Southwest Airlines is offering Rapid Rewards members a chance to save up to 40% on points purchases between May 30, 2023 and June 20, 2023. If you’re in the market for additional Rapid Rewards points, then this is a great opportunity to stock up for upcoming travel.
To take advantage of this offer, you’ll need to purchase a minimum of 3,000 points. Points can be purchased in blocks of 1,000 up to a daily maximum of 60,000 points (although there is no annual maximum like many other loyalty programs).
The discounts work as follows:
- 30% off when purchasing 3,000 to 9,000 points
- 35% off when purchasing 10,000 to 14,000 points
- 40% off when purchasing 15,000 or more points
How much are Rapid Rewards points worth?
The value of Rapid Rewards points varies depending on how you use them. In general, we estimate that these points are worth about 1.2 cents each when redeemed for flights.
Southwest Rapid Rewards is a revenue-based frequent flyer program. This means that the number of points required for a flight is directly correlated to the revenue cost of a flight. In other words, the more expensive the flight, the more points you’ll need to redeem it.
However, you can get more value for your points if you redeem them for other rewards, such as upgrades or gift cards.
The value of buying points with a bonus
When you buy points with a bonus, you’re essentially getting a discount on the value of those points. This can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you’re planning a big trip, but I would suggest avoiding buying points unless you’re already close to a redemption and need the extra to achieve your travel goal.
How much does this promotion compare to previous offers?
Southwest has offered a variety of points purchase promotions in the past. The current promotion, which offers up to 40% off, is one of the best offers that Southwest has offered in recent years, although we have seen promotions with a 50% bonus on some occasions – the most recent of which was in April.
Do Rapid Reward points expire?
One concern many loyalty program members have is that if they fail to use their points in a set time, then they’ll be lost forever. In this case, however, Rapid Rewards points do not expire.
Other ways to earn bonus points
In addition to promotions, one of the most effective ways to earn bonus Rapid Rewards points is through Southwest’s partnership with Chase Bank. There are several cobranded Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards that allow you to earn points on everyday purchases and sign-up bonuses.
