Southwest Airlines: A Complete Guide to Booking and Maximizing Rapid Rewards

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Southwest Airlines holds a unique position in the airline industry. Renowned for its customer-friendly policies, extensive route network, and the wildly popular Rapid Rewards® program, it’s a favorite for many travelers. Whether you’re a seasoned Southwest flyer or considering them for your next trip, this comprehensive guide will delve deep into the intricacies of booking and unlocking the full potential of Rapid Rewards.

Table of Contents

  1. Booking Your Southwest Flight: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
  2. Mastering the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program
  3. Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Southwest Experience
  4. Conclusion

Booking Your Southwest Flight: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Booking a Southwest flight is known for its simplicity, but understanding the nuances can save you time and money.

The primary way to book is through Southwest’s official website (southwest.com) or their mobile app. Both platforms are user-friendly and offer a consistent experience.

  1. Entering Your Search Criteria:

    • Origin and Destination: Simply type in the city names or airport codes. Southwest serves a vast network, including many smaller and secondary airports, so be precise.
    • Travel Dates: Use the calendar tool to select your departure and return dates (if applicable). Southwest’s flexible date search allows you to easily see fares over a range of dates, which is crucial for finding the best deals.
    • Number of Passengers: Specify the number of adults, children (2-11 years old), and infants (under 2, not requiring a seat). Note Southwest’s policy regarding infants – they can travel on an adult’s lap for free domestically, but you’ll need to call to add them to your reservation.
    • Wanna Get Away®+, Anytime, or Business Select®: These are Southwest’s fare types, which we’ll discuss in detail later. While you can select a preference here, don’t worry too much at this stage, as you’ll see options for all available fares on the results page.

  2. Viewing Search Results:

    • The results page displays available flights based on your criteria. You’ll see different flight options, including direct flights, connecting flights, and varying departure/arrival times.
    • Price Display: Prices are typically shown in both US Dollars and Rapid Rewards points. This is a key feature of Southwest, allowing you to easily compare cash and points costs.
    • Fare Types: For each flight option, you’ll see the available fare types (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away+, Anytime, Business Select) and their corresponding prices/points.
    • Flight Details: Click on the flight details to see information like layover times, aircraft type (though this is less critical for booking than with some other airlines), and seat availability within each fare class.

  3. Selecting Your Flights:

    • Choose your desired departure and return flights. As you select, a summary of your trip will appear, showing the total cost in both cash and points.

  4. Entering Passenger Information:

    • You’ll need to provide the full names, dates of birth, and genders of all passengers. Ensure this information exactly matches their government-issued identification that they’ll use for travel.
    • You’ll also have the option to add your Rapid Rewards number here if you didn’t log in beforehand.

  5. Choosing Add-ons (Optional):

    • Southwest is known for its “Transfarency” – no hidden fees. However, they do offer some optional add-ons:
      • EarlyBird Check-In®: Purchase this to be automatically checked in 36 hours before your flight, improving your boarding position assignment.
      • Upgraded Boarding: If available, you can purchase a better boarding position (A1-A15) closer to departure.
      • Travel Insurance: Offered by third-party providers.

  6. Payment Information:

    • Enter your credit card details or choose to pay with Rapid Rewards points, a combination of points and cash, or other accepted forms of payment like Southwest gift cards.
    • If you’re paying with points, the system will deduct the required points from your Rapid Rewards account. If you’re paying with points plus cash (a feature allowing you to use points towards a portion of the fare), you’ll specify how many points you want to use.

  7. Review and Confirm:

    • Carefully review all your flight details, passenger information, and payment method before confirming your booking.
    • Once confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your reservation details and confirmation number.

Understanding Southwest’s Open Seating Policy

Southwest does not assign seats. Instead, they have an “open seating” policy based on boarding groups (A, B, and C) and positions within those groups (1-60). Your boarding position determines when you board the plane and therefore your choice of seats.

  • How Boarding Positions are Determined: Boarding positions are primarily assigned when you check in for your flight (starting 24 hours before departure). The earlier you check in, generally the better your boarding group and position will be.
  • Strategies for Better Boarding Positions:
    • Check-in Exactly at 24 Hours: Be ready to check in precisely 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
    • Purchase EarlyBird Check-In: This automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight, giving you a better chance of a higher boarding position without needing to be online at the 24-hour mark.
    • Purchase Business Select Fares: Business Select fares automatically come with an A1-A15 boarding position.
    • Purchase Upgraded Boarding: If available, you can purchase an A1-A15 position at the gate within 24 hours of departure.
    • Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Performance Credit Cards: Certain Southwest co-branded credit cards offer benefits like priority boarding or credits towards upgraded boarding.
    • Southwest A-List Status: A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding.

Understanding Southwest’s Fare Types: Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away+, Anytime, and Business Select

Southwest offers several fare types, each with different features and price points. Choosing the right fare depends on your travel needs and flexibility.

