Trying to book a cheap flight for an upcoming family vacation? There are ways to save, from our favorite Southwest Low Fare Calendar hack to their Rapid Rewards and drink coupons. Flights may be more expensive than ever, but we have the best Southwest Airlines hacks — like email promo codes, seasonal sales, Tuesday discounts, and price adjustments — to get you cheaper airfare next time you travel.
Sometimes Southwest can be intimidating. For example, what if you can’t find seats to sit together with your family or companions when it’s time for your group to board? There are some pretty easy ways to make sure your flight is comfortable for everyone in your crew. It may require strategizing, but nothing beyond a bit of planning ahead.
Southwest is changing their seating policy. Starting in 2025, Southwest Airlines will assign seats. They will also offer premium seating with extra legroom at premium prices. Although we don't know specifics about the actual start date and pricing, we'll update this post as soon as we do.
And if you want to find more ways to save on your next vacation, check out our travel tips; then download the Krazy Coupon Lady app to get alerts whenever there’s a travel deal.
Southwest is changing their seating policy in 2025.
Starting in 2025, Southwest Airlines will assign seats. After more than 50 years, the days when people fake injuries just for a chance to pre-board or fight to get the seat(s) they want on a plane are almost over. How much the new assigned seating will run remains unknown. But, we anticipate this change will likely increase their $29 - $59 Wanna Get Away low fares. This September, watch for Southwest to announce more details about seat pricing and when the assigned seating will start.
1. Try the Southwest Low Fare Calendar hack if you have flexible travel dates.
The first thing you should do is check the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar. Having flexible travel dates means you can use this handy tool to find the dates when your flights are the cheapest.
In order to game the Southwest Low Far Calendar hacks, all you have to do is select your desired airports and the months you want to depart and return. Southwest will show you up to eight months of prices, and you can easily change the months using the tabs at the top.
You can do this for any Southwest destination — including direct flights to Hawaii. I found December flights to Hawaii for as little as $138 one way with the help of the Low Fare Calendar. Merry Christmas to me!
2. Get Southwest promo codes weekly when you sign up for their emails.
Receive special Southwest promo codes, deals, contest announcements, giveaways notices, and the occasional free drink coupon when you sign up for Southwest’s free email newsletter.
Besides their sales, this is one of the best ways to get Southwest Airlines deals. You can also sign up for emails directly from your Southwest Rapid Rewards account profile. Which brings us to our next tip …
3. Sign up for Southwest Rapid Rewards to create your own Southwest flight deals.
This is one of the biggest tips for flying Southwest I can give you. Rapid Rewards is Southwest’s free mileage program and your golden ticket to free flights.
Here’s how many points you’ll get from buying tickets:
Business Select Fares: Earn 12 points per $1 spent.
Anytime Fares: Earn 10 points per $1 spent.
Wanna Get Away Plus Fares: Earn eight points per $1 spent.
Wanna Get Away Fares: Earn six points per $1 spent.
Rapid Rewards members can earn additional points by signing up for partner offers on dining, shopping, travel, and more (see Tip #15).
You can then redeem the points for Southwest flights. The number of points required depends on the flight — destination, time of booking, date of travel, time of day, how many flights, etc. If you have enough for a free flight, you’ll only pay taxes and fees, which can be as low as $5.60 one way.
Rapid Rewards Premier
Premier Business
Priority
Performance Business
TIP: As a Rapid Rewards member, you may sometimes get free drink coupons sent to you in the mail.
4. The more Southwest Rapid Rewards points you earn, the better the perks.
Southwest has three status tiers: A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass.
A-List Status
You reach this level when you buy 20 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 points in a calendar year. When you’re an A-lister, you get priority boarding, earn 25% more Southwest Rapid Rewards points on each flight, get priority check-in, and receive a few other envious perks.
A-List Preferred
You reach this level when you buy 40 one-way flights or earn 70,000 points in a calendar year. It has the same perks as regular A-List with double the base points, free in-flight Wi-Fi, two complimentary premium drinks per flight, and a dedicated customer service number.
Companion Pass
You reach this level when you buy 100 one-way flights or earn 135,000 points in a calendar year. At this level, you get the Southwest Companion Pass, good for over a year’s worth of free flights for a guest.
Rapid Rewards members will be able to use a combination of cash and points to pay for flights (with as few as 1,000 points) starting in the spring of 2024.
5. Earn the Southwest Companion Pass if you fly often or have the Southwest credit card.
The Southwest Companion Pass lets you choose one person to fly with you for free as long as you have the pass; you only have to pay taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 one way. You’ll need to have a Southwest Rapid Rewards account for this perk.
There are three main ways to earn a Southwest companion pass:
Take 100 one-way flights in one calendar year.
Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in one calendar year. Without the credit card promotions, you’d need to spend at least $11,250 on fares.
