Southwest Airlines Guide: Booking & Maximizing Rewards

For years, Southwest was defined by a specific set of rules: open seating and “bags fly free.” In a major shift announced in late 2024 and implemented throughout 2025, the airline is moving toward assigned seating and premium extra-legroom options [1].

The Four Fare Classes

When booking, you must choose between four distinct tiers. Your choice directly impacts how many Rapid Rewards points you earn per dollar spent:

• Business Select (Choice Extra): Earns 14 points per $1. Includes priority boarding, a premium drink, and “Extra Legroom” seating (starting in 2026).
• Anytime (Choice Preferred): Earns 10 points per $1. Offers high flexibility for same-day changes.
• Wanna Get Away Plus (Choice): Earns 6 points per $1. Allows for transferable flight credits if you cancel.
• Basic (Replacing Wanna Get Away): Earns only 2 points per $1 [2]. Note that for flights booked after May 28, 2025, the “two bags fly free” policy is restricted on Basic fares for non-status members [1].

The Rapid Rewards program is revenue-based, meaning the points price of a ticket is directly tied to the cash price. There is no fixed award chart.

Step-by-Step Redemption

1. Log In: Access your account on the Southwest Airlines website.
2. Toggle to Points: In the search widget, select the “Points” radio button instead of “Dollars.”
3. Low Fare Calendar: Use the Low Fare Calendar to find the cheapest dates. Since points track with cash prices, the lowest cash fares always represent the lowest point redemptions.
4. Pay Taxes: Even on “free” flights, you must pay government taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 for one-way domestic flights [3].

Using Cash + Points

If you don’t have enough points for a full flight, Southwest now allows you to pay with a combination of both. You need a minimum of 1,000 points to use this feature. However, keep in mind that the cash portion of these bookings only earns points on flights completed after January 1, 2026 [4].

The average value of a Southwest point is approximately 1.3 to 1.4 cents [5]. To get a “deal,” you should aim for redemptions where your points cover a higher-than-average cash cost.

Leveraging the Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered the best value in domestic travel. It allows one designated person to fly with you for just the cost of taxes ($5.60) every time you fly—whether you paid cash or points for your ticket [6].

• How to Earn: You need 135,000 qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.

• Pro Tip: Points earned from Southwest Credit Card sign-up bonuses count toward the 135,000-point requirement [5].

Strategic Transfers

Southwest is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can move points instantly to your Southwest account [5]. This is often more efficient than using the “More Rewards” portal, which typically offers lower value for gift cards or merchandise [7].

Partner Earnings

Beyond flying, you can boost your balance through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, which features over 1,100 retailers. For ground travel, Southwest offers points for car rentals. While Southwest doesn’t fly toMoai-filled destinations (like we discussed in our Easter Island Guide: Where to Find Moai and History), they have extensive partnerships with rental agencies. If you are booking a car for a domestic trip, consider checking if you can combine rewards, much like the strategies found in The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Costco Rental Car.

Action Plan for Travelers

1. Join Rapid Rewards: It is free, and points never expire [4].
2. Evaluate Fare Types: Avoid “Basic” fares if you need to check two bags or want to earn maximum points.
3. Monitor the Low Fare Calendar: Re-book your flights if the price drops; Southwest will refund the point difference to your account [1].
4. Target the Companion Pass: Time your credit card applications for early in the year so you can enjoy the pass for nearly two full years [5].

Southwest remains a powerhouse for domestic and Caribbean travel. While the shift to assigned seating and limited free bags on basic fares changes the experience, the flexibility of the Rapid Rewards program and the unmatched value of the Companion Pass continue to make it a dominant choice for budget-conscious but comfort-focused travelers.