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Everything to Know About Southwest's Rapid Rewards Program — Including How to Earn the Elusive Companion Pass

Here’s a complete guide to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.

Harrison Pierce is a freelance writer and digital nomad passionate about personal finance and travel. He is traveling full-time with the help of points and miles and enjoys connecting with people on the ground. His work has been published in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, USA Today Blueprint, Matador Network, and other publications. 

How to Sign Up for the Rapid Rewards Program

How to earn miles, southwest rapid rewards status tiers.

• Redeeming Miles

How to Get the Most Out of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program

Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

Southwest’s frequent flier program, Rapid Rewards, is a straightforward way for Southwest enthusiasts to gain status and earn miles for future travel. I spoke with Tiffany Valdez from the Southwest public relations team, Dave Grossman, CEO and founder of MilesTalk and Your Best Credit Cards , and Anton Radchenko, CEO at AirAdvisor , to develop this comprehensive guide to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. 

“Everyone loves a good loyalty program, one that makes earning reward flights faster and easier,” says Valdez. “With Rapid Rewards, every seat is a reward seat, there are no blackout dates, and points don't expire.” Ready to earn free flights and even obtain a sought-after Southwest Companion Pass? Here’s everything you need to know about the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.

You can sign up for Rapid Rewards by visiting the enrollment page on the Southwest website. You will need to fill out information, like your name, date of birth, address, email address, and phone number, and select a username and password. Once you accept the terms and conditions, you will receive an email with your Rapid Rewards number, and you’re ready to start earning on flights. Remember to include your number when you book your next flight to earn miles. 

The amount you spend on your flight, the type of fare, and your tier status (more on those below) will all impact the amount of points you earn. Here’s a breakdown of how many points you earn per fare by tier level:

• Wanna Get Away: six points per dollar spent
• Wanna Get Away Plus: eight points per dollar spent
• Anytime: 10 points per dollar spent
• Business Select: 12 points per dollar spent
• Wanna Get Away: 7.5 points per dollar spent
• Wanna Get Away Plus: 10 points per dollar spent
• Anytime: 12.5 points per dollar spent
• Business Select: 15 points per dollar spent

A-List Preferred

• Wanna Get Away: 12 points per dollar spent
• Wanna Get Away Plus: 16 points per dollar spent
• Anytime: 20 points per dollar spent
• Business Select: 24 points per dollar spent

Related: Everything to Know About Southwest Airlines Fare Types 

Credit Cards

“Cardmembers can take their membership to new heights with everyday purchases; hotels and car rentals; local transit and commuting, including rideshare; internet, cable phone services, and select streaming; and inflight purchases,” says Valdez. “Cardmembers also get exclusive access to Southwest Access Events, like concerts or multi-day excursions.” 

Southwest offers three credit cards that are all issued by Chase: 

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : A $69 annual fee gets cardholders two points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 3,000 anniversary points each year. 
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card : The mid-tier card with a $99 annual fee offers three points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 6,000 anniversary points each year. 
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : For a $149 annual fee, cardholders will earn three points per dollar on Southwest purchases, a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, and 7,500 anniversary points each year. 

“The best thing is that the introductory bonus offers count [toward earning Companion Pass] and holding any Southwest card will give you 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points automatically each year,” says Grossman.

Other Ways to Earn

• Transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards: Your Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.
• Travel: You can earn Rapid Rewards points when making hotel purchases at Southwest Hotels, Best Western, Choice Hotels, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, MGM Rewards, and Rocketmiles. Similarly, earn Rapid Rewards points when booking rental cars at Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. All you need to do is enroll. 
• Shopping and Dining: You can earn on shopping and dining purchases through Rapid Rewards Shopping , Rapid Rewards Dining , 1-800 Flowers.com, Laithwaites, Harry & David, and Home Chef. 

The Rapid Rewards program recently underwent some changes, with more set to take effect in 2024. “A-List Preferred members can now receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per flight, added directly to their mobile boarding passes,” explains Valdez. “We’re also lowering the [number] of flights needed to earn A-List and A-List Preferred status, lowering credit card spend to earn tier qualifying points, and in Spring 2024, allowing customers to book using cash and points.” 

Southwest has two main status tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred. To reach each status, you need to either fly a certain number of times or earn a certain number of tier qualifying points in a calendar year. A tier qualifying point is any Rapid Rewards point that will count towards status. Some things will earn a Rapid Rewards point but not a tier qualifying point, like purchasing points, reward travel, transferred/gifted points, etc. 

Requirements: 20 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. 

• Priority boarding
• Priority lane at check-in and express lane at security 
• Dedicated A-List member phone line
• 25 percent earning bonus
• Same-day changes and standby with no difference in fare

Requirements: 40 one-way qualifying flights or 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. 

• Priority lane and express lane access
• Dedicated A-List Preferred member phone line
• 100 percent earning bonus
• Same-day change and standby with no difference in fare
• Free in-flight internet
• Up to two premium drinks on flights 176 miles or longer

Companion Pass

Requirements: 100 one-way qualifying flights or 135,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. 

Benefits: Although the Companion Pass is not technically a status tier, it is something many Southwest enthusiasts strive to reach. If you have a Companion Pass, you designate one person to fly with you, free of airline charges, every time you purchase a flight or redeem points for a flight. That person will just need to pay any applicable taxes and fees. Once you earn a Companion Pass, it remains active for the rest of the calendar year and the entire calendar year after. For example, if you reach 100 one-way flights in October 2024, your Companion Pass will remain active through the end of December 2025. 

Related: How to Score Companion Passes to Get Free Flights — and Which Airlines Offer Them

Redeeming Miles 

To book a flight with your Rapid Rewards points, log in to your account, find your desired itinerary, and book the flight. Southwest offers unlimited rewards seats and no blackout dates, which makes it easier than ever to book an award flight. Unlike other major U.S. airlines, Southwest does not have any airline partners that you can redeem points with. 

Other Ways to Redeem Points

Apart from flights, you can redeem Rapid Rewards points for gift cards, merchandise, hotels, experiences, and Rapid Rewards Access Events. To redeem for these, you can browse the available options at the Rapid Rewards website . The point value will vary with these alternate redemption methods, but they will likely provide less value than booking a flight. For example, at the time of writing, a $114 flight from New York City (LGA) to Miami (MIA) costs 6,933 points, while a $50 Panera Bread gift card costs 9,400 points.

“Southwest uses a revenue-based redemption program, meaning that the value you can get for a Rapid Rewards flight is fixed,” explains Grossman. “You will get [a value] between 1.25 and 1.5 cents per point, on average.” Southwest serves 121 destinations in 11 countries, so there are plenty of opportunities to book award travel with your Rapid Rewards points. “If you really want to maximize, simply redeem when you are getting near the upper end of the range.”

As mentioned earlier, for many, the shining star of the Rapid Rewards program isn’t the valuation of the points but earning the Companion Pass. “With a Companion Pass, you can bring someone along with you and pay only taxes and fees…on unlimited flights for the entire year in which you earn the Companion Pass and the entire following year,” says Grossman. “Think about how many flights that can be!”

The quickest way to reach status and earn more points per dollar is by booking a higher fare class, like Business Select. You should be flexible on your travel days and compare ticket prices at various airports to get the most value out of your points. Award tickets start as low as 4,000 points, so with a little bit of research, you can take a substantial number of award flights off of one credit card sign-up bonus or after purchasing a few flights yourself. Southwest also offers a low-fare calendar to help you find the best deals.

LAS VEGAS VACATIONS

Viva las savings. save up to $125 when you bundle flight + hotel.* plus, save $50 instantly when you book a las vegas vacation for travel in april.**.

• Save $75 on packages $500–$999
• Save $100 on packages $1,000–$1,499
• Save $125 on packages $1,500 or more

Book : ​3/26/2024​–3/29/2024​ by 6:00 p.m. CT  Travel : ​4/1/2024–​4/30/2024  

One-day advance purchase is required. Restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates may apply to hotel offers. 

