While traveling, it becomes clear that the have-nots are those who have elite status and the perks that come with it. For some, however, these are very different.
With so many questions about loyalty programs, we wanted to answer some of them in this series.
How to earn points with Southwest Airlines
Members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program can earn points for flying with the airline based on the price they pay and the type of flight they take. They can also earn points with their partners when they shop, dine, and stay in a hotel.
How To Become A Southwest Airlines Elite Member
After becoming a member of the program, members can immediately earn elite status. They can either earn A-List status through flying a certain number of qualifying flights or A-List Preferred through earning a certain number of points in a calendar year.
One perk that's included with these levels is the Companion Pass, which allows members to fly with one other person for free whenever they purchase or redeem points. This perk is good for the following year, and it can be used for the rest of the year.
Related: Does Southwest Premium Economy Get Lounge Access?
Why Southwest Is Deserving of A Second Look
If you fly with Southwest, the company's Rapid Rewards program can provide excellent value.
In 2019, the US carried out 811 million domestic trips and 45 million international flights. The total number of people traveling outside of North America was less than 4% of the country's population.
If you’re looking for a reward that can take you to a different part of the world, Southwest isn't the best choice.
Easy to Earn Points via Credit Cards, Transfer Partners, Flying, and Portals
The Rapid Rewards program is an easy-to-navigate program that gives members access to a variety of rewards programs. Aside from flying, you can also use points from other cards and travel accommodations.
All Southwest cards are issued by Chase, and they have a restriction that prevents you from carrying more than one card at a time.
The Ultimate Rewards program from Chase is the only one that allows members to transfer their points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio. It's also the fastest way to earn Southwest points.
If you have at least one Chase card, you can also use Chase Ultimate Rewards cards. These cards have no annual fee.
You can also rack up points through various channels, such as the Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal and the Rapid Rewards Hotel Portal. You need to sign in to get the most out of the program. For instance, Southwest gives hotels 10% bonus points.
Unlike other airlines, Southwest is an independent entity. So, while you can't earn Rapid Rewards points on other airlines, they still have one of the easiest to use programs out there.
Easy to Redeem Points With No Blackout Dates
Unfortunately, frequent flyer programs typically have blackout dates. When flying with Southwest, there is no blackout date. You can still book a seat with Rapid Rewards points.
Southwest Makes It Easy to Get a Consistent Redemption Value for Your Points
Because the value of your points is tied to the cash price of your ticket, they are typically static. When compared to other carriers, Southwest's redemptions are typically worth around 1.4 to 1.6 per point.
With The Companion Pass, You And Your Friends Or Family May Fly For Free
To earn the Companion Pass, you must fly at least 100 segments in a calendar year, and you must have earned 125,000 Rapid Rewards points. Unfortunately, points from hotel and bank partners are not counted towards the pass.
The Companion Pass is the most sought-after perk in travel. It lets you fly with someone who has a Southwest account to anywhere in the world.
Your Bags Float Away
Most airlines in the U.S. have restrictive baggage policies that can cost you a huge sum of money. On Southwest, you can check two bags for free.
This also means that you can avoid the endless planning and checking of bags. It saves you time and helps minimize the amount of luggage that you carry.
Although there are plenty of ways to avoid paying for bags with other airlines, Southwest doesn't require you to do anything special to get free bags.
Change & Cancellation Policy For The Best Award
With Southwest, you can always change or cancel an award ticket without paying anything. The points are instantly returned to your account.
Most airlines have their own rules when it comes to free changes. For instance, if you booked a flight with Delta, you might not be able to get a free change.
Have you ever bought a ticket far in advance and then suddenly decided to cancel it? Southwest has the best change and cancellation policy in the U.S.
You can change or cancel a ticket up to 10 minutes before the flight begins. If you find a great last-minute deal, you won't pay a penny extra.
Related: Guide to Southwest Transfers and Partnerships
Conclusion
If you're looking for a simple and easy-to-understand rewards program, then Southwest is for you. The company's Companion Pass is the best value and top return on your everyday spend.
Unlike most airlines, Southwest's program points are based on the price of a ticket. They are computed using a combination of factors, such as distance and ticket type.
It’s rare for an airline to change the terms and conditions of a program that affects millions of customers. In this instance, the change happened without warning customers.
