- Go to Southwest.com and click on Rapid Rewards in the upper right corner.
- Then select Buy or Transfer Points. Image Credit: Southwest.com
- Click on Gift Points. ...
- Next, you can select the number of points you would like to purchase using the drop-down box. ...
- Fill in your credit card information and click on Pay Now to complete your purchase. ...
Full Answer
How can redeem my rapid reward points?
Request past flight points
- You can request past flight points for travel completed within the past 12 months.
- Only flights taken over 48 hours ago will be reviewed for past flight points.
- Name and date of birth associated with the passenger's reservation must match the name and date of birth in the Member's Rapid Reward account.
Can you purchase Southwest points?
To purchase Southwest points, you must be a current Rapid Rewards member. A maximum of 60,000 points per transaction is allowed. There is a daily maximum of $2,000 in transactions per day per Rapid Rewards member account, and a credit card is required for all points purchases.
Should you buy southwest points?
While you theoretically may be able to buy Southwest points for roughly the same as TPG’s valuation, typically, the only one time I’d suggest someone take advantage of a Southwest buy points offer is if you’re trying to book a great S outhwest deal before it sells out or have an urgent flight need and:
How do you get southwest Rapid Rewards points?
- 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases.
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- $69 annual fee.
- This card does not offer tier qualifying points (TQPs).
Is it worth it to purchase Southwest points?
Generally, no. Southwest points are worth about 1.5-1.7 cents per point, but they sell for 2.75-3 cents per point. However, there are some instances when it might make sense to purchase points. For example, if you need to quickly top off your account for a specific redemption, buying points can be a good idea.
How much does it cost to buy 4000 Southwest points?
3 cents a pointHow much do Southwest points cost? The price of Southwest points depends on how many points you're purchasing as well as whether or not there are any current promotions. Normally, buying between 2,000 and 4,000 points will cost 3 cents a point. Purchases of 5,000 – 60,000 points cost 2.75 cents each.
How much is 50000 Rapid Reward points?
How much are 50,000 Southwest points worth? According to NerdWallet's analysis, 50,000 Southwest points are worth about $700.
How do I add points to my Rapid Rewards account?
You may request points for travel completed in the last 12 months in your account. In the section called “Request past flight points,” enter your confirmation number from your reservation and click “Get points.” After verification of your flight information (up to 5 days), points will be deposited into your account.
Can you buy Southwest points to get a list?
From time to time, Southwest may offer a special promotion to purchase 'tier qualifying points' which count toward A-List status but are not redeemable. On the other hand, purchased 'points' do not count toward A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass but they are redeemable.
Is Southwest Rapid Rewards Worth It?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards program is the 7th best frequent flyer program for 2022, according to WalletHub's review. Some of the best features of Southwest Rapid Rewards are points worth an average of 1.37 cents apiece that do not expire, numerous ways to earn points, and up to 100% bonus points on bookings.
Do Southwest points expire?
Do the points I earn expire? No, your Rapid Rewards points do not expire. However, if you choose to close your account, the points in your account will be terminated.
Can you sell Southwest points?
Southwest does not offer a way to sell their Rapid Rewards points. You will have to go to a third-party buyer/seller. They will offer you cash for your points, based on the number of points available. The higher the number of points, the better the offer.
How many points is $1 in Southwest?
7. Fly SouthwestBaseA-ListWanna Get Away Fare6 points per $1.7.5 points per $1.Anytime Fare10 points per $1.12.5 points per $1.Business Select Fare12 points per $1.15 points per $1.
Can you add Southwest Rapid Rewards after booking?
Yes. If you have not yet taken your trip, you can add your Rapid Rewards number to your reservation on Southwest.com or you can ask a Southwest Airlines® Customer Service Agent to add it when you arrive at the airport.
Can I use my Southwest points for my wife?
Yes, you can use your Southwest points to buy a ticket for someone else. The member who owns the account from which the points will be used will need to make the reservation for the person traveling.
Can I transfer Southwest points to my spouse?
How do I gift or transfer Rapid Rewards points to someone else? Log into your account and click on Rapid Rewards at the top of the screen. Under Manage, select Buy or Transfer Points. From there, you can select the appropriate transaction option on the Rapid Rewards Buy, Gift & Transfer page.
How Much Do Southwest Points Cost to Buy?
The price of Southwest points varies depending on how many you are buying at once. Purchases of 2,000-4,500 points cost 3 cents each, and purchases...
Is Buying Southwest Points a Good Deal?
Generally, no. Southwest points are worth about 1.5-1.7 cents per point, but they sell for 2.75-3 cents per point. However, there are some instance...
Does Buying Southwest Points Count Toward the Companion Pass?
No, purchased points do not count toward Companion Pass status. Only points earned through the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, revenue flight...
Where Do I Buy Southwest Points?
You can purchase Southwest points through Southwest.com. However, the transaction will be completed via Points.com.
Do Southwest points expire?
Your Southwest points will never expire as long as your account remains open.
How many points per dollar does it cost to redeem for a ticket?
