Can I Use Southwest Points For Hotels

For people who like low fares and hate fees, Southwest Airlines is ane of the best airlines out there — and the Southwest Rapid Rewards plan is one of the best airline loyalty programs to take advantage of all of its benefits. It's gratis to join — and you should, as it'due south the simply way for yous to earn points every time yous fly Southwest (which you can turn effectually and utilize for future flights).

And since points don't expire, even if you wing Southwest every few years just, you'll yet eventually rack up enough points for the full to exist worth something.

Southwest Airlines is considered the biggest low-cost carrier in the U.S. in terms of passengers served. It flies to about 100 destinations in the U.S. and United mexican states, Central America and the Caribbean area. With a huge footprint, it's relatively easy to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points and redeem those Southwest rewards for future travel.

Southwest'south client-friendly policies is one principal feature that sets it apart from Delta, American Airlines and United. The airline allows ii free checked bags upwardly to l pounds each on every flying and group boarding. Southwest is our favorite loyalty program for families.

Southwest also offers the Companion Laissez passer, which allows you to bring a friend with you for free (aside from taxes and fees). In add-on, the airline has no change fees, which permit for last-minute flexibility.

Here's everything you need to know about Southwest Rapids Rewards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards sign-upward

Before you lot can offset earning points with Southwest, you lot'll need to sign up for a Rapid Rewards frequent flyer account. It's free to join, and y'all can register here .

How much Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth

This is a baseline value for Southwest points, based on real-world data collected from hundreds of economy routes, not a maximized value. In other words, you should aim for laurels redemptions that offer i.4 cents or more in value from your Southwest points.

Unlike some other airlines, the value of Southwest points doesn't really change from flying to flight, equally the airline offers no award chart. If the toll of a aeroplane ticket goes up, so does the number of points needed to book the flight. Because of this, Southwest doesn't really take "sweet spots" for award bookings. For most people, this makes it easy to decide to volume flights with points because you lot'll generally get the aforementioned value for your points every time.

To determine the value of your miles for specific flights, carve up the cash value of the ticket (less any applicable taxes/fees if you redeem miles) by the number of points required for the flight. So if the ticket would cost either $100, or xv,000 points + $10 in taxes/fees, the math would be as follows:

($100 – $ten) / 15,000 = 0.006, or 0.6 cent per indicate.

Southwest Airlines vs. competitors: How information technology stacks in 2022

Here's a closer look at how Rapid Rewards competed across categories to earn its rank:

The airline charges the lowest total fees .

How to earn Rapid Rewards points

Yous can earn Rapid Rewards points several ways: past flying on Southwest, by shopping and dining with partners, or by spending on a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Southwest is besides a transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program.

Earning Rapid Rewards points when you lot fly

The number of points you earn for a flight depends on the price of the ticket, the type of fare you're buying, and your status level within the Rapid Rewards plan. All fares include two gratuitous checked numberless up to l pounds each, no modify fees and reusable funds for up to 12 months if you cancel your flight or fully refundable flights depending on the type of fare booked.

Southwest sells three different types of fares, and each earn a unlike number of Rapid Rewards points.

Wanna Get Away: The cheapest fares are aptly named "Wanna Get Away." These fares take no additional benefits from those listed higher up and earn 6 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent in base airfare.
Anytime: Someday fares are a little more flexible than Wanna Get Away fares considering canceled trips can exist refunded to the original form of payment or used toward another flight for upwardly to 12 months. Flyers also earn ten Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent on base airfare.
Business Select: For travelers who want the Southwest luxury feel, Business Select fares are the nigh expensive but offer the most benefits. In addition to the higher up perks, Business Select passengers can use the priority security lane at the airport (where bachelor) after checking in. At the gate, Business Select flyers are guaranteed to be among the beginning 15 people to board. And in the air, these passengers also get one free complimentary premium drink of their choice. Business Select customers also earn the about Rapid Rewards, earning 12 points per $one spent on base of operations airfare.