Las Vegas deals

• 7+ (0)
• Adults Only (0)
• Culture (6)
• Dining (14)
• Gambling (14)
• Golfing (5)
• Mystery Deal (0)
• Nightlife (13)
• Romance (13)
• Shopping (13)
• Spa/Relaxation (13)
• Recommended
• Hotel Name (Ascending)
• Hotel Name (Descending)
• Star Rating (High to Low)
• Star Rating (Low to High)

Here are a few of our most popular Las Vegas resorts:

Inspired by the villages of Europe, Bellagio Resort & Casino overlooks a Mediterranean-blue lake with fountains performing a magnificent ballet.

Wynn Las Vegas was designed to be explored, discovered, and excite every guest's senses.

Take in the beauty of old-world Italy while you enjoy all the comforts and excitement of modern-day Las Vegas.

Featured things to do in Las Vegas, NV

Michael Jackson ONE

Grand Canyon National Park Tour

Blue Man Group at Luxor

Mystère® by Cirque du Soleil

Vegas Nights Helicopter Tour

Lip Smacking Foodie Tours - Afternoon Culinary Adventures

Pink Jeep Hoover Dam Classic Tour-AFTERNOON

Terry Fator: The Voice of Entertainment

Here are a few things you can experience as a part of your las vegas vacation package:.

• Win big at one of the city’s lavish resort casinos by booking a gambling vacation package.
• Be entertained at a world-class show.
• Take a night helicopter tour and see the Vegas lights from the top.
• Get outside and take a Jeep Tour of the Hoover Dam.
• Relax by one of the many pools at luxury resorts or treat yourself to a spa package.
• Go to a concert at one of the clubs and experience true Vegas nightlife.

Not enough for you? Las Vegas offers an endless amount of activities for you to experience no matter what your style or budget is and Southwest Vacations can help you find great Las Vegas vacation travel deals .

Additional information on Las Vegas activities:

While it’s known as Sin City, Las Vegas is more than casinos and adult entertainment. Discover all of the things to do and top Vegas attractions to include in your Las Vegas vacation. Some of the most popular things to do include, seeing nightly shows on the Strip, visiting the aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort, enjoying a game of blackjack at any of the casinos, dancing the night away at the hottest clubs, and so much more.

The excitement of your Las Vegas vacation package is only limited by your imagination. As one of the entertainment capitals of the world, Vegas allows you to experience stunning attractions, exciting tours, captivating nightlife, and so much more. Enjoy dinner at the best restaurants, discover thrills by attending any of the Vegas shows, and, of course, have lady luck on your side while you’re gambling at some of the greatest casinos. Whatever your interests, your Las Vegas vacation will be one you won’t soon forget.

If you’re looking for a family Vegas vacation package, be sure to check out the activities your youngsters can enjoy too! From theme parks to rafting down the Colorado River, there is so much for everyone to experience in Las Vegas. Plus, Southwest Vacations is sure to get you the best deal on hotel and airfare, so you can spend more on having fun.

Las Vegas Vacation FAQ

*$75 per-reservation promotion code savings apply on flight + hotel vacation packages of $500 or more to any domestic destination we offer. Savings are reflected in the package price when using promotion code  SEMIANNUAL125   at the time of booking. $100 per-reservation promotion code savings apply on flight + hotel vacations packages of $1,000 or more to any domestic destination we offer. Savings are reflected in the package price when using promotion code  SEMIANNUAL125  at the time of booking. $125 per-reservation promotion code savings apply on flight + hotel vacation packages of $1,500 or more to any domestic destination we offer. Savings are reflected in the package price when using promotion code  SEMIANNUAL125 at the time of booking. Length of stay for flight and hotel components must match. Promotion code intended for redemption by individual consumer only. One-day advance purchase is required. Restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates may apply to hotel offers. Savings valid if booked 3/5/2024–4/1/2024 by 6:00 p.m. CT for travel 3/6/2024–1/6/2025.

**One-night minimum stay required. Get $50 off in instant savings when you book a flight + hotel package to Las Vegas. Reservation includes instant savings that have been applied to the pricing of your vacation. If you change or modify your reservation after the time of booking, you may no longer be eligible for the savings. One-day advance purchase is required. Restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates may apply to hotel offers. Savings valid if booked 3/26/2024–3/29/2024 by 6:00 p.m. CT for travel 4/1/2024–4/30/2024. 

† First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply. A golf bag can be substituted for one checked bag.

Seats are limited and may not be available on some flights that operate during peak travel times and holiday periods. Flight and hotel rates may vary by day of week. Hotel surcharges may apply to weekends, holidays, and convention periods. Flights available on published, scheduled service only. Rates may be subject to change until purchased. Discounts are valid per reservation before taxes are applied. Offer not valid on existing reservations and may not be combined with any other offer. Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. ALG Vacations Corp. is the tour operator for Southwest Vacations.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Airline Loyalty Rewards

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Loyalty Program Review

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Southwest.com

Rapid Rewards

Chicago Midway, Baltimore-Washington, Las Vegas, Dallas Love Field, Denver, Phoenix, Houston Hobby, Atlanta

N/A – points value based on cost of ticket

1.3 cents per point

• Best Ways to Earn Southwest Points
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• How to Use the Southwest Shopping Portal
• How To Earn Points Through Car Rentals with Southwest
• Best Ways to Use the Southwest Companion Pass
• Unique Ways To Use Southwest Points (That Don’t Involve Flying!)
• Southwest Airlines Review – Amenities, Baggage Fees, Seats, Customer Service, & More
• Southwest Airlines Baggage Fees

Southwest Airlines Overview

While Southwest started as a budget airline, today it’s one of the largest U.S. airlines. Southwest has continued to expand its offerings with flights to Hawaii and several popular international destinations , including Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Despite difficulties at the end of 2022 that resulted in an operational meltdown , Southwest remains a favorite airline for many travelers due to its customer-friendly policies, such as free checked bags and no change fees.

Rapid Rewards is the airline’s loyalty program that allows passengers to earn and use points for flights.

How To Join Southwest Rapid Rewards

Visit the Southwest website and click Create account to join for free.

How To Sign In to Your Rapid Rewards Account

You can sign in to your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest.com homepage. You’ll need your account number or username and password.

Viewing Your Account Activity

After logging in, click on My Account to see a summary of your trips, points, promotions, and progress toward elite status.

Points Expiration

Rapid Rewards points don’t expire if your account is open and in good standing.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Elite Status and Companion Pass

There are 2 levels of Southwest Airlines elite status — A-List and A-List Preferred. The Southwest Companion Pass isn’t technically an elite status, as having the pass doesn’t come with any elite benefits, but it offers huge perks when flying on Southwest Airlines.

Southwest A-List Status

Southwest A-List status is earned after flying 20 qualifying one-way flights or earning 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year.

Tier qualifying points are only earned in 2 ways — through paid Southwest flights or credit card spending. You can earn 1,500 TQP per $5,000 spent on select Southwest credit cards

A-List status comes with the following benefits:

• 25% point bonus
• Dedicated A-List member phone line
• Free same-day standby
• Priority boarding
• Priority check-in and security
• Same-day confirmed changes with no difference in base fare

Southwest A-List Preferred Status

Southwest A-List Preferred status is earned after flying 40 qualifying one-way flights or earning 70,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year. It comes with all of the benefits of A-List status plus these additional perks:

• 100% point bonus
• Dedicated A-List Preferred member phone line
• Free inflight Wi-Fi

Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is considered one of the best deals in travel. It essentially lets you fly 2-for-1 for up to 2 years.

To earn the Companion Pass, you’ll need to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.

Companion Pass qualifying points include credit card welcome bonuses plus points earned from revenue flights, Southwest credit card spending, partner hotel and car rentals, Rapid Rewards dining, and Rapid Rewards shopping.

After earning the Companion Pass, you can add a companion to any Southwest ticket for the rest of the calendar year in which you earn the pass plus the entire following calendar year. All you need to do is pay the taxes and fees for the companion, which are $5.60 for a domestic one-way flight (taxes and fees are higher on international flights).

Value of Rapid Rewards Elite Status

One of the most significant benefits of A-List and A-List Preferred status is priority boarding. Southwest’s boarding process differs from other airlines because there are no assigned seats. Instead, you’re assigned a boarding position based on a few factors, including when you check in and your status level.

Having Southwest elite status removes the need to check in exactly 24 hours ahead of time and more or less guarantees you’ll be able to get seats with your traveling companions — and won’t get stuck in a middle seat.

