Travel Points Credit Cards I Can Use on Southwest for Free Flights

If you're a frequent Southwest Airlines flyer, you're in luck - there are several travel points credit cards that can help you earn free flights.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for example, offers 2X points on travel and dining purchases, which can be transferred to Southwest Airlines.

With a minimum spend of $3,000 in the first 3 months, you can earn a 60,000-point bonus, which can be redeemed for a free flight.

The Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard, on the other hand, offers 2X miles on all purchases, which can be redeemed for travel, including Southwest flights, at a rate of 1 cent per mile.

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Cash + Points is a feature that allows Rapid Rewards Members to combine points with other eligible forms of payment to purchase flights. This means you can use your points to cover part of the cost, while also paying with cash.

The minimum redemption option for the selected flight(s) will be presented on screen, starting with as few as 1,000 points. You'll be given up to five options for point redemptions.

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Changes can be made to flights booked with Cash + Points, but if the change results in a fare increase, you'll need to pay the difference with another eligible form of payment. Points or Cash + Points can't be used to cover the fare increase.

For bookings with a final flight completed before 2:59 AM Central Standard Time on 1/1/25, Cash + Points bookings won't earn Rapid Rewards points or other benefits. However, for bookings with a final flight completed after 3:00 AM CST on 1/1/25, the cash portion of a Cash + Points booking will earn Rapid Rewards points and other benefits.

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If you're not satisfied with your travel points credit card, Southwest Airlines has a redemption and refund policy in place.

You can redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses, but be aware that some redemption options may have blackout dates or other restrictions.

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Southwest Airlines allows you to cancel your award ticket within 24 hours of booking without any penalties, but after that, you may be subject to a change fee.

If you've already redeemed your points for a flight and need to make changes, you can do so for a fee, which varies depending on the type of change.

Cash + Points bookings can be changed, but if the change results in a fare increase, another eligible form of payment will be required.

If you book a flight using Cash + Points, you can make changes to your reservation, but you won't be able to use points or Cash + Points to pay for the increased fare.

With Cash + Points bookings, you won't earn Rapid Rewards points, Rapid Rewards Business points, tier qualifying points, or Companion Pass qualifying points for flights completed before 2:59 AM Central Standard Time on January 1, 2025.

However, if your booking contains flights before and after 3:00 AM CST on January 1, 2025, the cash portion of your Cash + Points booking will earn Rapid Rewards points and other qualifying points.

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When you're ready to redeem your points, Southwest Airlines has a great return policy. You can redeem your Rapid Rewards points for flights on Southwest Airlines, as well as on their partner airlines.

Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, with no blackout dates or restrictions.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card offers a range of redemption options, including flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You can also redeem your points for gift cards or other rewards.

Here are some redemption options available with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card:

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, you can also earn points on everyday purchases, including 2x points on Southwest purchases, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, and phone services, and streaming services.

To be eligible for a Southwest credit card, you can hold only one personal card at a time. This means you can't have multiple personal Southwest cards open simultaneously.

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You can, however, hold both business cards, which is a different rule from the personal card limit. This is a great option if you're looking to earn rewards for your business.

To apply for a Southwest credit card, you'll need to meet Chase's eligibility requirements. This includes not having opened five or more new cards of any type in the last 24 months, excluding Chase, AMEX, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citi business cards.

You can check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card to ensure you're eligible for the best travel rewards cards. Credit scores range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect), and scores above 750 are considered excellent.

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All Rapid Rewards Members are eligible to use Cash + Points, as long as they have an active account and enough points to cover the minimum redemption option.

To be eligible, you don't need to meet any specific requirements other than having an active account and enough points to redeem.

You must have an active account and enough points to cover the minimum redemption option presented in the Cash + Points redemption flow.

Before applying for a Southwest credit card, there are some essential rules to keep in mind. You can only hold one personal Southwest card at a time.

Chase has a rule that prevents you from earning the bonus on any personal Southwest card if you've earned it in the last 24 months. This means you won't be eligible for the offer, but you can consider having a spouse or loved one apply instead.

You can, however, hold both business cards, which is different from the personal card rule. This might be a good option if you're eligible for business credit cards.

It's also worth noting that Chase has a notorious 5/24 rule, which means they won't approve you for any card if you've opened 5 or more new cards of any type in the last 24 months, excluding certain business cards.

Additionally, Chase won't approve you if you apply for more than one of their cards within 30 days. However, there may be an exception if you bank with Chase and apply in a branch. Some readers have reported success applying for two Chase cards in one day, but this hasn't been personally tried.

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Here's a quick summary of the rules to keep in mind:

You likely need a Southwest credit card if you fly Southwest several times per year. The higher annual fee cards offer significant benefits for frequent flyers.

You can earn the same 2X points with a Chase Sapphire Preferred, which also has a bigger signup bonus. This card lets you earn bonus points on all travel, not just Southwest.

You can transfer points back to Southwest 1:1, or to any other transfer partner. This gives you flexibility and more value from your points.

Charging the fee to the Southwest Performance Business card will get you reimbursed automatically by Chase.

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Your credit score is a crucial factor in determining which travel rewards cards you're eligible for. It's a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 850.

