Southwest Rapid Rewards: how to earn, redeem and maximize points

Southwest Airlines has undergone substantial shifts in recent years, introducing assigned seating, checked bag fees and new fare types while expanding international reach through interline partnerships. Yet the Rapid Rewards loyalty program retains core advantages: no blackout dates on awards and the ability to earn a Companion Pass, one of the most valuable benefits in airline loyalty.

Understanding Point Value

The Points Guy values Rapid Rewards points at 1.25 cents per point as of October 2026, which means 10,000 points translate to roughly $125 in value. According to TPG’s testing, actual redemption value varies considerably based on flight date and demand, ranging from as little as 1.1 cents to as much as 1.7 cents per point.

Points themselves never expire as long as your account remains active. If you close your account, however, any remaining points are forfeited.

Elite Status Tiers

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A-List

Reaching A-List status requires either 20 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points within a calendar year. Tier qualifying points are earned primarily from paid revenue flights, spending on select Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and bookings through Getaways by Southwest. Points from partners, transferred points, purchased points and most bonus categories, including credit card welcome bonuses, do not count toward elite qualification.

Beginning in 2026, members now earn tier qualifying points on the cash portion when using Southwest’s Cash + Points option.

A-List Preferred

A-List Preferred requires double the qualification: 40 qualifying one-way flights or 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. Members receive all A-List benefits plus preferred seats, early boarding and expedited security at select airports.

How to Earn Rapid Rewards Points

Earning Through Flights

The number of points earned on a paid flight depends on the fare class purchased, elite status and payment method. Basic fares earn 2 points per dollar spent on the base fare, Choice fares earn 6 points per dollar, Choice Preferred fares yield 10 points per dollar, and the premium Choice Extra fares earn 14 points per dollar.

Elite members receive earning bonuses: A-List members get a 25% bonus on qualifying flight earnings, while A-List Preferred members receive a 100% bonus.

Southwest’s partnership with Icelandair, its first international airline partner, allows you to earn Rapid Rewards points when booking on that airline, provided you add your Rapid Rewards number to the reservation. These points count toward both A-List qualification and Companion Pass progress. Other interline partnerships, including EVA Air, do not currently offer point earning or redemption.

Points From Credit Cards and Transfers

Southwest cobrands several credit cards issued by Chase, each offering welcome bonuses and ongoing earning on non-flight purchases. Additionally, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Points transfer to Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, providing another path to accumulate points without flying.

Other earning opportunities come through Rapid Rewards Dining, Rapid Rewards Shopping, Southwest Hotels stays and purchases with partner merchants.

Buying Points

You can purchase Rapid Rewards points directly from Southwest to top off your balance for a redemption. The minimum purchase is 2,000 points, with a daily limit of 60,000 points per day for yourself or as a gift. Points usually cost 3 cents each, though Southwest occasionally runs promotions to lower this price. Purchased points do not count toward A-List, A-List Preferred or Companion Pass qualification.

Redeeming Points for Flights

The Four Fare Classes

Redemptions can be made in any of Southwest’s four fare types, each with distinct benefits and point costs.

Basic is the lowest-priced option and appeals to point-conscious travelers, though it comes with restrictions. Standard seats are assigned at check-in unless your elite status or credit card provides earlier selection. Cash Basic fares are nonrefundable outside Southwest’s 24-hour cancellation window; canceling yields a flight credit rather than a refund. Changing a Basic award requires first upgrading to a higher fare class or canceling and rebooking.

Choice fares offer greater flexibility, including free same-day confirmed changes and standby options. If you need to cancel, the flight credit can be transferred to another person. The main benefit for most redemptions is the ability to select a standard seat at the time of booking.

Choice Preferred fares include all Choice benefits plus preferred seats, early boarding and expedited security at select airports. If an extra-legroom seat becomes available 48 hours before departure, you can select it at no extra cost. These fares are fully refundable, unlike Basic.

Choice Extra is the premium option, offering complimentary extra-legroom seat selection at booking and two free checked bags. A free alcoholic drink is included on flights over 250 miles.

Flight Credits and Taxes

When canceling an award, the validity of your flight credit depends on the fare class. Basic fare credits expire within six months and cannot be transferred or extended. Choice and higher fares generate credits valid for 12 months, which can be transferred to another person.

Award bookings are subject to taxes and fees starting at $5.60 one-way. If you cancel the award, these fees are refunded to your payment method.

The Companion Pass

The Companion Pass stands as the program’s defining feature, allowing you to designate one person who then flies for just the cost of taxes and fees on any Southwest flight you book. This benefit can be used unlimited times, effectively doubling your point value.

You earn a Companion Pass by flying 100 one-way segments with Southwest or accumulating 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Qualifying points include those earned from flights, credit card welcome bonuses, credit card spending, the Southwest debit card and base points from hotel and car rental partners plus Rapid Rewards Dining and Shopping purchases. Partner bonus points do not count.

Notably, transferred points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt do not count toward Companion Pass progress.

Once earned, you designate your companion through your Southwest account. You can change your companion up to three times per year, though you must cancel any reservations with your current companion first. The airline states it may take up to 48 hours for a companion change to take effect. Your companion does not earn Rapid Rewards points on their flight, but you continue earning points if you fly on a paid ticket.

A Companion Pass remains valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it is earned plus the entirety of the following year, unless earned through a special promotional offer.

Maximizing Value Through Flexibility

Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar displays the lowest available fare for each day across a month, helping flexible travelers identify cheaper travel dates. If your dates permit adjustment, comparing nearby days before booking can significantly reduce the points needed.

After booking a Choice, Choice Preferred or Choice Extra award, you can monitor prices and rebook at a lower rate if one becomes available; Southwest will return the difference in points to your account. Basic fares cannot be simply changed downward, but canceling and rebooking may be possible within the fare rules.

Flexible travelers can find maximum value by combining these approaches: identifying low-fare dates via the calendar, monitoring prices after booking and choosing the appropriate fare class for specific trip needs.

Source: The Points Guy Articles