Sign up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card to get bonus points, plus points for almost all purchases.
Once you’ve earned the pass, it’s valid for the rest of the calendar year and the entirety of the next year.
TIP: For the full rundown on what the companion pass is and the fastest ways to earn it, check out our Southwest Companion Pass Guide.
6. Southwest points don’t expire — unless you’re trying to get a Southwest Companion Pass.
Luckily, Southwest points don’t expire, but if you’re saving them for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, then your progress resets every Jan. 1.
So if you were to earn 100,000 points in 2022, when 2023 rolls around, you’d still have 100,000 points to spend on flights, but you couldn’t count those towards a companion pass. More about points in Tip #15.
7. Buy your Southwest tickets cheaper on Tuesdays at 3 p.m.
Why Tuesdays? That’s when Southwest typically announces weekly special fares in their email newsletter.
These weekly Southwest Airlines deals only last about three days and usually end on Thursday of that week. Be one of the first to grab a special fare before seats sell out.
TIP: We know the best time to buy airline tickets for all the major carriers.
8. Get a price adjustment if you see a lower fare after you’ve booked.
Keep an eye on the price of tickets after you buy them. If you see the price drop, Southwest will give you a refund for the difference.
In order to get a price adjustment, you’ll need to first make sure the special fare applies to your previously booked flight. Next, sign in to your Southwest account to view your reservation and select “Change Reservation.” Follow the prompts to choose your new flight.
If you paid with points, the difference will be returned to your account immediately. If you used cash, you’ll receive a travel fund credit for the difference, or they’ll credit your original form of payment.
TIP: If you booked over the phone, you’ll have to call the Southwest customer service number at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA.
9. It’s free to cancel your Southwest flight.
Yup, that’s right. Free.
You can cancel your Southwest flight up to 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time for no charge. You’ll get a reusable travel fund worth the cost of your ticket for future use. (And those funds usually expire one year from the date of your original booking.)
If you try to cancel within 10 minutes of departure, or you’ve missed your flight — which definitely isn’t the same thing as canceling — you forfeit your flight cost.
Related: Here’s what each airline owes you as compensation for a delayed flight.
10. It’s also free to do a Southwest flight change.
You can also change your Southwest flight up to 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time and pay zero fees.
This is a big deal because many airlines charge between $39 – $150 to change a flight, depending on the airline and the amount of time before departure.
With Southwest, you’ll have to pay any differences in fares, obviously. But if the new flight is cheaper, you’ll get a refund to your original form of payment or the difference will be put onto your account as a Southwest travel fund, typically valid up to a year from the date of your original booking.
11. Southwest’s baggage policy gives you two free checked bags every flight.
Southwest has the best baggage policy among U.S.-based airlines. You get a personal item, a free carry-on, and two free checked bags per ticket. They’re literally the only airline that doesn’t charge for a checked bag, let alone two. You can even count golf bags and skis toward your free checked bags.
Other airlines charge between $30 – $60 for that first bag and $35 – $52 for a second bag. You’re saving up to $112 just on baggage fees by flying Southwest. (Some airlines even charge for carry-on bags.)
Make sure your bags are under 50 pounds, or smaller than 62 inches. Otherwise, it’ll cost you $100 – $125 per bag one way.
Related: Here’s our full breakdown of the airlines with the cheapest baggage fees.
12. Buy the Southwest Airlines EarlyBird Check-In for $15 if you’re picky about seating.
Southwest doesn’t do assigned seating (for now), so if you want first dibs on seats, you’re better off buying EarlyBird Check-In for $15 – $25 one way. This ensures you’re checked in automatically 36 hours prior to your flight and gives you a better chance at getting into the A group for boarding.
13. Don’t upgrade your boarding position at the gate for $30 – $60.
If you upgrade your boarding position, you’ll get A-group boarding, but you won’t get any of the other cushy perks of Business Select, like premium Southwest drink vouchers.
Of course, you can upgrade your ticket to Business Select at the gate to get A-group boarding and the free drink, but you’ll also have to pay the difference in fare. You’re better off paying $15 – $25 for EarlyBird Check-In and buying a drink for $6 – $7.
14. Join the Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program and earn extra points when you go out to eat.
For every dollar you spend at qualifying restaurants (and there are a lot of them, both local and national chains), you’ll get three Southwest Rapid Rewards points per dollar if you sign up for email notifications or a half-point per dollar if you aren’t signed up. You can earn up to 500 bonus points in your first 30 days.
Plus, the Rapid Rewards Dining program often has bonus offers, like getting an extra 300 bonus points every time you earn 1,000 points from dining and completing reviews.
TIP: Another easy trick for earning a quick 1,000 bonus points? During tax season, file your return with Turbo Tax and use the link on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping page. In 2023, this offer opened up in mid-January and expired on Tax Day (April 18, 2023).
