The number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points needed for a flight varies because Southwest uses a revenue-based award system, meaning points required are directly tied to the cash price of the ticket. For example, a $100 cash fare typically costs less than 7,500 points plus taxes and fees
. Key details about Southwest points for flights:
- Points needed fluctuate with the fare price; cheaper fares require fewer points.
- A Southwest Rapid Rewards point is worth roughly 1.3 to 1.4 cents on average.
- For instance, a flight costing $100 might require about 7,500 points, while a $199 fare might need around 14,000 points.
- Points do not expire as long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open
- You can book flights with points by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest’s website, selecting the "Points" option when searching flights
Southwest does not have a fixed award chart; instead, the points needed vary with fare sales and route demand. This dynamic pricing means sometimes you might get better value by redeeming points when fares are lower
. In summary, the points required for a Southwest flight depend on the cash price of the ticket, with an approximate conversion of about 7,500 points per $100 fare, but this can vary by route and date.