  • Wanna Get Away: This is Southwest’s most affordable fare class.
    • Pros: Lowest price. Standard Rapid Rewards earning.
    • Cons: Most restrictive. Non-refundable (though the value of the fare can be held as travel funds for future use). Changes or cancellations result in the value of the fare being held as travel funds. No same-day change benefits.
  • Wanna Get Away+ (Introduced in 2022): This mid-tier fare offers a balance of price and flexibility.
    • Pros: More flexible than Wanna Get Away. Ability to transfer travel funds to a different Traveler. Same-day change benefits (free same-day confirmed changes or same-day standby on eligible routes if a seat is available). Standard Rapid Rewards earning.
    • Cons: More expensive than Wanna Get Away. Still non-refundable (value held as transferable travel funds).
  • Anytime: This fare type offers considerably more flexibility.
    • Pros: Fully refundable. No change or cancellation fees. Value of fare can be refunded to the original form of payment or held as travel funds. Higher Rapid Rewards earning rate than Wanna Get Away/+. Includes EarlyBird Check-In.
    • Cons: Significantly more expensive than Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away+.
  • Business Select: This is Southwest’s premium fare class, offering maximum benefits.
    • Pros: Fully refundable. No change or cancellation fees. Value of fare can be refunded to the original form of payment or held as travel funds. Highest Rapid Rewards earning rate. Guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position. Priority check-in and security lane access (where available). Free premium drink (where available).
    • Cons: Most expensive fare.

Important Note on Fare Changes: Southwest has one of the most flexible change policies in the industry. You can change or cancel any fare without penalty (excluding Wanna Get Away, where the value is held as travel funds). If the new fare is lower, you’ll receive the difference as travel funds. If the new fare is higher, you’ll pay the difference. This applies to both cash and points bookings.

Payment Options

Southwest offers various ways to pay for your flight:

  • Credit/Debit Card: The most common payment method.
  • Rapid Rewards Points: Pay for your entire flight or a portion of it with points.
  • Southwest Gift Cards: Can be used for the full or partial cost of a fare.
  • Travel Funds: Funds held from previously canceled flights.
  • LUV Vouchers: Promotional vouchers occasionally issued by Southwest.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay: Convenient mobile payment options.

Using Your Southwest Rapid Rewards Points

Using your points for flights is typically the most valuable redemption option in the Rapid Rewards program. The point value is tied directly to the cash price of the fare, meaning there are no blackout dates or capacity controls when redeeming points. If there’s a seat available for purchase with cash, you can book it with points.

  1. Search for Flights: Follow the standard booking process.
  2. Select “Points” or “Dollars” When Searching: You can easily switch between viewing prices in cash or points.
  3. Choose Your Flights: Select the desired flights, and the total points required will be displayed.
  4. Confirm and Pay: If you have enough points, you can complete the booking. If you don’t have enough, you may be able to use a combination of points and cash (depending on eligibility and availability).

Mastering the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program

The Rapid Rewards program is designed for simplicity and generosity. Points are earned based on the fare type and the cost of your ticket.

Earning Rapid Rewards Points

Here’s how you can rack up Rapid Rewards points:

  • Flying with Southwest: This is the primary way to earn points. The number of points earned per dollar spent varies by fare type:
    • Wanna Get Away: 6 points per dollar
    • Wanna Get Away+: 8 points per dollar
    • Anytime: 10 points per dollar
    • Business Select: 12 points per dollar
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: Southwest offers several co-branded credit cards through Chase. These cards are excellent for earning points on everyday spending and often come with valuable welcome bonuses. They are also crucial for earning Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) towards A-List status.
  • Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Earn points by shopping online at participating retailers through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
  • Rapid Rewards Dining Program: Link your credit card and earn points by dining at participating restaurants.
  • Hotel and Car Rental Partners: Earn points by booking hotels and rental cars through Southwest’s partners.
  • Other Partners: Southwest also has partnerships with various companies for earning points, such as energy providers and survey companies.

Understanding Point Value

One of the strengths of Rapid Rewards is the predictable value of your points. Generally, the value of a Rapid Rewards point when redeemed for Wanna Get Away fares is relatively consistent, often hovering around 1.5-1.7 cents per point. While this isn’t a fixed value and can fluctuate slightly, it’s much more stable and easier to understand than the often variable point values in other airline loyalty programs. As the cash price of a flight goes up, the point price also goes up proportionally.

Achieving Elite Status: A-List and A-List Preferred

Southwest’s elite status program, A-List and A-List Preferred, offers valuable perks for frequent flyers. Status is earned based on Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) earned in a calendar year or a certain number of qualifying one-way flights.

  • Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs): Earned from revenue flights on Southwest (points earned from the fare type determine TQPs) and spending on certain Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards.
  • Qualifying One-Way Flights: Simply flying a certain number of paid one-way flights on Southwest.

A-List Status Requirements:

  • Earn 35,000 TQPs in a calendar year OR fly 25 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.

A-List Benefits:

  • Priority Boarding (typically A-list members board before the regular A group, after Business Select). Your boarding position will usually be A16-A35 (though it can vary based on the number of A-List members on the flight).
  • 25% Earning Bonus on Rapid Rewards Points for paid flights.
  • Priority Check-in and Security Lane Access (where available).
  • Dedicated A-List Phone Line.
  • Free Same-Day Confirmed Change on eligible routes (if available and the fare class is the same). Note: If no seat is available for a confirmed change, you can request to be on the same-day standby list for free.