If you generally pay for EarlyBird Check-In or value not having to worry about your boarding position, Southwest’s elite status can be very valuable.

How To Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards Points

There are many ways to earn Rapid Rewards points .

Flying on Southwest Airlines

You earn Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights based on your fare type and price, excluding taxes and fees:

• Business Select : 12 points per dollar
• Anytime : 10 points per dollar
• Wanna Get Away Plus:  8 points per dollar
• Wanna Get Away:  6 points per dollar

Travelers with A-List status earn additional bonus points.

• A-List:  25% bonus Rapid Rewards points
• A-List Preferred:  100% bonus Rapid Rewards points

Earn Points With Travel Partners

You can earn Rapid Rewards points by booking travel through select travel partners.

• Car rental partners : Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty
• Hotel partners : SouthwestHotels.com, Best Western, Radisson Rewards Americas, Choice Hotels, Hyatt, Marriott, MGM Rewards, Rocketmiles

Earn Points With Shopping, Dining, and Specialty Partners

Southwest has a variety of ways to earn Rapid Rewards points without flying , including shopping, dining, home, and specialty partners that can help you earn more Rapid Rewards points.

• 1-800 Flowers
• Emergency Assistance Plus
• Laithwaite’s Wines
• Harry & David
• Rapid Rewards Dining
• Rapid Rewards Shopping
• Rewards for Opinions

Earn Points With Credit Cards

Southwest offers 5 co-branded credit cards:

• Southwest Plus card
• Southwest Premier card
• Southwest Priority card
• Southwest Performance Business card
• Southwest Premier Business card

You can also earn Rapid Rewards points through Ultimate Rewards credit cards since Chase and Southwest are 1:1 transfer partners.

You need at least 1 premium travel rewards card (marked **) to transfer to Southwest. As long as you have 1 eligible transfer card, you can consolidate all your Ultimate Rewards points to that card to then transfer them to Southwest (or any of Chase’s other partners ).

• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Chase Freedom Unlimited ®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred card **
• Chase Sapphire Reserve card **
• Ink Business Cash ® Credit Card
• Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card **
• Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card

Branded and Partnered Credit Cards

You can use several credit cards to earn Rapid Rewards points directly or through points transfers.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards

You can earn Rapid Rewards directly with any of the 5 Southwest co-branded Chase cards . First, let’s take a look at the 3 consumer cards available.

Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card

This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal Southwest card offering from Chase. When you peel back the curtain, it is easy to see why.

Not only does the card offer multiple bonus categories to help you earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points, but it is also loaded with benefits that are sure to offer quite a bit of value to Southwest flyers.

Here is a full overview of the card to help you decide if it is a good fit for your wallet.

• 3x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• 7,500 points each year on your cardmember anniversary
• $75 annual Southwest travel credit
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• 1,500 tier qualifying points towards elite status for every $5,000 spent
• Travel and purchase protection
• $149 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable points
• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest ® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• $75 Southwest ® travel credit each year.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

• Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards
• The Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card

Earn Southwest points on every purchase, plus anniversary points, Tier Qualifying Points, and points toward the Companion Pass!

Another week, another flight. Flying weekly can get tiring, but you know that every flight gets you closer to taking some great vacations with your significant other or your favorite travel buddy.

To save money on the flights, you like to use Southwest Airlines.

So why not get the Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card to help you earn extra Rapid Rewards points?

• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
• 2x points per $1 on Internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
• 6,000 anniversary points each year on your card renewal
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In certificates per year
• Earn Tier Qualifying Points for your spend
• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 6,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest ®  purchases.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In ®  each year.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Plus Credit Card

This card makes it easy to earn unlimited points and qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

If you spend a lot of time in the air, it’s important to get a great deal on your plane tickets.

Southwest Airlines can help you get those deals.

One way to save is by using the Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Plus Credit Card . This card helps you earn points for all your spending, and earning more reward points is always a good thing for a busy traveler!

• 2x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
• 3,000 anniversary points each year on your card renewal
• $69 annual fee
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest ® purchases.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In ® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Additionally, there are 2 Southwest business cards:

Southwest ® Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card is a phenomenal option for business owners who are Southwest frequent flyers. It helps you earn more points on all of your business expenses, offers upgraded boarding certificates and Wi-Fi credits, and helps you reach higher levels of Southwest elite status. 

• 4x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
• 3x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases
• 2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
• 2x points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services
• 9,000 bonus points each year after your cardmember anniversary
• Up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year
• 4 Upgraded Boarding certificates per year
• Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points towards Southwest status for every $5,000 spent on the card
• Up to a $500 fee credit for points transfers when you use your card to transfer points to another Southwest Rapid Rewards member
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Baggage delay insurance
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• $199 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
• Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• Earn 4X pts on Southwest ® purchases.
• Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards ® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 2X points on rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
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Southwest ® Rapid Rewards ® Premier Business Credit Card

Business owners who fly Southwest often can earn extra points for all of their spending, and add employee cards at no additional cost.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Business Credit Card is built for business owners that regularly fly with Southwest and are looking for a card that helps them earn more points while providing benefits such as 25% back on inflight purchases and EarlyBird Check-In certificates.

• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshare, passenger trains, buses, taxis, tolls, and parking lots and garages
• 6,000 anniversary points
• $500 fee credit for points transfers per year
• 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $10,000 spent
• Employee cards at no added cost
• Lost luggage insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest Airlines ® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards ® hotel and car rental partners.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• How To Get Southwest Elite Status

Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards

Chase Ultimate Rewards  points transfer to Southwest Airlines at a 1:1 ratio. That means you can take advantage of the numerous bonus categories on Chase Ultimate Rewards cards to earn lots of points, which can be instantly transferred to Southwest.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Chase Ultimate Rewards

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
• Military Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve

Business Owner?  Check out our article on the best  Chase business cards  that  earn Ultimate Rewards points .

How To Redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards Points

Southwest awards are only available on Southwest flights and are revenue-based, so the price in points will be based on the cash cost. Finding awards is straightforward. Search on Southwest.com, and if a flight is available to book in cash, it will also be available to book using points.

You can easily toggle back and forth between the points and cash costs of any flight. The dollar amount shown under the points price is the taxes and fees.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is southwest rapid rewards is it worth it what does it cost.

The Southwest Airlines frequent flyer program is called  Southwest Rapid Rewards . It is similar to other airline loyalty programs in that you sign up, earn points and elite status, and redeem for rewards.

It is a free program, which means the benefits are typically worth the effort of  signing up .

What are the benefits of Southwest Rapid Rewards?

Once you’ve signed up for Rapid Rewards, you gain the ability to earn and use points on flights as well as the opportunity to earn elite status.

Rapid Rewards points are easy to earn, and there are no blackout dates when it comes time to redeem them. If a flight is available in cash, it can be booked with points.

Southwest’s elite status tiers are A-List and A-List Preferred, and benefits include priority boarding and bonus points.

In addition to using points to book rewards tickets, you can also use your points on  travel partners . These include hotels and rental cars as well as shopping and more.

Where is my Southwest Rapid Rewards number?

If you have it available, you can find your Rapid Rewards number by signing into your account with your email and password; your number will be shown on the My Account screen.

You can always call Southwest customer service to find your number.

What is the Southwest Rapid Rewards login? How do I sign up?

You can log in to the  Southwest Rapid Rewards program and sign up for the program .

When do Southwest Rapid Rewards expire?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don’t expire as long as your account is active and in good standing.

What are Southwest Rapid Rewards points worth?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth about 1.3 cents each.

Are Southwest Rapid Rewards points refundable?

Yes, if you cancel a Southwest flight that is booked with points, your points will be redeposited into your account.

Are Southwest Rapid Rewards points transferable?

Yes, Rapid Rewards points are transferable, but it’s expensive. You’ll pay $5 per 500 points transferred with a minimum of 2,000 points per transaction. A better option would be to use them to book a flight for someone else.

What are the Southwest Rapid Rewards partners?

While a  complete list can be found here , some of them include:

Best Western, Choice Hotels, Hyatt, Marriott, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, 1-800-Flowers, and Reliant Energy.

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is the highest award in the Rapid Rewards program.

Once you’ve reached 100 one-way flights or earned 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, you can take a companion on any flight with you for just the cost of the taxes and fees, which in the U.S. are $5.60 each way.

