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Redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards for the best value
This customer-friendly program offers many strong redemption options.
From travel, dining and more, Southwest Airlines’s Rapid Rewards makes it easy to earn and redeem points.
What's in this guide?
Awards chart
Here are a few samples illustrating the points you might need to book different flights through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.
| Flight route | Business Select Fare | Anytime Fare | Wanna Get Away Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC to Los Angeles | 43,512 points | 41,481 points | 32,579 points |
| DC to the Bahamas | 32,136 points | 29,952 points | 23,712 points |
| DC to Cancun | 34,086 points | 31,902 points | 22,074 points |
Data obtained March 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
How to redeem points for maximum value
There are many ways you can redeem Rapid Rewards, but flights tend to be the best choice for maximizing your points’ value.
| Fare | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Wanna Get Away fares | 1.6 cents per point |
| Anytime fares | 1.1 cents per point |
| Business Select fares | 0.9 cents per point |
| International fares | 0.8 cents per point |
Data obtained March 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Wanna Get Away fares
You’ll find some of the best bang for your buck when redeeming your Rapid Rewards points for additional travel through Southwest Airlines. Their Wanna Get Away fares in particular offer a great value with each point equaling about 1.6 cents on average.
You’ll get no cash refund on these flights, but Southwest will redeposit the points into your account if you paid entirely with points. These flights go fast so you’ll want to act quickly if you see them.
Anytime fares
Anytime fares are a close runner-up, providing 1.1 cents per point on average. Anytime fares run more expensive than Wanna Get Away fares, though they do allow for full refunds.
Business Select fares
In terms of points value, Business Select fares offer about 0.9 cent per point, placing it third behind Southwest’s other fares. Unfortunately, these fares are higher priced compared to the others, meaning you’ll need to review your options carefully to use your points effectively.
How to Redeem points with Southwest partners
Rapid Rewards points can be redeemed on merchandise sold by partnered retailers. However, the value gained from these redemptions is on average lower than the value gained on redemption for a flight.
| Redemption option | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Gift cards | 0.7 cents per point |
| Car rentals | 0.7 cents per point |
| Merchandise | 0.6 cents per point |
| Hotel | 0.2 cents per point |
| Experiences | Variable |
Data obtained March 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Southwest Experiences
Southwest Experiences is a redemption option with potentially high value if you find a good deal on the Southwest Experiences page. This category is a grab bag of activities, such as tours, admission to museums and tickets to amusement parks.
Airline transfer partners
Southwest Airlines does not currently allow you to transfer your Rapid Rewards points to other airlines.
Southwest Rapid Rewards
How to earn Rapid Rewards points
Rapid Rewards program members can earn points by booking flights through Southwest or by making purchases through partnered businesses.
It can be even easier to earn points using a cobranded credit card. These cards offer signup bonuses, accelerate basic membership rates and offer travel perks with Southwest Airlines. For a full rundown of how to best earn Southwest points, check out our complete guide.
What are Southwest’s reward tiers?
Booking a certain number of flights in a calendar year or earning a certain number of tier qualifying points can qualify you for Southwest’s A-List and A-List Preferred status. Being an A-List member earns you a percentage bonus on your Rapid Reward points earnings.
| Tier | Flights required | Percentage bonus |
|---|---|---|
| A-List |
| 25% bonus points |
| A-List Preferred |
| 100% bonus points |
Our pick for a Southwest credit card
Compare cards with Southwest Rapid Rewards points
Southwest Airlines cobranded cards earn Rapid Rewards points directly on your purchases, while also offering unique card perks such as Companion Pass access and annual bonus points on your cardmember anniversary.
If you want to build your Rapid Rewards points without committing to a Southwest Airlines card, Chase allows you to transfer its Ultimate Rewards points from premium cards to Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. In fact, depending on your spending and travel habits, you might find it easier to build Rapid Rewards points using a Chase card.
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Bottom line
If you often fly Southwest Airlines, the Rapid Rewards program is an easy way to earn points toward airfare, hotels and more, especially if you’re an A-List member or in a higher tier.
With a cobranded card or a premium Chase card, you stand to earn even more rewards on your purchases. Review your options to find the Rapid Rewards card that best fits your spending and travel needs.
Frequently asked questions
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