Southwest Airways as soon as prided itself on its “transfarency” philosophy — low fares and no change charges, hidden charges or surprising bag charges. Subsequently, it was no shock that some TPG staffers regarded Southwest as considered one of their high airline decisions.
Nevertheless, following a number of (principally unfavourable) modifications, from new checked-bag charges to decrease points-earning charges, the airline is “quickly” implementing new insurance policies, and for some, is now not the beloved quirky standout it as soon as was.
The silver lining: Even with the latest program modifications, Speedy Rewards factors are a number of the most simply redeemable loyalty rewards. Here is tips on how to earn, redeem and maximize Southwest Speedy Rewards factors.
Associated: What we all know in regards to the surprising modifications from Southwest — and what you need to do now
Southwest Speedy Rewards program overview
Like Southwest Airways itself, the Speedy Rewards frequent flyer program has amassed a loyal following. Regardless of not having a normal award chart or being a part of an airline alliance, its promise of no blackout dates and the power to earn Southwest’s well-known Companion Cross make Speedy Rewards a wonderful alternative for {couples}, households and people with not-so-flexible schedules.
Southwest not too long ago adjusted award costs to make them extra “variable,” versus tying the award worth to the money worth. In our testing, we have discovered that relying on the date and demand of your flight, you may get as little as 1.1 cents or as a lot as 1.7 cents per level in worth.
TPG values Speedy Rewards factors at 1.4 cents per level in our July 2025 valuations, that means 10,000 factors ought to offer you round $140 in worth.
Southwest elite standing
Southwest gives two elite standing tiers: A-Checklist and A-Checklist Most popular.
Southwest A-Checklist elite standing
To qualify for A-Checklist standing, you should fly 20 qualifying one-way Southwest flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying factors in a calendar yr.
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Tier qualifying factors embody these earned from paid flights booked with Southwest or by means of qualifying purchases made with Speedy Rewards companions. Members now earn tier qualifying factors on the money portion of flights booked utilizing Southwest’s Money + Factors choice.
You may as well earn:
Bought factors, tier bonus factors, flight bonus factors, associate factors, and factors earned from Speedy Rewards program enrollment and bank card bonuses don’t rely towards A-Checklist or A-Checklist Most popular standing.
The knowledge for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
With Southwest A-Checklist standing, you will get the next:
- One free checked bag
- Precedence boarding
- 25% bonus on factors earned from paid flights
- Free same-day standby/modifications on Wanna Get Away Plus and above fares (taxes and charges could apply)
- Precedence check-in and safety lane entry
- Devoted A-Checklist member cellphone line
Southwest A-Checklist Most popular elite standing
A-Checklist Most popular standing requires you to fly 40 qualifying one-way Southwest flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying factors in a calendar yr. You may obtain all the advantages of A-Checklist standing, in addition to:
- Two free checked luggage
- 100% bonus on factors earned from paid flights
- Free inflight Wi-Fi
- Two free premium drinks on choose flights over 250 miles
Associated: Southwest A-Checklist standing: What it’s and tips on how to earn it
Find out how to earn Southwest Speedy Rewards factors
There are a couple of methods to earn Southwest Speedy Rewards factors — and a few do not even require flying. Listed below are a number of the methods to earn factors:
Earn factors by flying: You possibly can earn Speedy Rewards factors each time you fly on a paid Southwest Airways flight. The variety of factors you will earn relies on the price of your flight, your elite standing, the kind of ticket and your fee technique.
Earn factors with Southwest bank cards: Southwest Airways has a number of cobranded bank cards issued by Chase.
Presently, you may earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 5 months from account opening.
Southwest additionally gives the next enterprise playing cards:
Moreover, you may switch Chase Final Rewards factors and Bilt Rewards Factors to Southwest Speedy Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
Different methods to earn Speedy Rewards factors are by means of Speedy Rewards Eating and Purchasing, reserving stays by means of Southwest Inns, and with different companions.
Take a look at our total information on the alternative ways you may earn Southwest Speedy Rewards factors.
Find out how to redeem Southwest Speedy Rewards factors
There are a number of methods to redeem your factors, however you will virtually all the time get essentially the most worth should you use them for journey on Southwest flights. Different redemption choices, like present playing cards and merchandise, yield a lot much less worth.
The method for redeeming Speedy Rewards factors for flights is essentially the identical as reserving a paid flight. Head to the Southwest homepage, enter your search standards and choose the “Factors” choice. Click on the yellow search button to see your flight choices.
