit Card fee.
Check Your Chase Account: To utilize this, you'll typically log in to your Chase.com account and navigate to your rewards dashboard.
Value Consideration: Similar to More Rewards, the value per point for Pay Yourself Back might be less than for flight redemptions.
Sub-heading: Donating Points to Charity
For those who wish to give back, Southwest allows you to donate your Rapid Rewards points to participating charities. It's a wonderful way to use your points for a good cause.
Step 5: Managing Your Points and Account
Keeping track of your points and understanding the rules is crucial.
Sub-heading: Points Expiration Policy
Good news! Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. This is a significant benefit compared to many other airline loyalty programs. As long as your account remains open, your points are safe.
Sub-heading: Buying, Gifting, and Transferring Points
Buying Points: If you're a few points short of a redemption, you can purchase additional Rapid Rewards points.
Gifting Points: You can purchase points as a gift for another Rapid Rewards Member.
Transferring Points: You can transfer your points to another Rapid Rewards Member.
Consideration: Purchasing or transferring points often comes at a high cost, so it's generally not the most economical way to acquire points unless you need a small top-up for an immediate redemption.
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Sub-heading: Monitoring Your Account Activity
Regularly log into your Rapid Rewards account to:
Check your point balance.
Review your recent earning and redemption history.
Update your personal information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use Southwest Airlines points for international flights?
You can use Southwest Airlines points for international flights to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, just like domestic flights. Simply select "Points" during your flight search on Southwest.com and search for your desired international destination.
How to transfer Southwest Airlines points to another person?
You can transfer Southwest Airlines points to another Rapid Rewards Member by logging into your account on Southwest.com and navigating to the "Buy, Gift, & Transfer Points" section. There will be an option to transfer points to another member, typically for a fee.
How to check my Southwest Airlines points balance?
You can check your Southwest Airlines points balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your current point balance will be prominently displayed on your "My Account" page or snapshot view.
How to get the best value from Southwest Airlines points?
The best value for Southwest Airlines points is generally achieved by redeeming them for flights, especially during fare sales when the points required for a flight are lower. Using them for the Southwest Companion Pass offers unparalleled value, allowing a designated companion to fly for nearly free.
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How to earn more Southwest Airlines points quickly?
The fastest way to earn a large number of Southwest Airlines points is through the welcome bonuses of Southwest co-branded credit cards. Additionally, earning points through everyday spending on these cards, flying Southwest, and utilizing Rapid Rewards partners like shopping and dining portals can boost your balance.
How to use Southwest Airlines points for hotels or rental cars?
You can use Southwest Airlines points for hotels and rental cars through the "More Rewards" section of the Rapid Rewards program on Southwest.com. However, the value per point for these redemptions is typically lower than for flights.
How to change a flight booked with Southwest Airlines points?
Southwest Airlines generally allows you to change flights booked with points without a change fee. If the new flight costs more points, you'll pay the difference. If it costs fewer, the difference in points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account. You can typically do this through the "My Trips" section of your online account.
How to cancel a flight booked with Southwest Airlines points?
You can cancel a flight booked with Southwest Airlines points, and the points will be redeposited into your Rapid Rewards account. Taxes and fees paid will also be refunded. There are no cancellation fees when canceling a points booking.
How to prevent Southwest Airlines points from expiring?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. As long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open and in good standing, your points will remain active indefinitely.
How to use Southwest Airlines points for Pay Yourself Back?
If you are a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you can use points for "Pay Yourself Back" by logging into your Chase.com account and accessing your rewards dashboard. From there, you can select eligible transactions to offset with a statement credit using your Rapid Rewards points.
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