Earning Rapid Rewards points with a credit card

Southwest offers five co-branded credit cards through Chase: 3 consumer credit cards and two business concern cards.

Nosotros talk over the credit cards to a higher place that earn Rapid Rewards points in-depth subsequently in this article .

Earning Rapid Rewards points through partners

Southwest has a robust list of non-airline partnerships , assuasive you to earn points for your spending on rental cars, hotels or a box of fancy pears from Harry & David.

Hotels: You tin earn Rapid Rewards points at some hotel chains. At nigh hotels, yous earn ane point per $1 spent, but information technology'south possible to earn more than depending on where you stay. See partner hotels here .
Car rentals: The earn rate at motorcar rental companies varies. For case, Alamo is currently offering 600 Rapid Rewards points for a rental. Meet partner machine rental agencies here .
Shopping and dining: Earn points at more than 800 retailers when yous shop through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. Meanwhile, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program allows you to earn upwardly to 3 points per $1 spent at participating restaurants, plus bonus points for submitting eating place reviews. Both are fantabulous ways to earn (and double-dip) points earning, peculiarly if that's spending yous're doing anyhow.
Gas at Marathon gas stations: Rapid Rewards members tin can earn 1 point for every gallon of Marathon fuel they purchase, plus boosted points on select in-shop purchases and other specified achievements through the MakeItCount program. To earn, members must sign up ahead of fourth dimension and select Rapid Rewards every bit their earning partner.
Switching electricity providers: Members in some states can also earn a sign-up bonus and ongoing bonuses when they switch their ability service to NRG Home or Reliant. Bank check the Rapid Rewards website to run into if your home is eligible.
Taking surveys: Participate in market research and earn points when you share your opinion via the e-Rewards and Rewards For Opinions platforms.

Unfortunately, Southwest doesn't have any airline partners and isn't a member of an airline alliance, so y'all can't earn Rapid Rewards points by flying on other airlines.

Transferring other points to Rapid Rewards

Two credit carte du jour rewards programs offer the opportunity to transfer points to Rapid Rewards: Diners Order and Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Diners Society cardholders can catechumen Diners Club Rewards points to Rapid Rewards points at a rate of 1,500 Diners Social club points to 1,200 Rapid Rewards points.

If you earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® from a Chase Sapphire® Card , you tin besides convert those points to Rapid Rewards at a one-to-1 rate. You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 points.

You tin also transfer points from rental car and hotel programs to Rapid Rewards, though — unless you don't anticipate using those points in their original course — the exchange rate is pretty bad, so we don't typically recommend this.

Buying Rapid Rewards points

By and large, y'all tin can buy Rapid Rewards points at a charge per unit of ii.75 to three cents each, but information technology's non advisable. Since we value Rapid Rewards points at an average of 1.iv cents each, buying points at these prices is a almost e'er a bad deal.

One exception to the dominion is if y'all accept a specific redemption in mind and demand to top off your account.

Do Southwest points expire?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don't expire. However, if you lot opt to shut your business relationship, the points in your business relationship will exist terminated.

How to redeem Rapid Rewards points

Anyone who is a Rapid Rewards member can redeem points on Southwest's website for flights.

To book flights on Southwest, get to the booking tool on Southwest'due south website and login to your Rapid Rewards account. Then, enter your travel information and cull the option to encounter the fare in points rather than dollars. If any fare classes are sold out for a given flight, that volition be indicated in the results.

While all fare options are bachelor, prices in points are directly tied to their greenbacks price.

Skilful redemption options

Here are some of the highest value ways to redeem Southwest points.

Southwest Wanna Get Abroad flights: The best way to apply Rapid Rewards points is toward Wanna Become Abroad fares aboard Southwest, which is the lowest of the Southwest fare classes.
International flights: Southwest is primarily known for its flights inside the contiguous U.S. and Hawaii. Just don't overlook its international flights to destinations in Central America and the Caribbean .

Bad redemption options

Avoid spending your points in the airline's More Rewards portal , which you have admission to if y'all have a Rapid Rewards credit card. Hither, you can purchase non-Southwest operated international flights, hotels, rental cars, merchandise and gift cards.

