Understanding the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points is important when comparing other points programs and knowing how many points you need for your next free flight.
Our data analysis of the cash and points price of more than 50 flights provides a clear picture of what each Rapid Rewards point is worth. In the following guide, we will go into the specifics of our Southwest point valuation, how to earn more points and how to redeem your points.
How Much are Southwest Points Worth?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth 1.37 cents per point on average based on our data study of over 50 flights.
Southwest uses a revenue-based points program, which means all Southwest award tickets are priced based on the ticket’s cash value. This means the more expensive the ticket, the more Southwest points you will need.
Here is a spreadsheet of the data of all the flights we used to calculate the value of Southwest points, which we update frequently to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. We also believe in data transparency, which is why we show you our data, unlike several larger websites.
Our data analysis also found that connecting flights have a better points value than direct flights, but direct flights are generally a better deal since connecting flights on Southwest usually cost slightly more.
For example, a direct flight from Chicago to New York (LGA) costs $267.97 or 19,022 points (1.35 cents per point) versus a connecting flight costing $285.96 or 18,942 points (1.45 cents per point). I think most people would choose the direct flight for 80 more points (worth about $1.10) over the connecting flight.
Southwest Points Value Calculator
To help you calculate the value of your Southwest Rapid Rewards points, we created a calculator to help you calculate the value of your Southwest points:
Ways to Earn Southwest Points
It is always a good practice to earn as many Southwest points as you can. Here are all the ways you can earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points:
You earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points based on the base fare of a flight, which excludes taxes and fees, usually 15% to 20% of the advertised flight price. You will earn points at a rate of 6 points per dollar for Wanna Get Away Fares, 8x points for Wanna Get Away Plus, 10x points for Anytime, and 12x for Business Select fares. Additionally, Southwest elite members get a 25% bonus for A-List and 100% bonus for A-List Preferred. Below is an estimate of how many points you will earn for your next Southwest flight, which may vary slightly depending on your starting, connecting, and ending airports.
A great way to earn Southwest points and potentially earn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass is to hold Southwest credit cards. You are limited to one personal and one business card at a time. Here are the current welcome bonuses on Southwest credit cards: If you need Southwest points quickly, one option is to transfer points to Southwest from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1-to-1 ratio. Cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can transfer to Southwest include: You can also transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy at a ratio of 3 Marriott to 1 Southwest, with a 5,000 Southwest point bonus if you transfer points in increments of 60,000 Marriott Points. For example, you could transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and net 25,000 Southwest points with the bonus. Cards that earn Marriott Bonvoy points that you could transfer to Southwest include the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. The last two transfer options are from World of Hyatt and Choice Hotels, but I don’t think they are a good value. You can transfer Hyatt points to Southwest at a rate of 5,000 Hyatt Points to 2,400 Southwest Points, but if you transfer 50,000 Hyatt Points, there is a bonus netting you 30,000 Southwest points in total. Lastly, you to redeem 6,000 Choice Privileges points for 1,800 Southwest points. Southwest offers several options to earn Southwest Points instead of hotel points. You can earn the most points via Southwest Hotels and RocketMiles, but you will forgo any elite benefits you may entitled to, such as room upgrades, free breakfast, and Wi-Fi. The amount of points varies by hotel. Most larger cities offer 3,ooo to 6,000 points, and smaller cities usually have hotels that offer 1,000 to 3,000 points. Other options where you can still get elite benefits but forgo hotel points are: Southwest partners with several rental car companies where you can earn 600 Southwest Rapid Rewards points per rental at Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. You can earn Southwest points by clicking through the Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal before visiting a store’s website. Some stores have really high earning rates, like 4,500 points for switching to AT&T Internet or 2,700 points on your first cooking box from Sun Basket. You can see the stores offering the most points by clicking here and then “Stores by earn rate.” You can also add the Google Chrome Rapid Rewards Shopping button to get reminders to easily activate points directly at over 850 stores. You can link any credit card to the Rapid Rewards Dining program to automatically earn points every time you pay using that card at participating restaurants. You earn 3 points per dollar if you opt-in for dining emails and one point per two dollars if you opt-out of their emails. Plus, you earn 10 points for every review you complete. You can also check our bonuses section to earn extra points when you sign up. Home Chef: Earn 1,200 points on your first five Home Chef meal boxes. Wine: You can earn 2,000 points on your first Laithwaites wine case order and 1,000 points for each order thereafter. Gift Baskets: Earn 1,000 Southwest points on purchases of $29.99 or more at Harry & David when you use promo code SW44. Surveys: Earn extra points by taking surveys with E-Rewards and Rewards for Opinions Electricity: NRG and Reliant Energy customers can earn points when they sign up for new services. Emergency Insurance: Earn 1,400 points annually with a yearly Emergency Assistance Plus membership that offers 24-hour emergency medical assistance to its subscribers when they travel.Flying on Southwest Airlines Flights
Southwest Credit Cards
Transferring Points to Southwest
Hotels
Rental Cars
Rapid Rewards Online Shopping Portal
Rapid Rewards Dining
Other Ways
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much are 10,000 Southwest Points Worth?
10,000 Southwest points are worth about $137 based on our data study of the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
How Much are 25,000 Southwest Points Worth?
25,000 Southwest points are worth about $342.50 based on our data study of the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
How Much are 50,000 Southwest Points Worth?
50,000 Southwest points are worth about $685 based on our data study of the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
How Much are 75,000 Southwest Points Worth?
75,000 Southwest points are worth about $1,027.50 based on our data study of the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
How Much are 100,000 Southwest Points Worth?
100,000 Southwest points are worth about $1,370 based on our data study of the value of Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