The number of points needed for a reward flight depends on the fare. Just like fares, reward pricing can vary based on destination, time, day of tr...
How can I calculate the number of points I will need to redeem for my ticket?
The number of points needed for a reward flight depends on the fare. Just like fares, reward pricing can vary based on destination, time, day of tr...
Are there any fares that I can't purchase using points?
Special fares, such as infant, child, military, and government fares are not eligible to be purchased with points. Other travel not eligible for re...
Can I use my points on redemptions other than Southwest flights?
The More Rewards program allows Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers to redeem their points for merchandise, international flights operated by other ai...
Can I use points to pay for other Southwest charges? (e.g., pets, extra bag, unaccompanied minors, s...
No. Points cannot be redeemed for Southwest amenities.
How do I make a reservation using my Rapid Rewards points?
You can make a reservation for reward travel using points at Southwest.com. All reward travel is subject to taxes, fees, and other government or ai...
Do blackout dates apply to reward travel using points?
There are no blackout dates for travel booked with Rapid Rewards points.
Can I book travel with points for other Passengers (not me)?
Yes. The Rapid Rewards Member who owns the account from which the points will be used will need to make the reservation for the person traveling. S...
Can I reserve a reward flight with points through a Customer Representative without purchasing it?
Yes. You can call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to reserve a reward flight for 24 hours prior to purchasing. If you do not redeem using your poi...
Can I use my points to book through a travel agent or global distribution system?
No. Points can only be booked for travel through Southwest.com, the Southwest mobile app, or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA.
How many points can you buy with Southwest Rapid Rewards?
How to Buy Southwest Rapid Rewards Points. To purchase Southwest points, you must be a current Rapid Rewards member. A maximum of 60,000 points per transaction is allowed. There is a daily maximum of $2,000 in transactions per day per Rapid Rewards member account, and a credit card is required for all points purchases.
How often do you need to earn Rapid Rewards points to gift?
However, gifted points will count toward the recipient’s 24-month account activity (each account is required to earn points through a qualifying activity at least once every 2 years to remain active.) You will need the recipient’s name, email address, and Rapid Rewards account number to send a gift.
How much are Southwest Rapid Rewards points?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are available to purchase for 2.75-3 cents per point. While this generally isn’t a good deal, there are times you might need to purchase points to top off your account for a specific redemption.
How long do you have to claim Southwest points?
If you receive a gift of Southwest points, you must claim them within 12 monthsor they will be forfeited. Go to Southwest.com and click on Rapid Rewardsin the upper right corner.
How much are Southwest points worth?
Generally, no. Southwest points are worth about 1.5-1.7 cents per point, but they sell for 2.75-3 cents per point. However, there are some instances when it might make sense to purchase points. For example, if you need to quickly top off your account for a specific redemption, buying points can be a good idea.
Do points go on sale?
You might be wondering if points ever go on sale — and the answer is yes, they do! If you need to purchase points, sometimes the stars align and you can find a promotion to purchase them at a discount. For example, a previous promotion offered a 40% bonus on points purchased in increments of 5,000.
Do Southwest Companion Pass points count toward elite status?
Another important thing to keep in mind is that purchased points do not count toward elite status, the Southwest Companion Pass, or any other type of qualification. Hot Tip: While you might think you’re buying points directly from Southwest, the transaction actually happens via Points.com.
Southwest Rapid Rewards selling points with a discount
Through Tuesday, February 15, 2022, Southwest is offering a bonus of up to 75% when you purchase Rapid Rewards points. The discount is tiered, as follows:
How much are Southwest points worth?
Southwest Rapid Rewards is a revenue based frequent flyer program, and the number of points required for a flight is directly correlated to the revenue cost of a flight. Back in April 2021, Southwest devalued Rapid Rewards points, and now you need to redeem roughly 83 Rapid Rewards points for each dollar of airfare on Southwest.
Is buying Southwest Airlines points worth it?
Let me cut to the chase — there are few situations where it makes sense to purchase Rapid Rewards points. Even at the discounted cost, there’s not usually value in buying points for ~1.57 cents each when you can only redeem them for ~1.2 cents each.
Which credit card should you buy Southwest points with?
If you’d like to buy Southwest Airlines points, note that purchases are processed by points.com, meaning they don’t count as an airfare purchase for the purposes of credit card spending.
Other ways to earn Rapid Rewards points
If you’re looking to earn Southwest Airlines points, there are a couple of best ways to do so:
Bottom line
Southwest is selling Rapid Rewards points with up to a 75% bonus, which brings the cost down to 1.57 cents per point.
Why trust us?
Our editorial team and expert review board work together to provide informed, relevant content and an unbiased analysis of the products we feature. The editorial content on our site is independent of affiliate partnerships and represents our unique and impartial opinion. Learn more about our partners and how we make money .
Summary
Our guide gives you a complete overview of the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, including how to earn and redeem points, book a flight and gain elite status.
What is Southwest Rapid Rewards?
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards loyalty program is one of the easiest frequent flyer programs to navigate.
How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards
One of the best ways to accumulate points and miles for free Southwest travel is with a Rapid Rewards credit card.
