Discover the methods to redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points as presented by The Points Guy

Southwest Airlines is renowned for its flexible ticket change and cancellation policies, free checked baggage, and distinctive boarding procedure. Additionally, the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is an appealing perk for frequent flyers.

One significant benefit is that the program does not have blackout dates for redeeming awards. Additionally, it provides an exceptional Companion Pass feature, which lets you bring a companion on both paid and award flights for only the expense of taxes and fees.

If you are unfamiliar with Southwest or wish to understand how to use points on Southwest, this guide will explain everything concerning the redemption of your Rapid Rewards points. Luckily, the procedure is fairly simple, though there are some specific details you should be mindful of.

You have the option to use your Southwest points for gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, experiences, and Rapid Rewards Events. However, redeeming them for Southwest flights typically offers the most value for your accumulated points.

Southwest increases charges for EarlyBird check-in and upgraded boarding

Use points to book Southwest flights.

Using Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights is easy. The quantity of points needed for a ticket is directly related to the ticket’s price in cash; thus, a more expensive paid ticket will require more points to redeem. Southwest guarantees no blackout dates on redemptions, allowing you to use your Rapid Rewards points to reserve any available Southwest Airlines ticket. If there’s at least one open seat on a flight, you can book it with points, although you may have to spend a significant amount.

TPG assesses the value of Southwest points at 1.3 cents per point, and it is straightforward to achieve this rate consistently for both domestic and international bookings. (The value was slightly higher in the past before Southwest reduced the value of Rapid Rewards points by 4%).

The reservation procedure is straightforward. Visit Southwest’s website and input your flight search criteria. Don’t forget to select the “Points” option at the top right to view the results for award flights.

The results page will subsequently show all flights available for booking with points. If preferred, you can sort them by factors such as price, duration, and departure time. Choose your desired flight, log into your account (if you aren’t logged in already), and follow the displayed instructions to finalize your redemption.

You can use Rapid Rewards points to reserve any fare class, but we suggest opting for Wanna Get Away fares. This is because the value of your points is generally lower when you book the more expensive fare types, which offer limited benefits. For instance, Business Select fares provide perks such as priority boarding, expedited security, a complimentary premium drink on flights longer than 176 miles, and more flexible same-day changes — relatively minor advantages for a significant increase in points.

If you possess a Chase travel card, you can use Ultimate Rewards points to book Southwest flights via the Chase Travel℠ portal. Since these flights are treated as revenue tickets, you will continue to earn Rapid Rewards points on flights booked using this method.

For instance, if you possess the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, you can use Ultimate Rewards points to purchase your ticket at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. This enables you to fly for free while still accumulating Rapid Rewards points. However, be cautious as flight prices might be higher on the portal; always check prices on the Southwest website before booking.

Complimentary modifications and cancellations of reward tickets

Another reason Rapid Rewards points are so widely favored is the flexible change and cancellation policies offered by Southwest.

You have the flexibility to change any Southwest flight without a fee, only covering the cost difference between your original and new flights. If the price of an award flight you booked decreases, you can rebook at the lower rate and get a refund for the difference in points.

If your plans change and you are unable to take your award flight, you have the option to cancel without any charge. Your points will be returned to your account without any penalties, including for Wanna Get Away fares. Additionally, you can choose to have the taxes refunded to the credit card you used for the booking.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to get your points back if you miss the flight. You need to cancel at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure, which is fairly lenient.

Related: How to adjust the price of a Southwest flight when the fare drops

The Companion Pass enhances the worth of your Southwest points twofold.

One strategy to enhance the worth of your Rapid Rewards points is by obtaining the Southwest Companion Pass. This benefit allows you to designate a companion to accompany you on all your Southwest flights during the validity of the pass. Your companion will only be responsible for paying the taxes and fees for their ticket, irrespective of whether you purchased your ticket with cash or points. As long as a seat is available for your companion on the flight, you can utilize your pass. This effectively doubles the value of your Rapid Rewards points when traveling with your chosen companion.

To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to accumulate either 135,000 eligible points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights on Southwest within one calendar year. Upon achieving this, the Companion Pass will be valid for the rest of the current year and the entire next year.

Points that qualify for the Companion Pass can be accumulated by traveling on paid Southwest flights, using a Southwest credit card, shopping via the Southwest shopping portal, and leveraging Southwest’s partner relationships. Note that flights reserved with Southwest’s Cash + Points option will not accrue points qualifying for the Companion Pass, but will be considered for Companion Pass-qualifying flight segments. Additionally, points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy (more details on that later) also do not count toward the Companion Pass.

Here’s an overview of some of the existing Southwest card promotions:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Acquire 85,000 bonus points by making $3,000 worth of purchases within the initial three months of account activation.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Get 85,000 bonus points after making $3,000 in purchases within the first three months from opening the account.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Receive 85,000 bonus points after making $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening the account.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Get 60,000 points when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from opening your account.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Accumulate 80,000 points by spending $5,000 on purchases within the initial three months of account activation.

With these generous welcome offers, obtaining the Companion Pass becomes quite feasible. By satisfying the minimum spending requirement on the Performance Business Card, you can accrue at least 85,000 points, leaving just 50,000 points needed to qualify for the pass. You can reach this goal by making additional purchases with your new card, flying with Southwest, earning points through partners, or utilizing a combination of these methods.

The Points Guy has independently gathered the information regarding the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier. The card details displayed here have not been assessed or supplied by the card issuer.

Similar: 15 insights from 15 years of using the Southwest Companion Pass

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Rapid Rewards

Do you have any questions about Southwest Rapid Rewards? Let’s discuss them.

How can I sign up for 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.

Subsequently, enter the required details and select the yellow “Create account” button at the bottom of the page. Your account will be set up instantly, allowing you to begin accumulating and using Rapid Rewards points.

When do Southwest Rapid Rewards points become void?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points remain valid indefinitely, provided that your account remains active.

Is it possible for me to transfer points to Southwest?

You are able to convert Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 rate, which means 10,000 Chase points will equal 10,000 Rapid Rewards points. Typically, these transfers are completed instantly. While this is a favorable transfer proportion, it’s important to note that TPG appraises Chase points at 2.05 cents each (versus 1.3 cents for Rapid Rewards points), which might lead to a decrease in value during the conversion.

Additionally, you can convert Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 3:1 exchange rate. For every 60,000 Marriott points transferred, you’ll receive a 5,000-point bonus in Rapid Rewards, equating to a total of 25,000 Southwest points. While this conversion ratio might not be the most favorable, it remains a useful method if you need additional points for a Southwest redemption.

Related: What the experience of flying Southwest Airlines to Hawaii is truly like

Bottom line

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are a great option for travelers who want flexibility when booking flights within a broad domestic network. The airline offers fee-free changes and cancellations, and includes two free checked bags per passenger, making it a favored choice among 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 enables you to maximize the value of your points when traveling with a companion.