How to Use Your Points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program

Southwest Airlines is celebrated for its flexible ticket change and cancellation policies, free checked baggage, and distinctive boarding procedures. The Southwest Rapid Rewards loyalty program is another attractive option for regular travelers.

A key benefit of this program is the absence of blackout dates for reward bookings. Additionally, the amazing Companion Pass benefit allows you to take a companion on paid and award flights for just the taxes and fees.

If you're new to Southwest or want to dive deeper into its loyalty program, this guide will provide all the essential details about redeeming your Rapid Rewards points. The process is fairly simple, but there are a few quirks to keep in mind.

This article will concentrate on using Rapid Rewards points for flights. While you can also redeem points for gift cards, merchandise, hotels, experiences, and Rapid Rewards Events, booking Southwest flights typically offers the best value for your earned points.

Using points for Southwest flights

Redeeming Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights is straightforward. The points needed for a ticket correlate with its cash price; thus, higher ticket prices require more points. Southwest guarantees no blackout dates for redemptions, allowing you to use points on any available Southwest Airlines ticket. If there’s a single seat left, you can book it with points (though expect to pay a premium).

As of July 2024, TPG estimates Southwest points are worth 1.4 cents each, making it easy to achieve this value for both domestic and international flights. (This value dropped slightly after Southwest reduced Rapid Rewards points by 4%.)

Booking your flight is easy. Simply visit Southwest's website and input your travel details. Don't forget to check the "Points" box in the upper right corner to view award flight options.

Once you reach the results page, you'll see all the flights available for points redemption. You can further refine the results by factors such as price, duration, and departure time. Choose your preferred flight, log into your account (if you haven't done so already), and follow the prompts to finalize your points redemption.

You can use Rapid Rewards points for any fare class, but we suggest opting for Wanna Get Away fares. This is because the value you get from your points diminishes with pricier fare types, and the perks associated with them are limited. For instance, Business Select fares offer benefits like priority boarding and a complimentary premium drink on longer flights, along with free in-flight internet — which are relatively minor advantages given the significant increase in points required.

If you possess a Chase travel card, you can redeem Ultimate Rewards points for Southwest flights via the Chase Travel℠ portal. Flights booked this way appear as revenue tickets, meaning you'll continue to earn Rapid Rewards points on those points-based bookings.

For instance, if you own the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can purchase your ticket using Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5 cents each, enabling you to fly for free while still accumulating Rapid Rewards points. However, keep in mind that ticket prices may be elevated through the portal, so it’s wise to compare prices with those on the Southwest website before finalizing your purchase.

Changes and cancellations for award tickets are free of charge.

One reason why Rapid Rewards points are so favored is Southwest's accommodating change and cancellation policies.

You can modify any Southwest flight at no extra cost, only paying the difference between your original fare and the new one. Additionally, if the price of an award flight you've booked decreases, you can rebook at the lower fare and receive a refund for the points difference.

If your plans change and you need to cancel an award flight, you can do so at no cost. Your points will be returned to your account without any penalties (even for Wanna Get Away fares). You can also have the taxes refunded to the credit card used for the booking.

Keep in mind that you cannot simply not show up for the flight and expect a points refund. Cancellations must be made at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure, which is still quite generous.

The Companion Pass enhances the value of your Southwest points.

A great way to make the most of your Rapid Rewards points is by obtaining the Southwest Companion Pass. This benefit allows you to designate a companion who can fly with you on all your Southwest flights while your pass is active. Your companion only needs to cover the taxes and fees for their ticket, regardless of whether you paid with cash or points. As long as there’s an available seat for your companion, you can utilize your pass, effectively doubling the value of your Rapid Rewards points when traveling together.

To earn the Companion Pass, you need to accumulate either 135,000 qualifying points or complete 100 qualifying one-way flights on Southwest within a calendar year. Once you reach this goal, you will enjoy the Companion Pass for the remainder of the current year and the entire following year.

You can accumulate qualifying points for the Companion Pass by taking paid Southwest flights, using a Southwest credit card, and shopping or dining through the Rapid Rewards portals, as well as through Southwest's partnerships. Note that flights booked with the new Cash + Points option won't earn Companion Pass-qualifying points, but they will contribute to the necessary flight segments. Additionally, points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy do not count toward the Companion Pass qualifications.

Here’s a look at some of the current offers for Southwest cards:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

With these attractive welcome offers, achieving the Companion Pass is relatively straightforward. If you meet the minimum spending requirement on the Premier Business card or the Performance Business card to earn the respective 60,000 or 80,000 point welcome bonus, you'll be well on your way to obtaining the Companion Pass (depending on the card you choose). This is because the welcome bonus points will contribute toward the pass.

Opting for a personal card like the Plus or the Priority will also bring you closer to the Companion Pass. You'll need to gather an additional 47,000 points, which you can obtain by spending on your new card, flying with Southwest, making purchases with partners, or using a combination of these strategies.

The information regarding the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details about the card featured on this page have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

Southwest Rapid Rewards FAQ

Got questions about Southwest Rapid Rewards? Let’s answer them.

How can I enroll in Southwest Rapid Rewards?

You can enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program for free on Southwest's website. Simply click the "Create account" link located at the top of the page.

Then, complete the required fields and hit the yellow "Create account" button at the bottom of the page. Your account will be set up right away, allowing you to start earning and using Rapid Rewards points.

When do Southwest Rapid Rewards points expire?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points remain valid as long as your account is active.

Can I transfer points to Southwest?

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 10,000 Chase points convert to 10,000 Rapid Rewards points. These transfers are typically processed instantly. While this ratio is favorable, keep in mind that as of July 2024, TPG values Chase points at 2.05 cents each (in contrast to 1.4 cents for Rapid Rewards points), so you might lose some value in the exchange.

Additionally, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 3:1 transfer ratio. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points, making 60,000 Marriott points equivalent to 25,000 Rapid Rewards points. While this transfer ratio isn't optimal, it provides a viable option if you're short on points for a Southwest redemption.

Bottom line

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are a fantastic option for travelers who value flexibility in booking flights across an extensive domestic network. With the added advantages of no-fee changes and cancellations, plus two free checked bags for every passenger, Southwest is a top choice for many travelers.

Redeeming Southwest points for flights is straightforward, and the ability to transfer points from partners or book through the Chase Travel portal enhances flexibility. Additionally, the Companion Pass lets you maximize the value of your points when traveling with a friend or family member.