According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Southwest Airlines is the clear champion in domestic air travel. More than four million domestic travelers fly Southwest every year, according to the bureau. Even if you’re only an occasional flyer, you should sign up for Southwest Airlines’ loyalty program, Rapid Rewards. Since Southwest Airlines points never expire, they can help you save money on future flights if you’re a frequent flyer. You can earn Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points by flying with the airline, eating at one of its restaurants, shopping at one of its stores, or using one of its co-branded credit cards. Here we go in-depth about the benefits and value of the Southwest Airlines Rewards program.
What are Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards?
Customers can earn points by purchasing Southwest flights, purchasing Southwest travel items, or using a Southwest credit card. You can use Rapid Rewards points to pay for Southwest travel expenses or to purchase Southwest or one of its partner’s products.
How do you Earn Southwest Airlines Miles?
The main approach to gaining Southwest Rapid Rewards points is to buy tickets with the company. If you purchased a Business Select ticket at $400 (before taxes and fees), you would receive 4,800 points. You may also earn points through the Southwest Rapid Rewards dining program, which gives you bonus points for eating at participating restaurants. Furthermore, you may purchase points if you want to. You may buy anywhere from 2,000 to 60,000 points at a time, in amounts of 500 (1,000 during promotions). You may also receive points from other Rapid Rewards members.
How do you Use Southwest Airlines Miles?
There are several restrictions to take into consideration when purchasing a flight with points. You can buy flights with no blackout dates, but the number of points you need to purchase one depends on the fare, which may be different on certain days. Points can be used to purchase group travel, including charters, as well as vacation packages and Southwest vacation packages, but they cannot be used to purchase children’s or infants’ tickets. Furthermore, travel agents, Southwest vacation packages, and group travel are not eligible to purchase points. If you’re a More Rewards member with a Rapid Rewards credit card, you may also redeem your points for international flights with other airlines, gift cards, hotel stays, rental cars, and merchandise. The redemption value, however, will vary.
How Much are Southwest Airlines Miles Worth?
When redeemed for Southwest Airlines flights, Rapid Rewards points are worth around 1.3 to 1.4 cents.
How Do You Get Free Southwest Airlines Miles?
There are tons of ways to earn Rapid rewards miles through purchases, but there is one way you can get free Southwest Airlines miles – If you need to accumulate 10,000-30,000 Southwest points quickly, it’s recommended to book a hotel on SouthwestHotels.com. You may receive up to 10,000 points per night, and if you’re flying for business and your company reimburses you for flight and hotel costs, you’re all good to go.
How Many Southwest Airlines Miles Do You Need for a Free Flight?
Points are awarded in accordance with the price of a ticket on Southwest Airlines in proportion to the amount of money spent. Therefore, the program is referred to as “revenue-based” because the number of points required for a ticket is dependent on the amount of money spent. In turn, the number of points required for a free economy class Southwest Airlines flight range from 6,600 to 58,000 during peak season.
Here’s a little insight on some popular flights and the amount of miles you can earn from each one:
- New York – Los Angeles: about 21,000 points
- New York – Chicago: about 6,600 points
- New York – Cancun: about 33,600 points
- Los Angeles – Orlando: about 20,000 points
- Los Angeles – Cancun: about 58,000 points
Now, of course, having a Southwest credit card can help you earn points and receive free flights faster if you’re a loyal Southwest flyer. You can receive an initial bonus for spending a certain amount within a few months of opening an account with most Southwest credit cards. You must have at least decent credit to obtain a Southwest credit card.