15. Get early family boarding automatically if you’re flying with kids 6-years-old or under.
You don’t need to worry about getting EarlyBird Check-In if you have kids 6 or under.
After the A group boards, families with children ages 6 or under will be allowed to board next, allowing you all to sit together for the ride.
16. Babies fly free with Southwest, but children over 2 won’t usually get cheaper fares.
Babies fly free with Southwest if they’re between 14 days and two-years-old and if they sit in your lap (not occupying a seat). You’ll need to verify their age at the airport with a government-issued ID.
If your baby needs a seat, Southwest even offers affordable infant fares for babies under the age of two. Just remember to compare child fares with “Wanna Get Away” prices, as those are often cheaper.
Not all Southwest flights offer special rates for accompanied children, but it’s worth checking. Find out if your flight offers a cheap child fare by calling the Southwest Customer service number: 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
17. Southwest is size-inclusive; they offer free extra seats to customers of size.
We love when companies are size-inclusive, and Southwest Airlines is no exception.
If you can't sit comfortably and safely in a single seat (because plane seats are really narrow!), then it’s easy to request a free extra seat or two on a Southwest flight. Their Customer of Size policy is one of the most generous in the industry.
There are two ways to do this:
Purchase an extra seat or two when booking your flight, then contact Southwest for a refund of those extra seat costs after traveling. This helps guarantee there will be enough seats for you, but it does cost more upfront.
Purchase your flight with only one seat, then request an extra seat or two at the gate from a Customer Service Agent. But there's no guarantee they'll have the space. This is a riskier option for popular flights, but doesn’t cost you any extra.
Their definition of a Customer of Size is someone who cannot comfortably fit between the armrests, which are generally 17 inches apart.
18. Set your alarm for 24 hours before a flight to get better seating.
But really, if you wait even two minutes after the 24-hour mark, you may end up in the dreaded inevitable middle-seat C group
19. Manage your flights and watch free movies with the Southwest app for your phone or tablet.
Cancel or change flights, access your boarding pass, view your boarding position, look up gate information, and more right from the Southwest Airlines app (iOS / Android). It’s free to download and is the easiest way to access Southwest’s free in-flight entertainment.
You’ll use the Southwest app to stream free movies, shows, and live TV, including channels like HGTV, NBC, and ESPN.
20. Save up to 10% when you buy discounted Southwest Airlines gift cards.
Sam’s Club often knocks 10% off the price of a Southwest Airlines gift card, selling a $500 eGift card for only $449.99. You can buy up to three cards at a time at Sam’s Club.
21. Follow Southwest Airlines on Facebook to stay up-to-date on their sales.
Never miss a flash sale again by following Southwest Airlines on Facebook. You’ll get a Facebook notification when they post a new sale. Way better than sifting through countless emails.
22. Check your carry-on bag at the gate if you’re boarding in a late-B or lower boarding group.
If you’re on a full flight and find yourself in a late boarding group, there’s a high chance there won’t be any more space for your carry-on bag in the overhead compartment.
Instead of discovering this only after reaching the back of the plane, hand your carry-on over at the gate before you board.
Do this, and you won’t have to worry about stowing your luggage in limited overhead bin space; park yourself in the first available seat you see!
23. Purchase extra Southwest Rapid Rewards drink coupons on eBay.
Need more in-flight drink tickets? Buy them on eBay. They cost an average of $22 for four unused tickets, while normally, drinks cost $6 – $7 each. Note that selling them is risky, as Southwest (if they find out) has the right to revoke your rewards membership.
24. Sit in rows 1, 9, or 17 to get served drinks first.
Typically flight attendants will stop and serve these rows first because they’re at the front of their respective sections.
25. Pack a snack because no hot meals or sandwiches are served on any Southwest flights.
A small package or two of peanuts and pretzels will only take you so far on a 5-hour flight.
Make sure to pack a snack or buy something at the terminal to save yourself from hunger pangs — especially when traveling with kids.
TIP: Your next trip will be easier if you follow our travel tips from an experienced flight attendant.
26. Aisle seat armrests can be lifted up for easy exiting and comfort.
This one blew my mind.
There’s a hidden latch underneath the rear of the armrest that can be pushed so the armrest will raise. This is perfect for when you need more legroom or need to get up in flight.
27. You could get free special drinks if you fly on certain holidays.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Southwest offered free drinks if you traveled on select holidays. Keep in mind, you probably won’t be able to get a cheaper flight from the Southwest Low Fare Calendar hack on a holiday. But if you’re traveling on one of these special days, you may just get a boozy freebie (let us know if you do!):
New Year’s Day
Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day
June 18 (Southwest’s birthday)
September 20 (Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card’s birthday)
Halloween
Thanksgiving
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