Notwithstanding, these tend to be a terrible deal. When nosotros searched for souvenir bill of fare rewards, values were as low as 0.6 cent per indicate — less than half of the value of using points for the average flight. This makes getting souvenir cards and other items from a merchandise store a bad use of points.

Southwest A-Listing status

You tin can sign up for the Rapid Rewards loyalty programme for gratuitous, which allows you to earn points toward Southwest aristocracy condition — otherwise known as A-List — and award flights. At the A-List and A-List Preferred tiers, you lot earn more points and savor some boosted perks.

Southwest A-List benefits

Having A-Listing status on Southwest can sweeten the deal for your next flight. Benefits include:

	A-List	A-List Preferred
Points bonus	25% more points on each flying.	100% more than points on each flying.
Airport benefits	Priority check-in. Priority boarding. Access to "Fly Past" expedited security lanes at select airports. Gratis same-twenty-four hour period standby through airport customer service agents.	Priority check-in. Priority boarding. Access to "Fly By" expedited security lanes at select airports. Free same-day standby through airport customer service agents.
Boosted perks	Dedicated A-List customer service phone line.	Free in-flight WiFi. Defended A-List customer service phone line.

How to earn A-List on Southwest

To achieve A-List or A-List Preferred condition, you must wing a certain number of "qualifying one-style flights" or earn a sure number of "tier qualifying points" in a calendar year. You gain elite status every bit soon equally yous earn it, and information technology's good through the next calendar year.

To earn A-List status, yous must fly 25 qualifying 1-mode flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points. A List Preferred'due south requirements are doubled: Fly 50 qualifying one-manner flights or earn lxx,000 tier qualifying points.

A qualifying one-way flight is defined as a trip from origin to destination, including any connections. Then if you're flying from Los Angeles to Chicago Midway Airport, it counts equally a single one-fashion flying regardless if it's nonstop or yous accept to change planes.

Tier qualifying points are different from Rapid Rewards points. Although yous can obtain Rapid Rewards points in all sorts of ways (as described above), in that location are simply two ways to earn tier qualifying points:

Purchasing tickets for Southwest flights.
Spending on a Southwest credit bill of fare, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Carte , Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card , Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business organization Credit Card or the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business organization Credit Menu . With all cards, you earn i,500 tier qualifying points for each $x,000 spent, upwards to 15,000 tier qualifying points per year.

How much is A-List status worth?

NerdWallet did a comprehensive assay of airline aristocracy status programs to decide the dollar value of each tier, including Southwest'due south A-List and A-List Preferred status.

NerdWallet estimates that the perks of Southwest A-List status are worth $123, and A-List Preferred status perks are worth $984.

To arrive at these dollar figures, we made many assumptions almost how each status was used. Cheque the methodology in the link above for a more detailed breakdown.

Southwest deals and when to pay cash

Southwest often runs fare sales and allows you to search flying deals past specific destination. In improver, the airline also sends out emails advertising flight deals for as low as $59 each way.

If you have Southwest points and you run into that there'south a fare auction going on, it's a skillful opportunity to redeem your points.

Since the value of Southwest points remains abiding and there is no award chart, using points for a flying volition never effect in an outstanding redemption. That's why it's smart to continue your optics out for these wink sales (typically constitute in your inbox).

If yous don't have enough points to volume the award ticket, paying cash — specially if you're getting a flight deal — could still be a good value since y'all'll also earn points on that flying.

The Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Laissez passer is a valuable and sought-afterwards perk of the Rapid Rewards program. The laissez passer allows a invitee to fly with you lot nearly for costless (y'all'll both accept to pay taxes and security fees starting from $5.sixty one way) from the time you earn information technology through the side by side calendar year.

To earn the laissez passer, you lot must either wing 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Qualifying points for Companion Laissez passer include points earned from buying Southwest tickets, points earned with Southwest credit cards and points earned from select Rapid Rewards partners.