How to use Southwest Rapid Rewards
Once you’ve successfully racked up a healthy stash of Rapid Rewards points, it’s time for the fun part – deciding how to use them.
Other things to know about Southwest Rapid Rewards
Want to know more about maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards? Check out some of our other guides below.
Does Southwest Airlines have a credit card?
Southwest Airlines has a suite of cobranded credit cards issued by Chase. There are currently three personal credit cards and two business credit cards available, each with varying benefits, welcome bonuses and annual fees. There’s a Southwest credit card for everyone, from the occasional traveler to the frequent business traveler.
Is Wanna Get Away refundable?
We recommend staying away from Anytime fares as the only benefit over Wanna Get Away is that the fare is fully refundable. Wanna Get Away fares are also refundable when booking with points, so there’s no real benefit.
Can you earn points with Rapid Rewards?
You can earn bonus points when you shop online with Rapid Rewards Shopping. Like Rapid Rewards Dining, the miles you’ll earn with this shopping portal are in addition to the points you earn with a credit card.
How to disable Rapid Rewards Shopping?
How can I disable the Rapid Rewards Shopping button? To disable the Rapid Rewards Shopping button, click on "preferences" and navigate to the "extensions" tab. Then uncheck the "Enable Rapid Rewards Shopping button" box.
Can you combine Rapid Rewards points with other members?
Membership in the Rapid Rewards program is for individual travelers only. Individuals must enroll separately and may not pool or combine points with other Members.
Do you need a Rapid Rewards account to shop?
Yes, a valid Rapid Rewards account number is required to shop and earn Rapid Rewards points with Rapid Rewards Shopping. You may enroll in the Rapid Rewards Program. Once enrolled, your account number will appear on the screen. You will then be able to start shopping and earning Rapid Rewards points with Rapid Rewards Shopping.
Can you use Rapid Rewards points with a coupon?
No; using a coupon code from anywhere other than the Rapid Rewards Shopping web site will make your purchase ineligible for Rapid Rewards points. NOTE: Some Rapid Rewards Shopping merchant offers require a coupon code that may be obtained from the Rapid Rewards Shopping web site. In these cases, you will receive Rapid Rewards points.
What does this value mean?
Our value of 1.4 cents per Southwest point is an average, baseline value that can help determine whether a given redemption is "worth it." The value is based on real-world data (see below) and is effectively what you can expect to get from your Rapids Rewards points if you use them for a random redemption.
How to convert Southwest points to dollars
Use this Southwest point value calculator to determine the cash value of any number of Rapid Rewards points. This is useful when determining the value of a promotion, or when trying to decide whether to use cash or miles to book a flight.
How flexible are Southwest points?
To put it frankly: Rapids Rewards points aren't very flexible. Sure, you might be able to use them for non-flight options through the "More Rewards" portal for stuff like merchandise and gift cards, but these redemptions rarely match or exceed the value of using them to purchase Southwest flights.
How do Southwest points compare to other airline loyalty miles?
Per our analysis, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are some of the most valuable airline awards available. See the table below for how they stack up with other programs.
How has this value changed over time?
We’ve been tracking Southwest Rapid Rewards points since 2019, and this most recent valuation saw a small dip in value, from 1.6 cents the previous years to the current value of 1.4 cents per point.
How did we determine the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points?
We collected hundreds of data points comparing the cash value to award (point) value for the same routes and dates. That is, we compared the cost of a given ticket in either cash or points across many tickets.
Where is the Get More tab on Rapid Rewards?
At the far right of the main menu, you will notice a tab called Get More. Click Travel Better in the drop-down menu to access even more items that you can purchase using Rapid Rewards points. Here you can shop categories like Pets, Coffee, and Sunglasses.
What is the seasonal section of Rapid Rewards?
The Seasonal section lets you shop for more products using your Rapid Rewards points, though they really don’t have anything to do with being seasonal. After selecting Travel on the More Rewards main menu, you can select Seasonal from the drop-down menu.
What is Rapid Rewards travel essentials?
The Travel Essentials section lets you shop for travel-related products using your Rapid Rewards points. After selecting Travel on the More Rewards main menu, you can select Travel Essentials from the drop-down menu.
How much does a $150 gift card cost?
So a $150 ticket would generally cost between 8,800-10,000 points. These $25 gift cards cost 4,050 points, which is only a 0.6 cents per point value — that’s less than half the value you would get using your points to purchase a flight! Generally, using your points to purchase gift cards is not a good deal!
Can you use Rapid Rewards points for travel insurance?
While that’s an entirely separate discussion, it’s good to know that if you choose to purchase travel insurance, you can use your Rapid Rewards points to do so. After selecting Travel on the More Rewards main menu, you can select Travel Insurance from the drop-down menu.
Can you use Rapid Rewards points on Hawaii flights?
Your Rapid Rewards points can be used to purchase non-Southwest international and Hawaii flights through the More Rewards portal. Go to the More Rewards portal and select Travel on the top menu bar, then Airfare from the drop-down menu.