Southwest points are airline miles you earn by spending on a Southwest credit card, and you redeem them for flights on Southwest Airlines

When you use a Southwest credit card, you earn points for every dollar you spend. Those points sit in your account until you use them to book a flight. Unlike some airline cards that let you transfer points to hotel chains or other airlines, Southwest points work only for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and a few other Southwest services. The card issuer is Chase, and the points never expire as long as your account stays active.

The earning rate depends on which Southwest card you hold. Most cards earn 1 point per dollar on everyday purchases, with higher earning rates on specific categories like dining or gas. Some cards offer a one-time bonus of points when you first open the account — typically 40,000 to 75,000 points, depending on the card and current offers. That bonus usually requires you to spend a certain amount within the first few months.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest points are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents per point when you redeem them for flights, though the actual value depends on the route and how far in advance you book.
  • You need 6,000 to 15,000 points for a one-way domestic flight, depending on the route's demand and how close the flight date is.
  • Points never expire as long as you keep your Southwest account active, even if you close the credit card itself.
  • You can use points to book flights directly on Southwest's website, upgrade your seat, or pay for a companion to fly free on certain cards.

How many points you need for a flight

Southwest uses a dynamic pricing system, which means the number of points required for the same route changes based on demand and how soon the flight is. A flight from Dallas to Denver might cost 6,000 points on a Tuesday morning in January, but 12,000 points on a Friday evening in July. You can see the exact point cost before you book — Southwest shows it alongside the cash price on their website.

Domestic one-way flights typically range from 6,000 to 15,000 points. International flights cost more, usually 15,000 to 30,000 points one-way depending on the destination. If you book far in advance, you often pay fewer points because demand is lower. If you book within a week of travel, you usually pay more.

The card's annual fee (which varies by card, typically $69 to $99) is worth considering against the points you earn. If you spend enough to earn points that cover a flight or two per year, the fee pays for itself. If you rarely use the card, the fee may not be worth it.

Redeeming points for flights and upgrades

To book a flight with points, log into your Southwest account, search for your route and dates, and select the "Points" option instead of paying cash. Southwest shows you the point cost when ready. You can book one-way or round-trip flights, and you can add a checked bag or seat upgrade at the time of booking or later.

Some Southwest cards come with a Companion Pass, which lets a second person fly free (you pay only taxes and fees, roughly $5 to $15) when you book a paid flight. The Companion Pass is one of the most valuable perks in airline cards because it effectively doubles your travel for the cost of one ticket. Not all Southwest cards offer this — check the card details before you open an account.

You can also use points to upgrade your seat from the basic boarding position to an earlier boarding group, or to purchase a drink or snack on the flight. These redemptions are usually not the best use of your points — a flight is almost always worth more than an upgrade or a drink.

What your points are actually worth

The real value of a Southwest point depends on the flight you book. If you redeem 6,000 points for a flight that would cost $150 in cash, each point is worth about 2.5 cents. If you redeem 12,000 points for a flight that would cost $120 in cash, each point is worth 1 cent. On average, Southwest points are worth between 1 and 1.5 cents per point, but this varies widely.

To get the most value, book flights on high-demand routes (where cash prices are high) and avoid redeeming points for upgrades or snacks. The sign-up bonus is usually the most valuable part of the card — a 50,000-point bonus on a card with a $69 annual fee is worth roughly $500 to $750 in flight value, depending on which routes you fly.

How points stack up against cash back

A Southwest card that earns 1 point per dollar is similar to a cash-back card that earns 1% cash back, except points are locked into Southwest flights while cash back can go anywhere. If you fly Southwest regularly, points are probably worth more because you can concentrate them on high-value redemptions. If you fly different airlines or rarely travel, a general cash-back card might be more flexible.

The Companion Pass changes the math significantly. If you use it even once per year, the card's value jumps because you're getting two people to the destination for roughly the cost of one ticket. That benefit doesn't exist on cash-back cards.

Keeping points active and avoiding expiration

Southwest points don't expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity means earning points, redeeming points, or even just logging into your Southwest account. You don't have to use the credit card itself — if you close the card but keep your Southwest frequent flyer account open and active, your points stay valid.

If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months with no activity, Southwest will close the account and you'll lose the points. If that happens, you can contact Southwest and ask them to reopen the account, though they may not restore the points. The safest approach is to log in once a year or redeem a small number of points for something minor, just to keep the account active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Southwest points to someone else?

Southwest does not allow you to transfer points to another person's account. However, you can book a flight for someone else using your points, and some cards offer a Companion Pass that lets a designated person fly free on your paid flights.

What happens if I close my Southwest credit card?

Closing the card does not close your Southwest frequent flyer account or expire your points. Your points remain in your account as long as you keep the account active (at least one activity every 24 months). You straightforward won't earn new points from credit card spending.

Are Southwest points worth the annual fee?

That depends on how much you spend and how often you fly. If you spend enough to earn at least one flight per year, the fee usually pays for itself. The Companion Pass (on certain cards) makes the fee worth it for most regular Southwest flyers, since it effectively doubles your travel value.

Can I use points to book a flight for a family member?

Yes. You can book any flight for anyone using your points — you don't have to be the passenger. Just search for the flight, select the points option, and enter the other person's name and details at checkout.

How do I know if a flight is a good deal in points?

Compare the point cost to the cash price shown on Southwest's website. Divide the cash price by the number of points to see what each point is worth. If it's 1.5 cents or higher, it's usually a decent redemption. Avoid redeeming points on low-demand flights where the cash price is already cheap.