Southwest Airlines is a cheap airline that mostly flies in the U.S. It has become one of the biggest in the country, going to other countries and Hawaii too. They don’t assign you any seat on their own, and every person can check in two bags for free. They’re about fairness, not fancy levels. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards changed a lot over time. Now, it’s like valuable money for people who fly often. It’s a big deal in the world of frequent flyers.
You can easily learn how to get Southwest Rapid Rewards points. They’re simpler to earn compared to other reward programs. You get points by flying, using the shopping portal, getting a special credit card, and more.
To start, make a Rapid Rewards account, which is quick and needs basic info. Once you’re signed up, start earning points.
Let’s see how.
Points depend on the ticket price and the type of fare you choose—Southwest has four fare types, each earning points at different rates.
Pick a fare class when flying with Southwest:
Your elite status affects how many Rapid Rewards points you get from flights. There are three levels:
Even though Southwest is known for being a low-cost airline without fancy cabins, it does have something called elite status. This special status gives you cool benefits that can make flying easier and better.
To get elite status, you need to qualify every year. Once you earn it, you keep it for the rest of that year and the next one.
Southwest Airlines has two special levels for important travelers. Here’s how to get them:
When you fly with Southwest or use certain credit cards, you earn special points. A-list members enjoy perks like fast check-in and boarding, plus the option to change or standby on the same day. A-List Preferred members get free in-flight internet, and from November 6, 2023, they’ll also get up to two free fancy drinks on each flight.
Getting elite status comes with extra perks and lets you earn Rapid Rewards points faster.
A-List, the lower status, gives you a 25% bonus on your Rapid Rewards points. Here’s an example of how many extra miles you can get as an A-List member.
When a Business Select ticket is $220, you start with 12 Rapid Rewards points. If you’re an A-List member, you get a 25% bonus, making it 15 Rapid Rewards per dollar spent. This adds up to 3,300 Rapid Rewards points.
A-List Preferred members, who have the highest status with Southwest, get a big 100% bonus on their Rapid Rewards points.
If an Anytime ticket is $200, being an A-List member with a 100% bonus means you earn 20 Rapid Rewards points for every dollar, making it a total of 4,000 Rapid Rewards points.
Earning Rapid Rewards through credit card spending can boost your points. Southwest has partnered with Chase Bank for co-branded credit cards:
Moving points from other credit card programs to Southwest Rapid Rewards has some limits, but there are a few ways to do it:
You can also move points from these loyalty programs:
Get more miles by shopping online through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal. The best part? The miles you earn there count toward getting a Companion Pass.
Start earning points for shopping by logging in with your Rapid Rewards info. Look for the stores you want to buy from, click on the store, and hit “Shop Now.” You’ll go to the store’s site and can shop as you normally would.
Southwest members can buy up to 60,000 Rapid Rewards points a day. But it’s usually not the best deal compared to just buying a ticket. If you buy points through Points.com, you won’t get any extra bonuses from your credit card. Plus, these bought points won’t help you get a Companion Pass or elite status.
You can redeem your rapid rewards on Southwest Airlines or on other partner airlines in the following ways.
Note:
Southwest’s points do not change drastically. The airline will introduce Cash + Points booking support in the spring of 2024, starting from 1,000 points.
Also, Check –Southwest Airline Flight Change Policy 2023
Here is some information about the fees charged by the Southwest.
Rapid Rewards points never expire if your account is open.
Southwest Airlines stands out with perks like free checked bags and flexible flight changes, making it great for those seeking simplicity and value. Their Rapid Rewards program offers various ways to earn and use points, from flights to car rentals and dining.
Southwest may lack luxury, but its approach appeals to many looking for a smooth travel experience.
