Southwest Airlines points transfer to another person through their transfer partner program, but the process has real limits on who can receive them and how much it costs.

Southwest does not allow you to transfer points directly to a friend or family member for free. Instead, you can transfer points only through their Rapid Rewards transfer partners, which is a small list of hotel and car rental companies. When you transfer points this way, you are not sending points to a person — you are converting your Southwest points into points or credits with a partner company, and that partner company then issues those to someone else's account.

The transfer process takes a few business days, and Southwest charges a fee based on how many points you move. The partner company may also charge its own fee. This route works if the person you want to help stays at one of the partner hotels or rents from one of the partner car companies, but it does not work if you straightforward want to give them Southwest points to use on flights.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest points can only be transferred through partner companies like Marriott Bonvoy, Hertz, and National Car Rental — not directly to another person's Southwest account.
  • Southwest charges a fee to transfer points, calculated per 1,000 points transferred, and the fee varies depending on the partner company.
  • The person receiving the points must have an active account with the partner company before you can transfer points to them.
  • If you want to give someone the ability to use your Southwest points on flights, you can add them as an authorized user on your Rapid Rewards account instead of transferring points.

Which Partner Companies Accept Southwest Points Transfers

Southwest's transfer partners change occasionally, so the current list may differ from what you see elsewhere. As of now, the main partners include Marriott Bonvoy (hotels), Hertz (car rental), and National Car Rental (car rental). A few other hotel chains and travel companies may also be on the list, but these three are the most commonly used.

Before you transfer points to any partner, check that the person you want to help actually has an account with that company and plans to use it. If they do not have a Marriott Bonvoy account, for example, you would need to ask them to open one first, and then you can transfer your Southwest points into their Marriott account.

How Much It Costs to Transfer Points

Southwest charges a fee for every transfer, and the fee is not a flat amount — it scales with the number of points you send. The fee is typically charged per 1,000 points, and the cost per 1,000 points varies by partner. For example, transferring points to Marriott Bonvoy may cost a different amount per 1,000 points than transferring to Hertz.

You can see the exact fee for each partner before you complete the transfer on Southwest's website. The partner company may also charge its own fee when it receives the points and converts them into its own currency. This means the total cost of moving your points to someone else can add up quickly, especially if you are transferring a large number of points.

The Step-by-Step Transfer Process

To transfer points through a partner, log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account online and look for the "Transfer Points" or "Points Transfers" section. You will need the recipient's account number with the partner company — for example, their Marriott Bonvoy membership number if you are transferring to Marriott.

Enter the partner company, the recipient's account number, and the number of points you want to transfer. Southwest will show you the fee before you confirm. Once you approve the transfer, Southwest deducts the points from your account when ready and charges your fee. The partner company typically receives and posts the points to the recipient's account within a few business days.

Keep in mind that once the transfer is complete, you cannot reverse it. If you make a mistake with the account number or the amount, you will need to contact Southwest customer service to see if anything can be done, but they may not be able to recover the points.

Adding an Authorized User as an Alternative

If the person you want to help is a spouse, family member, or someone you trust with your account, you can add them as an authorized user on your Rapid Rewards account instead of transferring points. An authorized user can book flights using your points and earn points on their own flights under your account.

This option avoids the transfer fee entirely and gives the other person direct access to your points for Southwest flights. However, it also means they have some control over your account, so only do this with someone you trust completely. You can remove an authorized user at any time through your account settings.

When Transferring Points Does Not Make Sense

If your goal is straightforward to help someone book a Southwest flight, transferring points is usually not the best route. The fees eat into the value of your points, and the recipient ends up with points in a different program that may not be as useful to them. A better option is often to book the flight yourself using your points and have the person reimburse you, or to add them as an authorized user so they can use your points directly.

Transferring points makes more sense if the person you want to help is already a loyal customer of one of the partner companies and plans to use those points anyway. For example, if your spouse regularly stays at Marriott hotels, transferring your Southwest points to their Marriott account could be worthwhile because they will use the points on something they were already planning to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Southwest points to my spouse?

Not directly through a transfer. You can add your spouse as an authorized user on your Rapid Rewards account so they can use your points on flights without paying a transfer fee. If you want to move points into a separate account they own, you can only do so through a partner company like Marriott or Hertz, and you will pay a fee.

What happens if I transfer points to the wrong account number?

Once the transfer completes, it is very difficult to reverse. Contact Southwest customer service when ready with the details of your transfer. They may be able to help if the error is caught quickly, but there is no may provide they can recover the points. Always double-check the recipient's account number before you confirm the transfer.

Do I lose value when I transfer points to a partner company?

Yes, typically. You pay a fee to transfer, and the points may convert at a rate that is less favorable than using them directly on Southwest flights. For example, 10,000 Southwest points might be worth more as a Southwest flight than as 25,000 Marriott points after the conversion and fees. Compare the value before you transfer.

Can I transfer points to someone who does not have a partner company account?

No. The recipient must already have an active account with the partner company you choose. If they do not, ask them to open one first, then provide you with their account number so you can complete the transfer.