A-List Preferred Status Requirements:

  • Earn 70,000 TQPs in a calendar year OR fly 50 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.

A-List Preferred Benefits:

  • All A-List benefits.
  • 100% Earning Bonus on Rapid Rewards Points for paid flights (double the points compared to a non-status member).
  • Free In-Flight Wi-Fi (on Wi-Fi enabled aircrafts).

The Holy Grail: Companion Pass®

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable travel benefits in the United States. It allows you to designate one person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees, which are minimal for domestic travel) on any paid or Rapid Rewards redemption flight you take.

How to Earn the Companion Pass:

Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year OR fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.

What Counts Towards Qualifying Points:

  • Points earned from flying on Southwest.
  • Points earned from spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards. Importantly, this includes welcome bonuses from these cards!
  • Points earned from Southwest partners (shopping, dining, hotels, rental cars, etc.).
  • Purchased points do not count towards the Companion Pass.

The Easiest Way to Earn the Companion Pass:

Historically, the quickest way to earn the Companion Pass is by strategically applying for and meeting the spending requirements for the welcome bonuses on two Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. If the combined welcome bonuses are 135,000 points or more within a calendar year, you’ll earn the Companion Pass. Rules and welcome bonus offers can change, so always check the latest offers.

Companion Pass Benefits:

  • Bring a designated companion with you on any Southwest flight for free (just pay taxes and fees) on both paid and points redemptions.
  • The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year. This makes earning it early in a year particularly beneficial.
  • You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.

Redeeming Rapid Rewards Points for Other Options

While flights offer the best value, you can also use your points for:

  • Gift Cards: Redeem points for gift cards to various retailers. However, the redemption ratio is typically poor compared to flight redemptions.
  • Merchandise: Redeem points for items from the Rapid Rewards shopping portal. Again, generally a poor value compared to flights.
  • Experiences: Occasionally, limited-time redemption options for events or experiences may be available.

Recommendation: For the vast majority of travelers, redeeming Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights is the most advantageous use of your points.

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Southwest Experience

Beyond understanding the basics, these tips can help you get the most out of your Southwest travels and Rapid Rewards points.

Be Flexible with Your Dates and Times

Southwest’s flexible date search is your friend. Prices for both cash and points can vary significantly depending on the day of the week, time of day, and season. Playing around with your travel dates can lead to substantial savings.

Rebook Your Flight If the Price Drops

This is a fantastic Southwest benefit! If you book a flight and the cash or points price drops for the exact same itinerary, you can rebook it and receive the difference back.

  • For Cash Bookings: You’ll receive the difference as travel funds.
  • For Points Bookings: The difference in points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account.

Check the Southwest website or app periodically after booking to see if the price has decreased.

Utilize the Southwest LUV Seat Sales

Southwest frequently runs sales with discounted fares, often referred to as “LUV Seat Sales.” Stay informed about these sales by subscribing to Southwest’s email list or following them on social media.

Take Advantage of Their Generous Baggage Policy

Southwest allows every passenger with a paid fare (including infants traveling on an adult’s lap) to check two bags free of charge, provided they meet the size and weight requirements. This is a significant cost-saving compared to most other airlines.

  • First Checked Bag: Free
  • Second Checked Bag: Free
  • Size Limit (per bag): 62 inches (length + width + height)
  • Weight Limit (per bag): 50 lbs.

Oversized or overweight bags will incur fees.

Pack Smart and Maximize Your Carry-On

In addition to the two free checked bags, you are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Utilize this allowance to keep essentials and valuables with you in the cabin.

Understand the Family Boarding Process

Southwest offers “Family Boarding” between the A and B groups. This allows one adult traveling with a child aged six or under to board during this time. This is a great way to ensure families can sit together, even if they didn’t get early boarding positions.

Consider a Southwest Airlines Credit Card

As mentioned earlier, Southwest credit cards are an excellent way to earn points rapidly and potentially qualify for the Companion Pass. They also come with other benefits like priority boarding (on some cards) and annual point bonuses. Choose the card that best fits your spending habits and travel goals.

Be Aware of Their International Destinations

While often associated with domestic travel, Southwest has an expanding international network, primarily to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Fares are typically competitive, and you can use your Rapid Rewards points for these flights as well.

How to Contact Southwest Airlines

Should you need assistance, Southwest offers several ways to contact them:

  • Phone: Their customer service phone number is readily available on their website.
  • Social Media: Southwest is quite responsive on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
  • Website/App: Many issues can be resolved through their online tools and FAQs.

Conclusion

Southwest Airlines, with its unique approach to air travel and the powerful Rapid Rewards program, offers a compelling option for many travelers. By understanding their booking process, fare types, and the intricacies of earning and redeeming Rapid Rewards points (especially the coveted Companion Pass and A-List status), you can unlock significant value and enjoy a comfortable and flexible travel experience. Whether you’re planning a quick domestic hop or an international getaway, mastering the Southwest ecosystem can lead to more rewarding and affordable vacations. Happy travels with Southwest!

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