Overview of Southwest Airlines
World's largest low-cost carrier, based in the United States
Uses both a hub and point-to-point network, allows two free checked bags and exclusively flies Boeing 737 jets in its fleet.
Not a member of any alliance
Hubs
Atlanta (ATL)
Austin (AUS)
Baltimore (BWI)
Chicago–Midway (MDW)
Dallas–Love (DAL)
Denver (DEN)
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Houston–Hobby (HOU)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Oakland (OAK)
Orlando (MCO)
Phoenix–Sky Harbor (PHX)
Route map
Southwest elite status guide
The airline offers miles when you fly, use the shopping portal, apply for a co-branded credit card, transfer from partners and more.
Tiers
Southwest offers two different tiers: A-List, gives status members a 25% bonus on their Rapid Rewards points while A-List Preferred, Southwest’s top status, earn a 100% bonus on their Rapid Rewards points.
Companion Pass
Beginning January 1, 2023, a Member who earns 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or who flies 100 qualifying one-way flights booked through Southwest per calendar year will qualify for Companion Pass. This is good for the remainder of the year you qualify plus the following year.
Upgrades
The main benefit of A-List status is priority boarding. This status essentially ensures you’ll never need to purchase EarlyBird Check-In to get a decent seat.
How to earn redeemable Miles
You can earn a lot of Rapid Rewards points each time you fly with Southwest. The number of points you earn will depend on the class ticket you purchase.
Rapid Reward redemptions
Southwest is a favorite airline among many travelers because of its customer-friendly policies like free checked baggage, no change fees, and the Southwest Companion Pass.
How to earn a lot of Rapid Reward points
American Airlines has a co-branded card offering with Chase Ultimate Rewards
You can transfer points to Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio and Marriott at 3:1 ratio.
You can also transfer points from the following loyalty programs but it’s probably not a great deal.
- Best Western: 5,000 Best Western Rewards to 1,200 Rapid Rewards point
- Radisson Americas: 10 Radisson Rewards to 1 Rapid Rewards point
- Choice Hotels: 6,000 Choice Points to 1,800 Rapid Rewards point
- World of Hyatt: 5,000 World of Hyatt Points to 2,400 Rapid Rewards.
Members can earn extra miles when making online purchases via the Rapid Rewards shopping portal.
Southwest branded credit cards
Cards that transfer to Southwest
Current as of 23.05.08
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