Nerdy tip: If you lot utilise for a Southwest credit carte when there is a high sign-upwards offer , you can earn the Companion Pass even faster.

Notation that, currently, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Menu , Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are also offering a Companion Pass in their welcome bonus.

Credit cards that earn Rapid Rewards points

Southwest offers iii personal and two business concern cards from Chase.

Southwest personal credit cards

All of the airline'due south personal credit cards are similar in that they each earn the following:

2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares, Internet, cable, phone services and select streaming, and with Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners.
25% back on in-flight purchases.
1x point on all other purchases.

However, the cards differ in their ability to earn extra bonus points based on spend in specific categories. Here's how these shake out.

7,500 anniversary points each yr.
3x points on Southwest purchases.
2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares.
2x points on cyberspace, cable, phone services and select streaming.
$75 Southwest travel credit each twelvemonth.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $10,000 you spend up to 15,000 TQPs per year.
No foreign transaction fees.

six,000 anniversary points each year.
3x points on Southwest purchases.
2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares.
2x points on net, cable, phone services and select streaming.
ane,500 TQPs toward A-List condition for every $10,000 you spend up to 15,000 TQPs per year.
No foreign transaction fees.

3,000 anniversary points each year.
2x points on Southwest purchases.
ii Early Bird Cheque-Ins each yr.
2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares.
2x points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

Southwest business organisation credit cards

Southwest's concern credit cards share the following points earning structures:

2x points on local transit and commuting.
1x point on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.

In addition, the cards earn boosted points in these categories:

ix,000 ceremony points each year.
4x points spent on Southwest Airlines purchases.
3x points spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners.
2x points spent on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and telephone services.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
In-flight Wi-Fi credits.
1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $10,000 you spend. There is no earnings maximum.

3x points spent on Southwest purchases.
2x points spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
Two Early Bird Check-Ins each yr.
25% back on in-flight purchases.
1,500 TQPs toward A-Listing condition for every $10,000 you spend upward to 15,000 TQPs per year.

Frequently asked questions

How do y'all get free Southwest points?

In that location are plenty of ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points including from flights, hotels, motorcar rentals, shopping and dining. You tin also earn Rapid Rewards points by using a Southwest credit bill of fare.

Can I use Southwest points for hotels?

Yeah, if you have a Southwest credit card, you could redeem your points for hotels through the More Rewards portal. Nevertheless, this isn't a practiced use of your points. Nosotros ran the data on many hotel redemptions through More Rewards and found that yous'd be paying 80% higher up what you would pay if you booked directly from the hotel. In improver, you lot'd be getting below our baseline estimated value from your points.

Is information technology worth it to buy points on Southwest?

For the well-nigh role, purchasing points is a bad thought. You lot can buy Southwest points for ii.75 to 3 cents each, but NerdWallet values Southwest points at 1.4 cents each. So if you're purchasing points, yous're overpaying. One of the only times it makes sense to buy points is if you demand to peak up a specific redemption and in that location is no other way to apace earn those points.

How does the Southwest Rapid Rewards program work?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards plan enables members to earn Rapid Rewards points by flight with Southwest Airlines, spending money on partner brands — which include Earth of Hyatt, Alamo, Avis and Hertz — or spending money on a Southwest credit card . And then, you tin redeem those rewards for hotel stays, rental cars, exclusive experiences, international flights and souvenir cards. It's complimentary to enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards programme.

How do I employ Southwest Rapid Rewards points?

More often than not, the best style to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points is for Southwest flights. To book airfare on points, search for your flying every bit usual on Southwest'due south site, merely select the button to search in points rather than dollars. Then, select the flight you want, go through the usual checkout process and points volition be deducted from your online account.

Practise Southwest Rapid Rewards points expire?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don't elapse; however, if y'all close your business relationship, you'll likewise lose the points tied to that business relationship.

How many points are needed for a gratis flight on Southwest?