This status is good immediately once you meet the requirements through the remainder of the following calendar year. For example, a Companion Pass earned in October 2023 will be valid through December 2024.

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About Alex Miller

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

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The Complete Guide to Southwest Rapid Rewards

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Table of Contents

Southwest Rapid Rewards sign-up

How much southwest rapid rewards points are worth, southwest rapid rewards points value over time, southwest airlines vs. competitors, what it's like flying on southwest, how to earn rapid rewards points, do southwest points expire, how to redeem rapid rewards points, how many southwest points are needed for a free flight, southwest deals and when to pay cash, southwest a-list status, the companion pass, credit cards that earn rapid rewards points.

For people who like low fares and hate fees, Southwest Airlines is one of the best airlines out there — and the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is one of the best airline loyalty programs to take advantage of all of its benefits. It's free to join — and you should, as it's the only way for you to earn points every time you fly Southwest (which you can turn around and use for future flights).

And Southwest points don't expire, so even if you only fly Southwest every few years, you'll still eventually rack up enough points for the total to be worth something.

Southwest Airlines is considered the biggest low-cost carrier in the U.S. in terms of passengers served. It flies to about 100 destinations in the U.S. (including Hawaii ), Mexico , Central America and the Caribbean . 

It's relatively easy to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points and redeem those Southwest rewards for future travel.

Southwest’s customer-friendly policies is one main feature that sets it apart from other major airlines like Delta, American Airlines and United. Southwest allows two free checked bags up to 50 pounds each on every flight, no change fees, and no expiration dates on Southwest Travel Funds . Southwest is our favorite loyalty program for families.

Southwest also offers the Companion Pass , which allows you to bring a friend with you for free (aside from taxes and fees) for at least an entire year.

Here's what you need to know about Southwest Rapids Rewards.

Photo courtesy of Southwest.

To earn points with Southwest, you’ll need to sign up for a Rapid Rewards frequent flyer account. It’s free to join, and you can register here .

Based on our most recent analysis of actual award flight redemptions, NerdWallet values Southwest Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents apiece. Read more about how we arrived at these figures .

This is a baseline value for Southwest points, based on real-world data collected from hundreds of economy routes, not a maximized value. Aim for award redemptions that offer 1.5 cents or more in value from your Southwest points.

» Learn more: See how Southwest's loyalty program compares with its competitors

Unlike some other airlines, the value of Southwest points rarely changes from flight to flight, as the airline offers no award chart. If the cost of a plane ticket goes up, so does the number of points needed to book the flight. Given that, Southwest doesn’t really have “sweet spots” for award bookings. When you book flights with points, you'll generally get the same value for your points every time.

To determine the value of your miles for specific flights, divide the cash value of the ticket (less any applicable taxes/fees if you redeem miles) by the number of points required for the flight. So if the ticket would cost either $100, or 15,000 points + $10 in taxes/fees, the math would be as follows:

($100 – $10) / 15,000 = 0.006, or 0.6 cent per point.

Southwest Rapid Rewards value recently declined in NerdWallet's latest valuation.

Despite the number of people who love Southwest, the airline came in fifth out of nine airlines in the best overall airline category of NerdWallet’s most recent analysis of the best airlines .

Southwest Rapid Rewards fared even worse in an additional analysis of the best airline loyalty programs , ranking second to last.

Here's a closer look at how Southwest competed across subcategories:

Fifth in rewards rate .

Seventh in operations .

Last in elite status benefits .

First in terms of total fees .

Ranked first when considering basic economy tickets .

Tied for third with United in terms of in-flight experience .

Fourth in most pet-friendly airlines .

Unlike most other airlines, there are no first class seats on Southwest. Newer planes have USB ports in seat backs, and complimentary soda, coffee and tea are served on most flights, alongside complimentary snacks.

But, there are some airfare types that are better than others, offering first class benefits of sorts. The four types of fares you can choose between on Southwest are:

Wanna Get Away : The cheapest fares are aptly named “Wanna Get Away.” These fares have no additional benefits from those listed above and earn 6 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent in base airfare.

Wanna Get Away Plus: This elevated fare level gets you 8x on airfare spending and a few additional perks like transferable flight credits, same-day confirmed changes and access to the same-day standby list.

Anytime: Anytime fares are a little more flexible than Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares because canceled trips can be refunded to the original form of payment or used toward another flight for up to 12 months. Flyers also earn 10 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent on base airfare.

Business Select: For travelers who want the Southwest luxury experience, Business Select fares are the most expensive but offer the most benefits. In addition to the above perks, Business Select passengers can use the priority security lane at the airport (where available) after checking in. At the gate, Business Select flyers are guaranteed to be among the first 15 people to board. And in the air, these passengers also get one free complimentary premium drink of their choice. Business Select customers also earn the most Rapid Rewards, earning 12 points per $1 spent on base airfare.

Even in the cheapest fare class, though, Southwest can be pretty generous. Southwest’s lack of hidden fees, including two free checked bags , are refreshing — so much so that it came in first in NerdWallet’s 2023 Best-Of Awards for lowest fees .

Southwest also makes it easy to change and cancel flights . If you want to cancel a Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare, you'll receive Southwest travel funds if you decide to cancel. Though, if Southwest cancels your flight , you are automatically entitled to a refund (if you opt not to rebook on another). If your Southwest flight is delayed , you might be able to be rebooked or get compensation from Southwest for extra expenses like lodging, but policies vary by circumstance. If your flight is delayed by 30 minutes or more, you’ll be notified by email, phone or text within half an hour of Southwest being aware of the delay.

Maybe you want some of the Business Select perks, but not all of them. You can certainly just purchase a more expensive seat, or you can upgrade your Southwest flight a la carte. For example, you can purchase EarlyBird Check-In to get an earlier boarding position, which is likely cheaper than the difference between a Business Select versus Wanna Get Away fare.

Southwest's boarding process

Speaking of boarding, the Southwest boarding process is unlike most other airlines. Rather than assigned seats, you're assigned a boarding position, which is the order you can board the plane. From there, you can take whichever available seat you want.

Want that front row window seat? Check out NerdWallet's guide to hacking Southwest boarding groups .

Can pets fly on Southwest?

Southwest Airlines allows travelers to fly with pets that are small enough to be stowed under the seat in front of you during the flight. Pets must always remain in its carrier, and only one pet carrier is allowed per ticketed passenger. Larger pets won't be able to fly Southwest, as they aren't allowed to fly in cargo.

Learn more about Southwest's pet policy here , and check out NerdWallet's guide to pet-friendly airlines to find the best fit.

You can earn Rapid Rewards points several ways: by flying on Southwest, by shopping and dining with partners, or by spending on a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Southwest is also a transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program.

Earning Rapid Rewards points when you fly

The number of points you earn for a flight depends on the price of the ticket, the type of fare you’re buying, and your status level within the Rapid Rewards program. All fares include two free checked bags up to 50 pounds each, no change fees and reusable funds for up to 12 months if you cancel your flight or fully refundable flights depending on the type of fare booked.

You earn a different number of Rapid Rewards points depending on the fare class you book:

Wanna Get Away: Earns 6 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent in base airfare.

Wanna Get Away Plus: Earns 8 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent in base airfare.

Anytime: Earns 10 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent in base airfare.

Business Select: Earns 12 Rapid Rewards points for every $1 spent in base airfare.

» Learn more: SWABIZ: Southwest’s corporate booking tool explained

Earning Rapid Rewards points with a credit card

Southwest offers five co-branded credit cards through Chase: three consumer credit cards and two business cards.

Refer to the section below later in this article for an in-depth review.

Earning Rapid Rewards points through partners

Southwest has a robust list of non-airline partnerships , allowing you to earn points for your spending on rental cars, hotels or a box of fancy pears from Harry & David.

Hotels: You can earn Rapid Rewards points at some hotel chains. At most hotels, you earn 1 point per $1 spent, but it’s possible to earn more depending on where you stay. See partner hotels here .

Car rentals: The earn rate at car rental companies varies. For example, Alamo is currently offering 600 Rapid Rewards points for a rental. See partner car rental agencies here .