Scores above 750 are generally considered excellent. If you're new to travel rewards and credit, it's a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card.

You can check your credit score for free through various options, including Personal Bank, Credit Karma, and Annual Credit Report.

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Southwest Airlines offers two elite status tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred. To earn A-List status, you need to fly 25 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.

With A-List status, you'll get priority boarding, a 25% Rapid Rewards point bonus, complimentary same-day standby, and priority check-in and security line access. You'll also have a special A-List phone number.

To upgrade to A-List Preferred, fly 50 qualifying one-way flights in a year or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points. A-List Preferred offers all the benefits of A-List, plus double points bonus on all qualifying flights and free inflight WiFi.

Here's a quick summary of the benefits:

If you're looking to fly with Southwest Airlines, you have five different credit cards to choose from, each with its own benefits and requirements.

Southwest Airlines is one of the largest domestic carriers in the United States, making it a great option for many travelers.

Building up Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points is a quick way to do it with a Southwest credit card, but picking the right one can be intimidating.

You might be surprised what qualifies you to apply for and get a business credit card, even if you don't own a business.

To max out your miles, you can get both the personal and business credit cards, but be aware that you'll need to wait 24 months after receiving a sign-up bonus for the business card.

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Earning A-List Preferred status with Southwest Airlines requires a bit more effort, but it's worth it for the added perks.

You'll need to fly 50 qualifying one-way flights in a year or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points. To put that into perspective, 50 flights is a lot, but if you're a frequent flyer, it's definitely achievable.

A-List Preferred benefits include everything from A-List status, plus a few extra perks. You'll get double points bonus on all qualifying flights, which can really add up over time.

To start flying free on Southwest Airlines, consider getting a Southwest credit card. This can be a quick way to build up Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points.

The Southwest Premier credit card has a $99 annual fee, but its benefits are limited. You'll receive tier qualifying points based on your spending, and the card will waive foreign transaction fees.

To qualify for Companion Pass, you need to earn 110,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. You could earn the same 2X points with a Chase Sapphire Preferred, which also has a bigger signup bonus.

The best credit cards for Southwest Rapid Rewards are summarized in articles about personal and business travel rewards cards. These articles provide a quick overview of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

Getting the Southwest Companion Pass can be a game-changer for frequent flyers. With it, you can bring a companion with you for free on all your Southwest flights.

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Southwest Airlines Benefits: Do Free Bags?

Southwest doesn't charge for your first or second checked bag, making it a great option for travelers with a lot of luggage.

You can check one bag for free, and a second bag is also free, which is a nice perk for families or those with bulky items.

Southwest's no-fee bag policy is one of the airline's most popular benefits, and it's a major reason why many people choose to fly with them.

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You have several credit card options to choose from when it comes to earning travel points on Southwest. Chase issues the Southwest credit cards, offering a range of benefits and rewards for frequent flyers.

The Southwest personal credit card options include the option to earn 4 points per $1 on Southwest purchases and 2 points per $1 on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and phone services. You can also earn 9,000 anniversary points, which qualify for the Companion Pass.

The Southwest Business Card offers even more perks, including 4 points per $1 on Southwest purchases, 2 points per $1 on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and phone services, and 2 points on local transit and commuting. You can also earn unlimited tier qualifying points and no foreign transaction fees.

Here are the benefits of the Southwest credit cards in a quick-reference format:

There are credit cards specifically designed for Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards miles, which can be a great option for frequent flyers.

If you're a personal traveler, you can choose from a range of cards that offer rewards rates and benefits tailored to your needs.

The best personal travel rewards cards earning Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards miles include a summary of card details, reward rates, and benefits.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards miles can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.

Business travelers can also benefit from credit cards earning Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards miles, with card details, reward rates, and benefits specifically designed for business use.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card is one such option, offering a range of benefits and rewards for business travelers.

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Chase is the credit card issuer for your Southwest credit card. This means that Chase is the bank responsible for managing your Southwest credit card account.

Chase offers several Southwest credit cards, including personal and business options. If you're interested in applying for a Southwest credit card, you can expect to work with Chase.

The benefits of having a Southwest credit card issued by Chase include earning points on Southwest purchases, getting free WiFi, and enjoying TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits. These benefits can vary depending on the specific credit card you choose.

Here are some key benefits of the Southwest credit cards issued by Chase:

It's worth noting that if you're declined for one of these cards, you can still consider other options.

If you're looking for a credit card with benefits that cater to your personal travel habits, you've got a few options to consider.

Chase is the credit card issuer for your Southwest credit card, so you'll need to apply through their platform.

The entry-level Southwest Plus Credit Card is a good choice if you rarely travel on Southwest or just want to rack up Rapid Rewards points, but it's not the best option for frequent travelers.

For those who fly Southwest regularly, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a better fit, offering perks like annual travel credits, upgraded boardings, and the highest level of earning potential on Southwest purchases.

This card comes with a higher annual fee of $149, but the benefits can quickly offset the cost, especially if you're a frequent flyer.

Here are the key benefits of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card:

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card also offers 3x points on Southwest purchases, making it a great choice for frequent flyers.