You may see award pricing to the best of every accessible flight. You possibly can filter flights by the variety of layovers and departure occasions utilizing the buttons on the high of the web page. Then, click on on the ticket worth of your required flight and comply with the on-screen prompts to e-book.
Which fare sort ought to I select?
You possibly can redeem factors for flights in any of the 4 Southwest fare sorts. The least costly choice, Primary, is an effective worth for a lot of vacationers, although restrictive. Though these tickets are nonrefundable, you will get a flight credit score should you cancel, or should you booked with factors, you will get your factors and charges refunded. Notice, you may solely change a Primary fare by upgrading to no less than a Wanna Get Away Plus fare.
Wanna Get Away Plus fares are barely extra versatile, with free confirmed and standby same-day flight modifications (fare distinction could apply). Moreover, these fares allow you to switch flight credit to a different particular person should you cancel your flight.
Anytime fares have the identical advantages as Wanna Get Away Plus, together with precedence safety and EarlyBird Examine-In.
Enterprise Choose fares embody A1-A15 boarding, expedited safety at choose airports, two free checked luggage for bookings from Could 28 onward, and a free alcoholic drink on board. This fare normally prices greater than triple the factors of a Wanna Get Away fare, so we suggest avoiding this redemption normally until you actually need to verify two luggage.
Flight credit now expire based mostly in your fare class. (Notice that flight credit points on or earlier than Could 27, 2025, don’t expire.) Primary fare credit will expire inside six months (and are nontransferable and nonextendable), whereas Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Enterprise Choose fare credit will expire inside 12 months.
Southwest cardholders get their first checked bag free on every of the airline’s playing cards. This profit applies to the first cardholder and as much as eight vacationers flying on the identical reservation. All cardholders can even choose a seat in some capability, even when they’re flying on a Primary fare.
Notice that Southwest will likely be renaming its fare sorts for flights departing Jan. 27, 2026.
Can I alter Southwest award tickets free of charge?
You possibly can cancel Southwest award tickets free of charge. In the event you choose to alter a ticket, you are solely answerable for paying the brand new ticket’s fare distinction if it is dearer. Alternatively, should you change to a less expensive flight, Southwest will refund the distinction in factors. With this in thoughts, we extremely suggest keeping track of award pricing after you e-book a flight — if the fare decreases, you will be refunded the factors distinction.
Canceling a Southwest award ticket is simply as easy. Whenever you cancel your ticket, the factors you used to e-book will likely be refunded to your Speedy Rewards account with no cancellation charges.
Do I’ve to pay taxes and charges on award tickets?
You have to pay sure taxes and charges when reserving Southwest award tickets, beginning at $5.60 one-way. In the event you cancel your award flight, the price will likely be refunded to your fee technique.
For extra particulars, try our information on tips on how to redeem your Southwest factors.
Maximize your factors with the Southwest Companion Cross
You possibly can earn a Companion Cross by flying 100 Southwest one-way flight segments or incomes 135,000 qualifying factors. Qualifying factors embody Speedy Rewards factors earned from flying, bank card welcome bonuses, spending on bank cards, and making purchases through Speedy Rewards Eating and/or Speedy Rewards Purchasing.
Associated: 15 classes from 15 years of getting the Southwest Companion Cross
Sadly, level transfers from Chase Final Rewards or Bilt Rewards don’t rely towards the Companion Cross.
You possibly can solely designate one companion at a time, however you may change your companion thrice per yr. You possibly can change your companion by means of your Southwest account; in accordance with the airline, permit as much as 48 hours for the change to course of. Do not forget that your companion is not going to earn Speedy Rewards factors on their flight, however you’ll nonetheless earn factors should you fly on a paid ticket.
Your Companion Cross will likely be legitimate for the rest of the yr wherein it is earned and everything of the next yr.
You should definitely try our information for extra particulars on tips on how to earn (and use) a Southwest Companion Cross.
Backside line
Southwest Speedy Rewards factors are simple to earn and redeem, and the extremely useful Companion Cross units Southwest other than different airways. Do not miss your quick monitor to a Companion Cross with the best cobranded bank card.
Nevertheless, the airline has not too long ago restructured numerous its program, which has been met with confusion, frustration and dismay by its most loyal prospects. Given the velocity at which these modifications have been introduced, extra could come. Nonetheless, this system stays well-liked with every kind of vacationers, particularly households.
Now you know the way to make an knowledgeable choice about Southwest’s Speedy Rewards program, so you may determine if it is best for you.