Shopping and dining: Earn points at more than 800 retailers when you shop through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. Meanwhile, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program allows you to earn up to 3 points per $1 spent at participating restaurants, plus bonus points for submitting restaurant reviews. Both are excellent ways to earn (and double-dip) points earning, especially if that's spending you're doing anyway.

Gas at Marathon gas stations: Rapid Rewards members can earn 1 point for every gallon of Marathon fuel they purchase, plus additional points on select in-store purchases and other specified achievements through the MakeItCount program. To earn, members must sign up ahead of time and select Rapid Rewards as their earning partner.

Switching electricity providers: Members in some states can also earn a sign-up bonus and ongoing bonuses when they switch their power service to NRG Home or Reliant. Check the Rapid Rewards website to see if your home is eligible.

Taking surveys: Participate in market research and earn points when you share your opinion via the e-Rewards and Rewards For Opinions platforms.

Unfortunately, Southwest doesn’t have any airline partners and isn’t a member of an airline alliance, so you can’t earn Rapid Rewards points by flying on other airlines.

Transferring other points to Rapid Rewards

Two credit card rewards programs offer the opportunity to transfer points to Rapid Rewards: Diners Club and Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Diners Club cardholders can convert Diners Club Rewards points to Rapid Rewards points at a rate of 1,500 Diners Club points to 1,200 Rapid Rewards points.

If you earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® from a Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you can also convert those points to Rapid Rewards at a one-to-one rate. You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 points.

You can also transfer points from rental car and hotel programs to Rapid Rewards, though — unless you don't anticipate using those points in their original form — the exchange rate is pretty bad, so we don't typically recommend this.

» Learn more: 16 ways to earn Southwest points

Buying Rapid Rewards points

Generally, you can buy Rapid Rewards points at a rate of 2.75 to 3 cents each, but it’s not advisable. Since we value Rapid Rewards points at an average of 1.5 cents each, buying points at these prices is a almost always a bad deal.

One exception to the rule is if you have a specific redemption in mind and need to top off your account.

» Learn more: When it makes sense to buy airline miles

No, Southwest Rapid Rewards points don’t expire, which is especially helpful for those that don’t fly Southwest often. However, if you close your Southwest account, you will lose your points. Make sure your account is still open to keep your points valid.

Not only do Southwest points not expire, but Travel Funds — which you accrue should you cancel a flight in the Wanna Get Away or Wanna Get Away Plus fare classes — also do not expire.

Anyone who is a Rapid Rewards member can redeem points on Southwest’s website for flights.

To book flights on Southwest, go to the booking tool on Southwest's website and login to your Rapid Rewards account. Then, enter your travel information and choose the option to see the fare in points rather than dollars. If any fare classes are sold out for a given flight, that will be indicated in the results.

While all fare options are available, prices in points are directly tied to their cash price.

Good redemption options

Here are some of the highest value ways to redeem Southwest points.

Southwest Wanna Get Away flights: The best way to use Rapid Rewards points is toward Wanna Get Away fares aboard Southwest, which is the lowest of the Southwest fare classes.

International flights: Southwest is primarily known for its flights within the contiguous U.S. and Hawaii. But don't overlook its international flights to destinations in Central America and the Caribbean .

Bad redemption options

Avoid spending your points in the airline’s More Rewards portal , which you have access to if you have a Rapid Rewards credit card. Here, you can purchase non-Southwest operated international flights, hotels, rental cars, merchandise and gift cards.

However, these tend to be a terrible deal. When we searched for gift card rewards, values were as low as 0.6 cent per point — less than half of the value of using points for the average flight. This makes getting gift cards and other items from a merchandise store a bad use of points.

» Learn more: Don't just redeem points — redeem them wisely. Here's how

How many Rapid Rewards points you need for a flight depends on what type of Southwest ticket you’re booking. Wanna Get Away tickets will be the most inexpensive. Since the price of tickets is more or less tied to the cash cost, the cheaper the flight in cash, the cheaper the flight will be in points.

Take a look at this example showing the cash cost and points cost.

You can purchase a Wanna Get Away fare for $49 or 2,655 points + $5.60 in taxes. If you use points, you’re extracting a value of 1.6 cents per point, which is slightly above NerdWallet’s valuation of 1.5 cents each.

Since it's so easy to earn Rapid Rewards points, you can easily end up with a free flight.

Southwest often runs fare sales and allows you to search flight deals by specific destination. In addition, the airline also sends out emails advertising flight deals for as low as $59 each way. And sometimes, those prices can be even lower as seen in the example above.

If you have Southwest points and you see that there’s a fare sale going on, it’s a good opportunity to redeem your points.

Since the value of Southwest points remains constant and there is no award chart, using points for a flight will never result in an outstanding redemption. That’s why it’s smart to keep your eyes out for these flash sales (typically found in your inbox).

If you don’t have enough points to book the award ticket, paying cash — especially if you’re getting a flight deal — could still be a good value since you’ll also earn points on that flight.

» Learn more: When flying Southwest can save you money and time

You can sign up for the Rapid Rewards loyalty program for free, which allows you to earn points toward Southwest elite status — otherwise known as A-List — and award flights. At the A-List and A-List Preferred tiers, you earn more points and enjoy some additional perks.

Southwest A-List benefits

Having A-List status on Southwest can sweeten the deal for your next flight. Benefits include:

How to earn A-List on Southwest

To attain A-List or A-List Preferred status, you must fly a certain number of “qualifying one-way flights” or earn a certain number of “tier qualifying points” in a calendar year. You gain elite status as soon as you earn it, and it's good through the next calendar year.

To earn A-List status, you must fly 25 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points. A List Preferred's requirements are nearly doubled: Fly 40 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points.

A qualifying one-way flight is defined as a trip from origin to destination, including any connections. So if you’re flying from Los Angeles to Chicago Midway Airport, it counts as a single one-way flight regardless if it's nonstop or you have to change planes.

Tier qualifying points are different from Rapid Rewards points. Although you can obtain Rapid Rewards points in all sorts of ways (as described above), there are only two ways to earn tier qualifying points:

Purchasing tickets for Southwest flights.

Spending on qualifying Southwest credit cards will earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for each $5,000 spent.

You may also be able to earn A-List through a Southwest status match .

How much is A-List status worth?

NerdWallet did a comprehensive analysis of airline elite status programs to determine the dollar value of each tier, including Southwest’s A-List and A-List Preferred status.

NerdWallet estimates that the perks of Southwest A-List status are worth $123, and A-List Preferred status perks are worth $984.

To arrive at these dollar figures, we made many assumptions about how each status was used. Check the methodology in the link above for a more detailed breakdown.

» Learn more: How to Refer-a-Friend and get more Southwest points

The Southwest Companion Pass is a valuable and sought-after perk of the Rapid Rewards program. The pass allows a guest to fly with you nearly for free (you'll both have to pay taxes and security fees starting from $5.60 one way) from the time you earn it through the next calendar year.

To earn the pass (beyond any passes that come with a Southwest card sign-up bonus), you must either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Qualifying points for Companion Pass include points earned from buying Southwest tickets, points earned with Southwest credit cards and points earned from select Rapid Rewards partners.

If you apply for a Southwest credit card when there is a high sign-up offer , you can earn the Companion Pass even faster.

Southwest offers three personal and two business cards from Chase.

Southwest personal credit cards

The personal cards offer different perks and level of benefits, with varying annual fees.

on Chase's website

• 3 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, on local transit and commuting (including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• Reimbursement for 4 upgraded boardings, when available, each anniversary year.

• $75 Southwest travel credit each year.

• 7,500-point anniversary bonus each year.

• 25% back on in-flight purchases.

• 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 you spend.

• Reimbursement for 2 EarlyBird check-ins each anniversary year.

• 6,000-point anniversary bonus each year.

• 3,000-point anniversary bonus each year.

Southwest business credit cards

Southwest's business cards are offered at two different price points, with varying levels of benefits.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).

• 4 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 3 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), internet, cable and phone services and on social media and search engine advertising.

• 9,000-point anniversary bonus each year.

• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee.

• $8 per day in in-flight Wi-Fi credit (up to 365 times a year).

Find out if a Southwest credit card is worth it (Spoiler: Getting one can be a wise choice for people who love flying Southwest). If you’re struggling to choose, we’ve got advice to help you figure out which Southwest credit card is right for you — but if you’re still having a hard time making up your mind, know that it is possible to have more than one .

Before you jump in, here are the things to know before getting a Southwest card .

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

There are plenty of ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points including from flights, hotels, car rentals, shopping and dining. You can also earn Rapid Rewards points by using a Southwest credit card.

Yes, if you have a Southwest credit card, you could redeem your points for hotels through the More Rewards portal. However, this isn't a good use of your points. We ran the data on many hotel redemptions through More Rewards and found that you’d be paying 80% above what you would pay if you booked directly from the hotel. In addition, you’d be getting below our baseline estimated value from your points.

For the most part, purchasing points is a bad idea. You can buy Southwest points for 2.75 to 3 cents each, but NerdWallet values Southwest points at 1.5 cents each. So if you’re purchasing points, you’re overpaying. One of the only times it makes sense to buy points is if you need to top up a specific redemption and there is no other way to quickly earn those points.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program enables members to earn Rapid Rewards points by flying with Southwest Airlines, spending money on partner brands — which include World of Hyatt, Alamo, Avis and Hertz — or spending money on a Southwest credit card . Then, you can redeem those rewards for hotel stays, rental cars, exclusive experiences, international flights and gift cards. It’s free to enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.

Generally, the best way to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points is for Southwest flights. To book airfare on points, search for your flight as usual on Southwest’s site, but select the button to search in points rather than dollars. Then, select the flight you want, go through the usual checkout process and points will be deducted from your online account.

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don't expire; however, if you close your account, you’ll also lose the points tied to that account.

Generally speaking, you need about 3,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book a flight that otherwise has a $49 cash fare. NerdWallet values one point at 1.5 cents , so that figure can help you estimate how many points you might need for a free flight. Divide the cost of your ticket in cash by that figure to get a ballpark estimate of how many points you would need for a free flight.

Based on NerdWallet’s valuation of one point at 1.5 cents , 15,000 Southwest points is worth about $225. However, remember that points are made-up currencies and their value can vary based on how you redeem them (flights tend to be a good value, while physical goods like magazines tend to be a terrible value ).

It’s free to enroll in Southwest Rapid Rewards (you’ll just need to hand over your email address). As long as you intend to fly on Southwest a few times in your life, it’s usually worth signing up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards. You’ll collect points for your flights that you can then use to book free flights in the future. Throw in Southwest’s best-in-class 1.4 cents point valuation (plus the fact that points don’t expire) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is one of the best airline rewards programs out there.

Yes, if you have a Southwest credit card, you could redeem your points for hotels through the More Rewards portal. However, this isn't a good use of your points. We ran the data on many hotel redemptions through More Rewards and found that you’d be

paying 80% above

what you would pay if you booked directly from the hotel. In addition, you’d be getting below our baseline estimated value from your points.

For the most part, purchasing points is a bad idea. You can buy Southwest points for 2.75 to 3 cents each, but NerdWallet values Southwest points at

each. So if you’re purchasing points, you’re overpaying. One of the only times it makes sense to buy points is if you need to top up a specific redemption and there is no other way to quickly earn those points.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program enables members to earn Rapid Rewards points by flying with Southwest Airlines, spending money on partner brands — which include World of Hyatt, Alamo, Avis and Hertz — or spending money on a

Southwest credit card

. Then, you can redeem those rewards for hotel stays, rental cars, exclusive experiences, international flights and gift cards. It’s free to enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.

Generally speaking, you need about 3,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book a flight that otherwise has a $49 cash fare.

NerdWallet values

one point at

, so that figure can help you estimate how many points you might need for a free flight. Divide the cost of your ticket in cash by that figure to get a ballpark estimate of how many points you would need for a free flight.

NerdWallet’s valuation

of one point at

, 15,000 Southwest points is worth about $225. However, remember that points are made-up currencies and their value can vary based on how you redeem them (flights tend to be a good value, while physical goods like magazines

tend to be a terrible value

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Southwest Airlines - Priority Pass Lounge Locations

Since Southwest Airlines does not have its own lounges, I wanted to know which airports Southwest Airlines flies to that also have Priority Pass Lounges. Priority Pass partners with restaurants, game locations, spas, and more, but I will only focus on actual lounges at airports for this article. With some research, I found 52 Priority Pass lounges across 32 Southwest-operated airports, both in and outside the United States.

Southwest Airports with Priority Pass Lounges

• Atlanta, GA - ATL ( The Club - Concourse F )
• Baltimore, MD - BWI ( The Club - Concourse D, Gate D10 )
• Boston, MA - BOS ( Air France Lounge - Terminal E )
• Boston, MA - BOS ( Chase Sapphire Lounge - Terminal B, Gate B40 )
• Boston, MA - BOS ( The Lounge - Terminal C, Gate C19 )
• Buffalo, NY - BUF ( The Club - Gate 6 )
• Charleston, SC - CHS ( The Club - Concourse B )
• Cleveland, OH - CLE ( The Club - Concourse B )
• Charlotte, NC - CLT ( The Club - Concourse A, Gate A22 )
• Chicago O'Hare, IL - ORD ( Swissport Lounge - Terminal 5, Gate M8 )
• Cincinnati, OH - CVG ( The Club - Concourse A, Gate A8 )
• Temporarily Closed: Colorado Springs, CO - COS ( Premier Lounge, Gate 6 )
• Detroit, MI - DTW ( Lufthansa Lounge - North Terminal, Gate D8 )
• Honolulu, HI - HNL ( The Plumeria Lounge - Terminal 1 )
• Honolulu, HI - HNL ( IASS Hawaii Lounge - Terminal 2, Gate 14 )
• Houston, TX - IAH ( Air France Lounge - Terminal D, Gate D18 )
• Houston, TX - IAH ( KLM Crown Lounge - Terminal D, Gate D8 )
• Jacksonville, FL - JAX ( The Club - Concourse A )
• Las Vegas, NV - LAS ( The Club Terminal 1 - Gate D33 )
• Las Vegas, NV - LAS ( The Club Terminal 3 - Gate E2 )
• Los Cabos, Mexico - SJD* ( VIP Lounge - Terminal 1 )
• Los Cabos, Mexico - SJD* ( VIP Lounge - Terminal 2 )
• Miami, FL - MIA ( Turkish Airlines Lounge - Concourse E )
• Miami, FL - MIA ( Turkish Airlines Lounge - Concourse H )
• Montego Bay, Jamaica - MBJ* ( Club Mobay - Departures, Gate 12 )
• Montego Bay, Jamaica - MBJ* ( Club Mobay - Arrivals )
• Nashville, TN - BNA ^ ( Minute Suites - Concourse D )
• New Orleans, LA - MSY ( The Club - Concourse A )
• New York, NY - LGA ( Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club - Terminal B )
• Ontario, CA - ONT ( Aspire Lounge - Terminal 2, Gate 209 )
• Ontario, CA - ONT ( Aspire Lounge - Terminal 4, Gate 410 )
• Orlando, FL - MCO ( Plaza Premium Lounge - Terminal C, Gate 241 )
• Orlando, FL - MCO ( The Club - Terminal A )
• Orlando, FL - MCO ( The Club - Terminal B, Gate 91 )
• Pittsburgh, PA - PIT ( The Club - Concourse C, Gate C51 )
• San Diego - SAN ( Aspire Lounge - Terminal 2, Gate 33 )
• San Francisco, CA - SFO ( Air France/KLM Lounge - Concourse A )
• San Francisco, CA - SFO ( China Airlines Lounge - Terminal A )
• San Jose, CA - SJC ( The Club - Terminal A, Gate A8 )
• San Jose, CA - SJC ( The Club - Terminal A, Gate A15 )
• San José, Costa Rica - SJO* ( VIP Santamaria - Gate 5 )
• San José, Costa Rica - SJO* ( VIP Lounge Costa Rica - Gate 18 )
• San Juan, PR - SJU* ( The Lounge San Juan - Terminal A )
• San Juan, PR - SJU* ( The Lounge San Juan - Terminal C )
• Seattle, WA - SEA ( The Club - Concourse A, Gate A11 )
• Seattle, WA - SEA ( The Club - South Satellite, Gate S9 )
• St. Louis, MO - STL ( Wingtips Lounge - Terminal 2, Gate E29 )
• Washington Dulles, DC - IAD ( Air France-KLM Lounge - Concourse A, Gate A22 )
• Washington Dulles, DC - IAD ( Lufthansa Lounge - Concourse B, Gate B50 )
• Washington Dulles, DC - IAD ( Turkish Airlines - Concourse B, Gate B43 )
• Washington Dulles, DC - IAD ( Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse - Concourse A, Gate A32 )

* non-US or U.S. territory airport location ^ only certain Priority Pass cards are eligible

Closing Thoughts

I will continue to keep my eye open as new lounges open and close or as Southwest revises its destinations. I recently discovered that some lounges (The Club - LAS) are "Departure Only" meaning you can't go to the lounge unless you have a valid departure boarding pass. I might be the last to know this news, but I wanted to pass it along.

• Allegiant Airlines - Priority Pass Lounge Locations
• Avelo Airlines - Priority Pass Lounge Locations
• Breeze Airways - Priority Pass Lounge Locations
• Frontier Airlines - Priority Pass Lounge Locations
• Porter Airlines - Priority Pass Lounge Locations

Watch CBS News

Travel deal alert: Sam's Club members can save 10% on Southwest Airlines flights right now

By Fox Van Allen

March 3, 2023 / 2:33 PM EST / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

If you're planning spring or summer travel this year, Sam's Club has a Southwest Airlines deal that's not to be missed. Right now you can get a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for $450 . The best part is that if you have a large family -- or a lot of travel coming up -- you can buy up to three gift cards. That's a total savings of $150.

You can then use those discounted gift cards to purchase travel deals on the Southwest website . It's a smart way to stack discounts and stretch your travel budget even further this year.

You'll need to be a Sam's Club member to get this deal. Not a Sam's Club member? Not a problem -- there's a deal on that right now too. The Walmart-owned warehouse chain is offering  a one-year membership to Sam's Club for $25 . That's half the usual price of a Sam's Club membership. And with all these great gift card deals , the discounted membership practically pays for itself.

Sam's Club membership (1 year), $25 (regularly $50)

The warehouse retailer also has a deal for customers who want to become Sam's Club Plus members. Sam's Club Plus members get free shipping for online orders, free curbside pickup, 2% back on qualifying purchases (up to $500 back per year), free select generic prescriptions and 20% off glasses. Sam's Club Plus members can shop sales before any other Sam's Club members.

Right now, you can save $40 on a  Sam's Club Plus membership .

Sam's Club Plus membership, $70 (regularly $110)

Sam's Club members get access to the chain's gas stations, which typically offer gasoline at prices lower than competing nearby stations. (This is a common warehouse club perk: Costco members get access to Costco gas stations.) Of course, there's more to a Sam's Club membership than access to its discount gas stations. The warehouse giant offers bulk pricing on many popular household and grocery items, plus members-only pricing on tech and appliances.

Best Sam's Club gift card deals in March 2023

We've selected our favorite Sam's Club gift card deals and shared them below. And while you're at it, be sure to check out all the other deals at Sam's Club, including  this month's instant savings book deals and Sam's Club's ongoing clearance deals .

Sam's Club airline gift card deal: Save 10% on Southwest flights

Planning a vacation? You can get a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for just $450 at Sam's Club . There's a limit of three per membership -- a maximum savings of $150 off your future travel.

$500 Southwest Airlines gift card, $450

Sam's Club restaurant gift card deals

Many of the best Sam's Club gift card deals sell out, so if you see something you like, hop on it fast. Plenty more restaurants are available for purchase at the Sam's Club website and in your local warehouse club.

• Get a $50 Doordash e-gift card for $42.50
• Get $30 in Cold Stone Creamery Gift Cards for $21
• Get a $50 White Castle gift card for $40
• Get $50 in Krispy Kreme gift cards for $37.50
• Get $50 in Chuck E. Cheese gift cards for $37.50
• Get $50 in Golden Corral gift cards for $40
• Get a $100 Panera Bread e-gift card for $85
• Get $50 in Bob Evans gift cards for $40
• Get a $50 IHOP gift card for $37.50

Sam's Club video game gift card deals

These video gaming gift cards are your key to getting digital downloads of brand new releases at a discount. Here are the best gaming gift card deals.

• Get $100 in Nintendo eShop gift cards for $90
• Get a $100 Xbox e-gift card for $95
• Get $30 in Roblox gift cards (plus free virtual item) for $26
• Save on a $100 Steam gift card

Best Sam's Club movie ticket deals

Want to see the latest movies in the theater? Don't pay full price -- Sam's Club has deals for tickets for most major cinema houses. 

• Two AMC Black movie tickets (NY, NJ, CA), $22
• Two movie tickets for Regal Cinema, $19
• Two Regal 2 movie tickets (CA, DC, Philadelphia, NYC), $21
• Get a $50 gift card to Movietickets.com for $37.50

Best Sam's Club member deals in March 2023

It's not just Sam's Club memberships that are on sale this spring -- the warehouse retailer is marking down all sorts of great household items, apparel and gift cards in March 2023. We've rounded up our favorite deals to shop at Sam's Club below, or use the buttons to head directly to the deals -- both the March instant savings book deals and Sam's Club's ongoing clearance deals .

Hurry, many of the following featured Sam's Club deals end soon -- and some may sell out.

• Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (62.76 oz., 12 pk.), $9.72 (reduced from $11.32)
• Breathe Right Nasal Strips, Extra Strength (72 ct.), $17 (reduced from $20)
• Samsung 85" Class Q60B-Series QLED 4K Smart TV, $1,700 (reduced from $1,900)
• Arlo Wire-Free Video Doorbell Bundle (Doorbell + Extra Battery), $99 (reduced from $199)
• Xbox Wireless Pulse Red Controller, $44 (reduced from $55)
• Ecoxgear Eco Roam 30 Small Rugged IPX67 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $15 (reduced from $59)
• Member's Mark 14-Piece Tri-Ply Cookware Set, $130 (reduced from $180)
• Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized 14-Piece Cookware Set, $220 (reduced from $250)
• Member's Mark DIY Dog Biscuit Baking Kit and Treat Jar (14 oz.), $10 (reduced from $15)
• Member's Mark Luxury Premier Ribbed Cozy Knit Throw 60" x 70" in assorted colors, $20 (reduced from $30)

Get a Sam's Club membership starting at $25 

Sign up for an  annual Sam's Club membership  today, and start saving money on groceries, gas and so much more. 

Sam's Club also offers travel deals, a car-buying program, plus pharmacy, tire, optical and photo centers. The chain offers free curbside pickup, and, in some locations, same-day delivery.

You can find your local Sam's Club location (and Sam's Club Fuel Center)  using the club finder tool on the Sam's Club website .

Sam's Club membership (1 year), $25

Save money on gas with Walmart+

Enjoy  special member prices on gas  with a Walmart+ membership . In April 2022, Walmart doubled Walmart+ members' gas savings, from 5 cents off every gallon to 10 cents off. The deal is good at participating Walmart, Murphy, Exxon and Mobil stations. Simply scan the QR code that appears on the Walmart gas station pump screen to get started, and save cash. But wait, there's more: Walmart+ members are also eligible to fill up at Sam's Club fuel centers, and enjoy the  special gas prices offered to Sam's Club members .  

Walmart+ membership (1 year), $98

Related content from CBS Essentials:

• Best Sam's Club deals: Save $25 on a yearly membership and more
• Best Sam's Club deal of 2023: Get a Sam's Club membership for $25 and save big on gas
• Best deals at Walmart in March 2023: Tech, home, kitchen, fitness and more
• Best online clearance deals at Walmart in March 2023: Last chance to save up to 70%
• Amazon's Stock Up and Save sale is like a warehouse club membership, but better
• Best deals at Amazon in March 2023
• Gas price hack: Save money on gas with a free Sam's Club membership
• Sam's Club drops price on hot dog and drink combo, undercutting competitor Costco

Managing editor Fox Van Allen is an expert in tech, laptops and computers, toys and video games for CBS Essentials. When he's not writing about (or playing) the Nintendo Switch and PS5, Fox's hobbies include reality TV podcasting, designing board games and hanging out in his favorite warehouse stores.

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15 Top Loyalty Programs 2024 – Maximizing Your Rewards

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

For frequent travelers, loyalty programs offered by airlines and hotels can unlock a world of benefits and savings. These programs are designed to reward you for your patronage, offering everything from free flights and upgrades to hotel stays and exclusive perks. Navigating these programs can be overwhelming, but understanding and utilizing them effectively can significantly enhance your travel experience. This guide delves into some of the best loyalty programs available, providing insights on maximizing their benefits and making the most of every journey.

1. Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy encompasses a vast network of hotels, making it one of the most versatile hotel loyalty programs. As a member, you earn points for every stay, which can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences like cooking classes with renowned chefs or tickets to sporting events.

The program offers different membership tiers, each providing additional benefits. As you climb the tiers, you’ll enjoy perks like late check-out, lounge access, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. The program’s flexibility extends to its points system, allowing you to transfer points to various airline partners and increasing the utility of your earned points.

Insider’s Tip: Use the Marriott Bonvoy app to manage your bookings and conveniently access digital room keys.

2. World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is celebrated for its reward point system and user-friendly rewards structure. As a member, you earn points for hotel stays and dining and spa services at Hyatt properties worldwide. These points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences like private dinners.

The program is particularly generous for elite members, offering perks such as bonus points on stays, premium internet access, and room availability guarantees. Hyatt’s partnership with airlines also means you can convert your hotel points into airline miles, giving you more flexibility in using your rewards.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of Hyatt’s airline partnerships to earn miles on your stay.

3. Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a dynamic program offering flexibility and a wide range of benefits for travelers. You earn points per dollar on stays, which can be used for room bookings, experiences, or shopping. The program stands out for its Points & Money option, allowing you to book stays using a combination of points and cash, a great feature if you’re short on points.

Elite members enjoy significant benefits like room upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. Hilton’s extensive network of hotels means you can earn and redeem points across a diverse range of locations and property types, from luxury resorts to business hotels.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for periodic promotions that offer extra points or discounted redemption rates.

4. Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles is an airline loyalty program that rewards you with miles for every flight, which can be redeemed for free flights, seat upgrades, and more. One of the program’s strengths is the absence of blackout dates for award travel, providing greater flexibility for using your miles.

As you accumulate more miles, you can achieve elite status, which offers additional perks like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and waived baggage fees. Delta also has partnerships with hotels, car rental agencies, and retailers, allowing you to earn miles on everyday purchases, not just flights.

Insider’s Tip: Use the Delta SkyMiles shopping portal to earn miles on everyday purchases.

5. American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is designed to reward loyal customers with miles for flights with American Airlines and its partners. These miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays. Elite status in the program brings additional perks, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to exclusive lounges.

One of the program’s highlights is its frequent flyer promotions, which allow you to earn bonus miles or achieve elite status faster. The program also offers a range of co-branded credit cards, providing another avenue to earn miles on everyday spending.

Insider’s Tip: Keep an eye on special offers that allow you to earn bonus miles.

6. United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus allows travelers to earn miles for flights on United Airlines and its partner airlines. These miles can be used for booking flights, seat upgrades, and hotel stays. The program is known for its generous award availability and the ability to book flights on numerous partner airlines, expanding your travel options. Elite status in MileagePlus provides free checked bags, priority check-in, and access to United Club lounges. Additionally, United frequently offers promotions that allow you to earn bonus miles or save on award bookings, maximizing the value of your miles.

Insider’s Tip: Use the United MileagePlus X app to earn additional miles on everyday purchases.

7. Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program is favored for its simplicity and customer-friendly policies. It includes no blackout dates on award flights and no change fees. Members earn points based on the fare type purchased, which can be redeemed for free flights on Southwest. The program is primarily known for its Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly free with you for a year (or more) after meeting certain criteria. The points you earn never expire as long as you have a flight-earning activity every 24 months, making it a great program for both frequent and occasional flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Pay attention to fare sales to stretch your points even further.

8. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is highly regarded for the high value of its miles and its extensive network of airline partners. Members earn miles for flights with Alaska Airlines and its global partners, which can be redeemed for travel on Alaska Airlines and its partners.

The program offers generous upgrade policies for elite members and unique perks like a free checked bag. One of the standout features of the Mileage Plan is the ability to book stopovers on award flights, allowing you to visit multiple destinations for the price of one.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for frequent flyer promotions to earn bonus miles.

9. IHG Rewards Club

IHG Rewards Club, the InterContinental Hotels Group’s loyalty program, offers hotel stays points, which can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, and more. The program is known for its wide range of participating hotels, from luxury properties to family-friendly accommodations.

Members can earn points quickly through hotel stays, promotions, and partnerships, and the points can be used for a variety of rewards, including hotel stays, airline miles, and merchandise. Elite members enjoy additional benefits like room upgrades and late check-out, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Insider’s Tip: Use IHG’s Points & Cash option to book stays even if you don’t have enough points for the full amount.

10. Accor Live Limitless (ALL)

Accor Live Limitless (ALL) encompasses a wide range of hotel brands, from luxury to economy, offering a loyalty program that caters to various travel styles. Members earn points for stays and services, which can be redeemed for hotel stays, experiences, and partner offers.

The program offers different membership levels, with higher tiers providing additional benefits like room upgrades and welcome drinks. ALL also features frequent promotions allowing members to earn extra points or enjoy discounted stays, making accumulating points and enjoying the program’s benefits easier.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of ALL’s frequent promotions to earn extra points.

11. British Airways Executive Club

British Airways Executive Club rewards members with Avios points for flights, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and hotel stays. The program offers tier points for each flight, helping members achieve elite status with additional benefits. Avios points can also be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday spending with program partners.

The flexibility of Avios points makes the program attractive, as they can be used for reward flights, seat upgrades, and even shopping. The Executive Club also offers household accounts, allowing families to pool their Avios points together.

Insider’s Tip: Use Avios points for short-haul flights, which often offer the best value.

12. Lufthansa Miles & More

Lufthansa’s Miles & More is Europe’s largest frequent flyer program, offering miles for flights with Lufthansa and partner airlines, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and shopping. The program provides a range of ways to earn miles, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday spending with credit card partners.

Miles & More also features a variety of redemption options, giving members the flexibility to use their miles in a way that best suits their travel needs. Elite status in the program offers additional benefits like lounge access and extra baggage allowance, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for Miles & More credit card offers to earn additional miles.

13. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program is known for its exceptional service and valuable reward opportunities. Members earn miles for flights with Singapore Airlines and partner airlines, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and shopping. The program is particularly beneficial for those who fly frequently with Singapore Airlines or its partners.

It offers a range of elite tiers with additional benefits like priority check-in and extra baggage allowance. KrisFlyer miles can also be used for booking award flights in Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins, known for their luxury and comfort, providing excellent value for your miles.

Insider’s Tip: Use KrisFlyer miles for Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins for the best value.

14. Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards members with points for flights with Qantas and partner airlines, offering a wide range of redemption options. Points can be used for flights, upgrades, and a variety of products and services. The program also offers status credits, which help members achieve higher tiers with additional benefits.

Qantas Frequent Flyer is known for its extensive partner network, allowing members to earn and redeem points across various airlines, hotels, and retailers. The program’s flexibility and range of benefits make it a popular choice for travelers in Australia and beyond.

Insider’s Tip: Earn extra points by shopping at Qantas’ online mall.

15. Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards offers a rewarding experience for travelers flying with Emirates and its partner airlines. Members earn miles for flights, which can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including flights, upgrades, and exclusive experiences. The program is known for its luxurious rewards, including access to Emirates’ world-class lounges and premium cabin upgrades.

Skywards miles can also be used for hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping, providing flexibility in how you use your rewards. Elite status in the program offers additional benefits like priority boarding and bonus miles, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of Skywards’ “Miles Accelerator” offers to earn bonus miles.

The Bottom Line

Leveraging loyalty programs effectively can transform your travel experiences, offering not just cost savings but also enhanced comfort and exclusive perks. Whether you’re loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain or prefer to spread your wings across multiple programs, understanding how to maximize these benefits can make a significant difference in your travels. Remember, the key to making the most of these programs is to stay informed about the latest offers and promotions and to align your travel plans accordingly. Happy travels, and enjoy reaping the rewards of your loyalty!

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The post 15 Top Loyalty Programs 2024 – Maximizing Your Rewards republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Prostock-studio.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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