Maximize Your Southwest Rapid Rewards Points: A Comprehensive Guide

The Southwest Rapid Rewards loyalty program may not boast the same elite perks as some other airlines, but it offers significant value for travelers. Key benefits include the absence of blackout dates for award redemptions and the highly coveted Companion Pass, which allows you to bring a companion on both paid and award flights for just the cost of taxes and fees.

If you’re new to Southwest Airlines or seeking to understand its loyalty program better, this guide will cover everything you need to know about redeeming your Rapid Rewards points, including recent changes to the program and credit card offerings.

Redeeming Your Points: The Best Options

You can redeem Rapid Rewards points for a variety of options, including gift cards, merchandise, hotels, experiences, and Rapid Rewards Access Events. However, redeeming points for Southwest flights generally provides the best return on your investment.

One of the most appealing features of the Rapid Rewards program is the promise of no blackout dates. This means you can use your points to book any available Southwest Airlines ticket. Even if there’s only one seat left on a flight, you can book it with points—though be prepared for potentially high point costs.

The booking process is straightforward. Simply visit Southwest’s website, input your flight search criteria, and select the “Points” option at the top right. You can filter results by price, duration, and departure time to find the best option for your needs. Once you’ve made your selection, log in to your account and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your redemption.

Understanding Variable Award Rates

Recently, the Rapid Rewards program shifted to a “variable” award rate system. Previously, the points required for a flight were closely aligned with the cash price. Now, the value of your points can fluctuate based on the specific flight and travel dates, which means you may be able to stretch your points further, but it may take some effort to identify high-value redemptions.

For instance, a one-way flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu on a Tuesday in September might cost as low as 7,500 Rapid Rewards points plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. In contrast, the same flight on a busy Saturday in January could set you back 25,500 points plus the same $5.60, resulting in a lower value of 1.12 cents per point.

To maximize the value of your points, consider booking flights during off-peak times or using points for less popular routes.

Navigating Fare Classes and Their Benefits

As you explore redemption options, keep in mind that the value of your points tends to decrease with higher fare classes. However, if the benefits of a more expensive fare class—such as free checked bags or the ability to choose any seat—are valuable to you, it may still be worth booking with points.

For example, top-tier Choice Extra fares offer two free checked bags and the option to select any seat at booking, including Southwest’s new extra-legroom seats, which will be available in early 2026.

If you hold a Chase travel card, you can also redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for Southwest flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Flights booked this way are treated as revenue tickets, allowing you to earn Rapid Rewards points even when using points for your booking.

Chase’s new Points Boost system enables holders of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to redeem points for up to 1.75 cents each, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can achieve rates of up to 2 cents per point, depending on the redemption.

However, keep in mind that prices may be higher when booking through Chase Travel, so it’s wise to compare rates with Southwest’s website before finalizing your purchase.

Flexible Change and Cancellation Policies

One of the standout features of the Rapid Rewards program is its flexible change and cancellation policies. If the cost of an award flight you’ve booked decreases, you can easily rebook your trip at the lower rate and receive a refund of the points difference.

Should your plans change, you can cancel your award flight without penalty, as long as you do so at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. Your points will be refunded to your account, and you can even have any taxes paid returned to the credit card used for booking.

However, note that basic economy tickets do not allow for free same-day changes or complimentary same-day standby requests.

The Value of the Companion Pass

A prime way to enhance the value of your Rapid Rewards points is by earning the Southwest Companion Pass. This valuable benefit allows you to select a companion to fly with you on all Southwest flights during the validity of your pass. Your companion will only need to cover the taxes and fees for their ticket, regardless of whether you paid with cash or points.

To earn the Companion Pass, you need to accumulate either 135,000 qualifying points or complete 100 qualifying one-way flights on Southwest within a calendar year. Once achieved, the pass is valid for the remainder of that year and the entire following year.

You can earn Companion Pass-qualifying points through paid Southwest flights (including those booked with Cash + Points), bonuses from Southwest credit cards, and spending through Rapid Rewards portals.

Currently, the welcome bonuses from any of Southwest’s consumer cards—such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card—can get you nearly three-quarters of the way to a Companion Pass.

Joining the Rapid Rewards Program

Joining the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is free and straightforward. Simply visit Southwest’s website, click on the “Create account” link, fill in the required information, and click the yellow “Create account” button. Your account will be activated immediately, allowing you to start earning and redeeming Rapid Rewards points.

Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open. However, be aware that flight credits issued on or after May 28, 2025, will have a 12-month expiration for Choice fares and just six months for Basic fares.

You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Rapid Rewards account at a 1:1 ratio, making it easy to boost your points balance. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 Rapid Rewards points for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

The Future of Rapid Rewards

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program has long been a favorite among travelers for its flexibility and extensive domestic network. As Southwest expands its partnerships—potentially with airlines like Icelandair and China Airlines—the value of Rapid Rewards points may continue to evolve. However, with some recent changes to the program, it remains to be seen how these adjustments will impact the overall value of the loyalty program.

As you plan your next travel adventure, understanding how to effectively use your Southwest Rapid Rewards points can significantly enhance your travel experience, making it both enjoyable and cost-effective.