Booking flights with points can feel confusing—especially if you’re new to airline loyalty programs. Southwest Airlines makes the process simpler than most, and its mobile app is one of the easiest ways to redeem Rapid Rewards® points for flights.
This in-depth guide explains exactly how to book Southwest flights with points on the app, how pricing works, common mistakes to avoid, and how to get the best value per point, based on publicly available information and expert travel-rewards best practices.
Whether you’re booking a short domestic hop or a longer transcontinental trip, this article walks you through everything step by step.
Understanding Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Before opening the app, it helps to understand how Southwest’s loyalty program works.
What Are Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?
Southwest Rapid Rewards is a revenue-based loyalty program, meaning:
- Points are tied directly to the cash price of the ticket
- There are no blackout dates
- If a seat is available for cash, it’s available for points
Unlike traditional award charts used by some airlines, Southwest points fluctuate with demand.
Key Features of Southwest Points Redemptions
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Blackout dates | None |
| Change fees | None |
| Cancellation fees | None |
| Points expiration | Never expire |
| Taxes on award tickets | Required (usually ~$5.60 one-way within the U.S.) |
According to Southwest Airlines’ official Rapid Rewards terms, points never expire as long as the program exists and your account remains open.
Why Use the Southwest App to Book With Points?
The Southwest mobile app (available on iOS and Android) is one of the most user-friendly airline apps in the U.S.
Benefits of Booking on the App
- Faster access to points pricing
- Easy comparison between cash and points
- Simple cancellation and rebooking
- Real-time flight alerts and boarding position updates
Consumer usability studies referenced by Consumer Reports have consistently ranked Southwest’s digital tools among the easiest for U.S. travelers to use.
What You Need Before Booking With Points
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
Checklist
- A Rapid Rewards account
- Enough points (or points + cash option)
- Latest version of the Southwest app
- Saved passenger information (optional, but helpful)
Step-by-Step: How to Book Southwest Flights With Points on the App
This is the core process most travelers are looking for.
Step 1: Download and Open the Southwest App
- iOS: Apple App Store
- Android: Google Play Store
Once installed, open the app and log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
Step 2: Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account
Logging in first ensures:
- Your points balance displays automatically
- You can toggle between dollars and points
- Saved travelers and payment methods are available
Step 3: Tap “Book a Flight”
On the app’s home screen:
- Tap “Book a Flight”
- Choose One-way, Round Trip, or Multi-city
Step 4: Toggle “Points” Instead of “Dollars”
This is the most important step.
- Look for the “Points” toggle
- Switch from USD ($) to Points
Once toggled, all prices will display in Rapid Rewards points.
Step 5: Enter Flight Details
Fill in:
- Departure city
- Destination city
- Travel dates
- Number of passengers
Tap Search.
Step 6: Compare Available Flights
Flights appear sorted by:
- Departure time
- Arrival time
- Number of stops
- Points required
You’ll see pricing across fare types.
Step 7: Choose a Fare Type
Southwest offers four fare categories.
Southwest Fare Comparison (Points Booking)
| Fare Type | Points Cost | Changes | Refunds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanna Get Away® | Lowest | Free | Points refunded |
| Wanna Get Away Plus™ | Low | Free | Transferable credit |
| Anytime | Higher | Free | Refundable |
| Business Select® | Highest | Free | Refundable + perks |
Expert tip:
For most travelers, Wanna Get Away® fares offer the best value per point, based on publicly available pricing data.
Step 8: Review Trip Details
Before continuing, confirm:
- Correct dates
- Passenger names
- Points total
- Taxes and fees (usually ~$5.60 per one-way domestic flight)
Step 9: Pay Taxes and Fees
Even with points, Southwest requires payment of:
- Government-mandated taxes
- Security fees (set by the U.S. Department of Transportation)
These are paid with a credit or debit card.
Step 10: Confirm and Book
Tap “Purchase”, and your booking is complete.
You’ll receive:
- Confirmation number
- Email receipt
- Trip details in the app
How Many Points Do You Need for a Southwest Flight?
Southwest points are typically worth 1.3–1.5 cents per point, based on fare price.
Example Redemption
| Cash Price | Points Required | Value per Point |
|---|---|---|
| $98 | ~6,500 | ~1.5¢ |
| $220 | ~14,700 | ~1.49¢ |
| $420 | ~28,000 | ~1.5¢ |
Based on publicly available data, there is no confirmed fixed award chart—pricing adjusts dynamically.
How to Cancel or Change a Points Booking in the App
Southwest’s flexibility is one of its biggest strengths.
Canceling a Points Flight
- Open the app
- Go to My Trips
- Select the reservation
- Tap Cancel
- Points are refunded instantly
Changing a Points Booking
- Select your flight
- Tap Change
- Choose a new flight
- Pay or receive points difference
No penalties. No change fees.
Expert Tips to Get the Best Value From Southwest Points
Book Early, Reprice Often
Because points prices track cash fares:
- Book early
- Recheck prices weekly
- Rebook if points cost drops
This strategy mirrors best-practice consumer optimization advice found in Harvard Business Review discussions on dynamic pricing.
Use Points for Expensive Dates
Points deliver the most value when:
- Traveling during holidays
- Booking last-minute
- Flying popular routes
Combine With the Companion Pass
If you have a Southwest Companion Pass:
- Book one ticket with points
- Add your companion for just taxes and fees
This effectively doubles your point value.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to toggle from dollars to points
- Not logging in before searching
- Ignoring fare differences
- Paying cash when points offer equal value
- Not checking price drops after booking
Security, Privacy, and Trust Considerations
Southwest Airlines follows U.S. Department of Transportation consumer protection rules and PCI-compliant payment processing standards.
For general guidance on secure digital transactions, government consumer portals like USA.gov emphasize using official apps and avoiding third-party booking platforms when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I book Southwest flights with points entirely on the app?
Yes. The Southwest app fully supports points bookings from search to confirmation.
2. Do Southwest points expire?
No. Based on publicly available information, Rapid Rewards points do not expire.
3. Can I use points for international flights?
Yes, Southwest allows points bookings for international destinations it serves, with higher taxes and fees.
4. Are there blackout dates for points bookings?
No. Southwest does not have blackout dates.
5. Can I book for someone else using my points?
Yes. You can book flights for anyone using your Rapid Rewards points.
6. What happens if the points price drops after booking?
You can rebook the flight and get the difference refunded in points.
7. Do I earn points on points bookings?
No. Flights booked with points do not earn additional Rapid Rewards points.
8. Can I combine points and cash?
Yes. Southwest allows Points + Cash bookings if you don’t have enough points.
9. Are taxes refundable on canceled award flights?
Yes. Taxes and fees are refunded to the original payment method.
10. Is the app safer than booking on a browser?
Both are secure, but official apps reduce phishing risk, according to consumer cybersecurity guidance.
Final Thoughts: Is Booking Southwest Flights With Points on the App Worth It?
Absolutely.
Southwest’s app makes points redemption:
- Simple
- Transparent
- Risk-free due to free changes and cancellations
For travelers who value flexibility, predictable value, and ease of use, booking Southwest flights with points on the app is one of the best redemption experiences in U.S. travel.
If certain internal valuation formulas are unknown, it’s best stated clearly:
Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on Southwest’s internal point-pricing algorithm.
What is clear is this: when used strategically, Southwest points—especially via the mobile app—deliver consistent, real-world value with minimal friction.