More often than not speaking, y'all need nearly 3,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book a flight that otherwise has a $49 cash fare. NerdWallet values one point at ane.4 cents , so that figure tin help yous estimate how many points you might need for a free flight. Divide the cost of your ticket in cash by that figure to get a ballpark estimate of how many points yous would need for a free flight.

How much is 15,000 Southwest points worth?

Based on NerdWallet's valuation of one signal at 1.4 cents , fifteen,000 Southwest points is worth about $210. Notwithstanding, call up that points are fabricated-up currencies and their value tin can vary based on how yous redeem them (flights tend to be a good value, while physical goods like magazines tend to exist a terrible value ).

Is Southwest Rapid Rewards worth it?

It'south free to enroll in Southwest Rapid Rewards (you'll just demand to manus over your e-mail accost). Every bit long as you intend to wing on Southwest a few times in your life, it'due south usually worth signing up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards. You'll collect points for your flights that yous can then utilize to volume free flights in the future. Throw in Southwest's best-in-class i.iv cents point valuation (plus the fact that points don't expire) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is one of the best airline rewards programs out there.

How do you lot get free Southwest points?

There are enough of ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points including from flights, hotels, machine rentals, shopping and dining. You lot tin also earn Rapid Rewards points past using a Southwest credit card.

Can I utilize Southwest points for hotels?

Yes, if y'all have a Southwest credit card, you could redeem your points for hotels through the More Rewards portal. However, this isn't a good use of your points. Nosotros ran the data on many hotel redemptions through More Rewards and found that you'd exist

paying lxxx% higher up

what you would pay if you booked directly from the hotel. In addition, y'all'd be getting below our baseline estimated value from your points.

Is it worth it to purchase points on Southwest?

For the well-nigh function, purchasing points is a bad thought. You tin can buy Southwest points for ii.75 to iii cents each, but NerdWallet values Southwest points at

1.4 cents

each. And so if you're purchasing points, you're overpaying. I of the simply times it makes sense to buy points is if you lot need to top up a specific redemption and there is no other way to quickly earn those points.

How does the Southwest Rapid Rewards program work?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program enables members to earn Rapid Rewards points by flight with Southwest Airlines, spending money on partner brands — which include Globe of Hyatt, Alamo, Avis and Hertz — or spending money on a

Southwest credit card

. Then, you can redeem those rewards for hotel stays, rental cars, sectional experiences, international flights and souvenir cards. It'south free to enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards programme.

How do I apply Southwest Rapid Rewards points?

Generally, the best way to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points is for Southwest flights. To book airfare on points, search for your flight as usual on Southwest'southward site, but select the push to search in points rather than dollars. Then, select the flying y'all want, go through the usual checkout process and points will exist deducted from your online business relationship.

Do Southwest Rapid Rewards points expire?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don't expire; notwithstanding, if you close your business relationship, y'all'll besides lose the points tied to that account.

How many points are needed for a complimentary flying on Southwest?

Generally speaking, you need well-nigh 3,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book a flight that otherwise has a $49 cash fare.

NerdWallet values

one bespeak at

1.four cents

, so that figure can help y'all estimate how many points you might need for a free flight. Split the price of your ticket in cash by that figure to go a ballpark gauge of how many points yous would need for a complimentary flight.

How much is 15,000 Southwest points worth?

Based on

NerdWallet'south valuation

of i point at

1.four cents

, 15,000 Southwest points is worth most $210. Notwithstanding, remember that points are made-up currencies and their value tin vary based on how you redeem them (flights tend to be a good value, while physical goods similar magazines

tend to exist a terrible value

Is Southwest Rapid Rewards worth it?

Information technology's free to enroll in Southwest Rapid Rewards (you lot'll but demand to paw over your email accost). As long as yous intend to fly on Southwest a few times in your life, it's commonly worth signing up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards. You'll collect points for your flights that y'all tin then utilise to book free flights in the future. Throw in Southwest's best-in-form 1.4 cents point valuation (plus the fact that points don't elapse) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is one of the best airline rewards programs out in that location.

How to maximize your rewards

Y'all want a travel credit card that prioritizes what'southward important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2022 , including those best for: