Booking Southwest flights with points can be a convenient way to reduce the cash cost of your trip. Southwest Airlines allows eligible Rapid Rewards members to use points toward flights, making it possible to plan domestic and international travel while saving money.
In this guide, we explain how to book Southwest flights with points, how to search for award flights, how points and cash work, and what to check before completing your reservation.
What Are Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are the airline’s loyalty currency. Members can earn points through eligible Southwest flights, Rapid Rewards partners, and qualifying credit-card activity.
The number of points required for a flight can vary depending on factors such as the fare, route, travel date, and other booking conditions.
How to Book Southwest Flights With Points
Follow these steps to make a Southwest award booking.
1. Sign In to Your Rapid Rewards Account
Start by signing in to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. Having an account allows you to view your available points balance and use your points when searching for eligible flights.
If you don’t have enough points, you may need to earn additional points before making your booking.
2. Select Your Flight Type
Choose whether you need a:
- One-way flight
- Round-trip flight
- Multi-city itinerary
For a simple trip, select one-way or round-trip based on your travel plans.
3. Enter Your Departure and Destination
Enter your departure airport and destination. For example, you might search for a flight from:
- Denver to Las Vegas
- Dallas to Orlando
- Chicago to Phoenix
- Los Angeles to Denver
Select your travel dates and the number of passengers.
4. Choose the Points Option
When searching for eligible Southwest flights, select the option to display fares using points rather than only showing cash prices.
The results should show the points required for available fares.
5. Compare Available Flights
Review the available flights and compare:
- Departure time
- Arrival time
- Number of stops
- Points required
- Taxes and fees
- Fare benefits
- Cancellation or change conditions
Choose the flight that provides the best combination of schedule and value.
6. Select Your Fare
After selecting a flight, choose the available fare that meets your needs.
Remember that a higher fare may provide additional benefits, but it can also require more points. Consider whether those benefits are worth the additional cost for your particular trip.
7. Review Taxes and Fees
Using points does not necessarily mean your entire reservation will cost zero dollars.
Before completing the booking, carefully review the total amount due, including any applicable taxes and fees.
8. Enter or Confirm Passenger Information
Make sure the passenger information matches the traveler’s identification documents.
Check:
- Full name
- Date of birth, when required
- Contact information
- Rapid Rewards information
- Travel dates
- Departure and arrival airports
9. Complete Your Southwest Points Booking
Review the complete itinerary before confirming the reservation. Verify the flight, date, time, passenger information, points deduction, and remaining cash charges.
Once everything is correct, complete the booking.
You should receive a confirmation containing your reservation details.
Can You Book Southwest Flights With Points for Someone Else?
In many situations, Rapid Rewards points can be used to book an eligible ticket for another traveler. The traveler does not necessarily have to be the person whose Rapid Rewards account contains the points.
However, always enter the actual passenger’s information correctly when making the reservation.
How Many Points Do You Need for a Southwest Flight?
There isn’t one fixed number of points required for every Southwest flight.
The points price can vary based on the specific flight and fare. Therefore, instead of relying on a single points estimate, search for your exact route and travel date to see the current points requirement.
For example:
Route: Dallas → Las Vegas
Travel date: Your selected date
Payment: Rapid Rewards points
Result: Available flights and their respective points requirements
This makes it easier to determine whether you have enough points for your desired trip.
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Can You Pay for a Southwest Flight With Points and Cash?
Depending on the booking option and eligibility, Southwest may provide ways to combine points with money or use alternative payment methods. The exact options displayed can depend on the reservation.
When booking, review the payment choices shown for your selected itinerary rather than assuming every flight supports the same combination.
How to Find Better Value From Southwest Points
If you want to make your points go further, consider these strategies.
Be Flexible With Travel Dates
Check multiple dates if your schedule allows. A small change in your departure date can sometimes provide different points requirements.
Compare Different Departure Times
Don’t look only at your preferred departure time. Compare other flights on the same route to determine whether another option provides better value.
Check One-Way Flights Separately
For a round trip, compare the outbound and return portions individually. In some cases, checking each direction separately can make it easier to find the most suitable combination.
Watch for Southwest Deals
Southwest periodically offers promotional fares and other deals. If you have flexible travel dates, monitoring promotions can help you identify potentially better-value trips.
Consider Your Cash Alternative
Before using points, compare the points requirement with the cash price.
A simple way to think about the value is:
Points value = (Cash price − applicable taxes/fees) ÷ Points required
For example, if a flight costs $150 in cash and requires 10,000 points plus $6 in applicable charges:
($150 − $6) ÷ 10,000 = $0.0144 per point
That means you’re receiving approximately 1.44 cents of value per point in this example.
This is only a comparison method; actual value depends on the specific booking.
Can You Earn Points on a Flight Booked With Points?
The earning rules can differ from those for cash bookings. Before making an award reservation, check the current Southwest Rapid Rewards terms for information about whether the itinerary qualifies for points, tier qualifying credit, or other rewards.
Southwest Points Booking: Things to Check
Before you click the final booking button, use this checklist:
- Correct departure airport
- Correct destination
- Correct travel dates
- Correct number of passengers
- Correct passenger names
- Sufficient Rapid Rewards points
- Applicable taxes and fees
- Correct flight times
- Fare conditions
- Cancellation and change terms
- Contact information
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a Southwest flight entirely with points?
You can use Rapid Rewards points toward eligible Southwest flights. However, applicable taxes and fees may still need to be paid separately.
Can I use my Southwest points for a one-way flight?
Yes, eligible Southwest one-way itineraries can be booked using Rapid Rewards points.
Can I use Southwest points for a round-trip flight?
Yes. You can search for eligible round-trip itineraries and use Rapid Rewards points toward the booking.
Can I use my points to book a flight for another person?
Rapid Rewards points can generally be used to book eligible travel for another passenger. Make sure the passenger information is entered accurately.
Do Southwest points expire?
Southwest’s current Rapid Rewards terms should be checked for the latest rules regarding points expiration and account activity.
Final Thoughts
Booking Southwest flights with points can be a useful way to reduce the cash cost of your next trip. The basic process is straightforward: sign in to your Rapid Rewards account, search for your desired route, select the points payment option, compare available flights, review taxes and fees, and confirm your reservation.
For the best results, compare different travel dates, check one-way and round-trip options, and evaluate the points price against the cash fare before booking. TheJerseyFlights can also be used as a helpful travel resource when researching Southwest flight booking, reservations, and travel-planning information.