Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards – Flights, Points & Perks Explained

Have you flown enough with Southwest Airlines that it has promoted you to a special status? Or maybe you are thinking of achieving that special status with the airline to gain its exclusive benefits. This guide knows everything about the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program. This all-inclusive read will give you a complete knowledge of the membership, its rules, perks, steps to redeem points, and more. So skim through this comprehensive manual and start reaping the benefits of this program!

What Are Southwest Points Good For?

Wondering what the benefit of becoming good friends with Southwest is? Let’s have a look.

Fly for Free!

Yes! You can actually fly for free with Southwest. Once you accumulate enough Rapid Rewards points, you can use them to purchase a Southwest flight. And not just flights, you can use them to buy gift cards and merchandise, book hotel stays, rent cars, and other exclusive cardmember experiences.

A Special Seat for You at All Times

As a Rapid Rewards member, you don’t have to worry about blackout dates or fixed limits on the availability of reward seats. There will always be one reserved for you to purchase whenever you travel.

Southwest Reward Points are Forever

Unlike other airlines that impose a validity on earning travel points, Southwest lets you keep them forever as long as your account stays open. There is nothing else that you need to do on your part.

Build Your Reward Point Collection!

Collecting Southwest Rapid Rewards points is easy. You can accumulate them in these simple ways:

1. By purchasing a qualifying flight with the airline
2. By Southwest Rapid Rewards, shopping with its credit card
3. By using Southwest partner services, like hotels, rental cars, dining, and more.

Earn A Companion Pass

Unlock the doors of free flight travel for your companion by collecting Rapid Reward points for Southwest flights and earning the A-status tier.

Enjoy Special Promotional Offers

Sometimes Southwest releases certain special flight offers and promotional discounts that are only available for Rapid Rewards members. It may include free drinks, discounts on hotel stays, rental cars, and more.

How do I become a Southwest Rapid Rewards member?

In order to join the Southwest frequent flyer community, you should pass the following criteria:

• You are traveling individually and not as a company or a group.
• You travel on Rapid Reward qualifying flights.
• You have earned enough reward points to hold a Rapid Reward status.

How to Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?

After getting enrolled in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, here are the ways you can earn points:

• Fly more on qualifying flights, which are:
  • Flights operated by Southwest Airlines
  • You paid with cash, LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits
  • You bought your flight via cash and points.
• Purchase things from Southwest’s partner brands, such as shopping sites, hotels, rental cars, etc.

[Note: You only receive points for using cash and not for points.]

You will also not earn points in the following cases:

• If you only use points to book your flight
• You are using charter or non-revenue flights
• You used a companion pass to book your flight
• You use an e-pass travel card

How to Use Rapid Rewards Points on Southwest?

Wondering how you can use your Southwest Reward points? Follow these steps to redeem them:

1. Visit Southwest Airlines’ official website.
2. Log in to Southwest Airlines rewards or enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.
3. Fill in your required flight details.
4. When you hit the search option, you will view points for Southwest flight fares.
5. Choose your suitable flight option and continue.
6. Enter your remaining passenger details.
7. Review the flight price and pay the amount using your points.
8. If there are not enough points, you can also use your cash to pay the remaining amount.

If you have already selected a flight without logging in, just enter your reward program membership number while booking. It will then show you the option to use your points to reserve your flight.

What can you use Southwest points for?

It’s time to redeem your hard-earned Southwest points! The good news? You can use them to not just book a flight, but for a plethora of other services. Have a look:

• Book any available seat on any Southwest flight as long as it’s bookable through the airline’s official website.
• Make changes to your flight.
• Buy products and services from brands and companies approved by Southwest.
• Buy more points from the ones you have for personal use or for gifting others.

What You Can’t Use Southwest Points For?

You can’t use Southwest reward points or cash+points for the following purposes:

• Pay for military or government fares
• Book charter flights
• Book group travel
• Purchase vacation packages
• Avail of discounted or special rate travel
• On flights not booked directly through Southwest
• On travel arranged through a travel agent

Can I transfer Southwest points to someone else?

You can do a lot of things with your Southwest points. One such option is to transfer them or gift them to someone else. Here’s what you need to know about this policy:

Buying Reward Points

• You can buy points for yourself or as a gift through your credit card.
• You can get points in blocks:
  • 1,ooo block during promotions
  • 500 block without promotion
• You must purchase a minimum of 2,000 points and a maximum of 60,000.
• The price of these points is in U.S. dollars only.
• An extra bank fee and exchange rate may apply if you purchase using a foreign credit card.

Gifting Reward Points

• You can give Southwest Reward points to anyone, even if they don’t have a Rapid Rewards account yet.
• If a non-member receives these points, they must sign up to claim the points within 12 months. After that, they will expire.

Transferring Reward Points

• You are free to donate these points to the charities listed by Southwest. You can choose them via the airline’s website.
• You must transfer the points using a credit card.
• Transferring Southwest Reward Points also follows the same rules (2,000 min, 60,000 max per day).
• If a Rapid Rewards Member passes away, their unused points cannot be given or transferred to anyone else, not even their family or heirs.

How are Southwest points calculated?

Want to know on what basis you will get your flight points? They are calculated according to the following criteria:

• The amount you paid for the base fare
• The type of fare you purchased, e.g., Wanna Get Away, Anytime, etc.
• Your travel tier status, like A-List and so on.
• Interline flight: The distance flown.
• Group Travel: The number of points per one-way flight. It may take up to 8 days to show the calculated fee.

Do You Know This About Southwest Rapid Rewards?

Before you go ahead and get the membership, you should be well aware of Southwest Airlines’ reward program rules.

• Southwest can change, pause, or end the program at any time, even without telling you first. However, if it’s ending completely, it will provide a 6-month notice.
• You are allowed to use the points only for the purpose as mentioned in the program.
• If you book a reward flight (with points) for yourself or a companion, you still have to pay the taxes and fees starting at $5.60 each way, which may vary depending on the destination you’re flying to and from.
• Don’t share your account’s password and other confidential information with anyone. Keep your account safe. Southwest will not take responsibility if someone uses your account or steals your points.
• Only a parent or guardian can sign up a child for the Southwest frequent flyer program.
• You are not allowed to combine your points with others.
• Each person is allowed to have only one Rapid Rewards account.
• If your name, email, or address changes, inform Southwest to update your information immediately. For name changes, you need to provide proof of the document.
• Your rapid rewards program won’t expire. However, you will lose them if you choose to close your account.
• If you don’t follow the rules or are found misusing it, Southwest can cancel your account and any upcoming trips, or take away your points or special benefits.
• If you purchase a Southwest brand product using points and later return it or cancel it, you can get back your points. However, you shouldn’t do that repeatedly as it may cause penalties.
• Forgot to add your Rapid Rewards number when booking your flight? You can still claim it up to 12 months later through the airline’s website.
• If you try to sell or trade your rewards, it may lead to:
  • Termination of your account
  • Forfeiture of your points
  • You may be sued for damages and charged legal fees.

What is the A-list on Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards?

Southwest rewards those who are its loyal flyers. It offers a special status to those who fly the most with it. See if you fall into this category and learn the benefits you can receive from them.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Status Tiers

There are two types of Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards status:

• A-List: Need 20 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 points
• A-List Preferred: Need 40 qualifying one-way flights or 70,000 points

Qualifying Flight:

• Paid one-way trip with Southwest (can also include stops or connections)
• Shouldn’t be Reward flights, charter flights, Companion Pass flights, or free/nonrevenue travel.

Tier Qualifying Points

• Fly on paid Southwest flights
• Use Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and get 1,500 points for every $5,000 you spend
  • Priority Card
  • Premier Card
  • Premier Business Card
  • Performance Business Card

Benefits

Those who achieve this status receive the following perks:

• Same-day standby
• Automatic priority boarding
• Occasional offers like: bonus points, free drinks, rental car or hotel discounts, special promos. (subject to change or get cancelled)

How long does Southwest status last?

After achieving this frequent flyer status on Southwest, you can enjoy its benefits for one calendar year. Once it expires, you need to requalify to keep the benefits.

The Southwest Companion Pass For Rapid Rewards Members

When you are loyal to Southwest, not just you but the ones traveling with you get the benefit of it. The Companion Pass by Southwest Airlines allows Rapid Rewards Members to choose any one person to fly with them for free!

The conditions being:

• Your companion must fly with you on the same flight and date.
• The flight fee is free, but tax charges apply.
• The member must book their flight first and then add their companion.

Sounds promising?

Do you know someone who is a Southwest loyal member, or are you one and want to take someone on your flight?

Ready to Fly With Southwest Again?

Being a frequent flyer with Southwest is indeed rewarding. If you use your membership responsibly and wisely, you can reap a lot of benefits from the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program. You must have found it through this informative and all-inclusive guide. If you have any queries about this program, you can seek assistance from the Southwest Rapid Rewards customer service. They will eradicate all your doubts.

Now, log in, start searching for flights, and purchase one at great discounts using points from your Rapid Rewards wallet.

Queries About Southwest Rapid Rewards Program