Score Southwest Points at Half Price!

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards is at it again, whipping out their latest promotion with a deal that’s got a bit of buzz—purchasing points at a nifty slash in price. Buying points can sometimes be a strategic move, but seeing a revenue-based airline like Southwest doing this is always a curious little twist. Stick with me, and I’ll explain why you might want to fly right over this offer, even though it matches some of the best promos we’ve seen from them.

Southwest Rapid Rewards: Points on Sale

From now until August 20, 2025, Southwest is cutting the price of their Rapid Rewards points by up to half. Simple, right? You snag a nifty 50% discount as long as you load up on at least 5,000 points in a single swoop. Just be sure to peek at your account since offers might vary. But remember, just because it’s there, doesn’t mean you need to grab it.

At most, you can stock up on 60,000 Rapid Rewards points per day. But here’s the kicker: Southwest hits you with a regular price of 3.0 cents per point. With the half-price deal, 60,000 points set you back $900, landing each point at 1.5 cents.

The Real Value of Southwest Points

Southwest Rapid Rewards plays the revenue-based game, meaning points needed for a flight are linked to the cash cost of said flight. Recently, points were pegged at about 1.2 cents each for tickets. But alas, dynamic award pricing is here, causing values to dance between 1.1 and over 1.5 cents per point. Buying points at 1.5 cents when redemption yields barely more? It’s a tough sell.

Should You Buy Southwest Airlines Points?

In a world where most purchases make sense, this isn’t the case. Even with the discount, snapping up points for 1.5 cents each only to see them redeem for less doesn’t really fly. There are a handful of scenarios, and I’ll spotlight the top reasons for pondering the purchase (though I’d still be cautious). Building a stash of Southwest points does offer a certain level of flexibility, albeit at a cost.

Top-Off Points for an Award Ticket

Sure, maybe you’re a few points shy of scoring an award ticket. Topping off might be tempting if you need that one last push. Yet, my advice? Be patient, save up naturally, and redeem for a full ticket when you’re ready.

Points for Southwest Companion Pass Enthusiasts

The Southwest Companion Pass is a game-changer in domestic travel, letting a buddy tag along just for taxes. Hit 135,000 qualifying points in a year and you’re in. The argument goes you could buy points cheap, redeem them for flights, and let your companion fly free, squeezing out 2.2-3.0 cents per point in perceived value. Reality check: You’re still better off with cash tickets and using the pass that way.

The Value of Having Points Stashed

There’s notable wisdom in having a reservoir of Rapid Rewards points. Southwest doesn’t slap change fees on tickets, revenue, or awards. Cancel a cash ticket and it’s travel credit only, but cancel an award? Points bounce back for anyone’s use later on, minus any hassle. For me, having points for spontaneous plans—like a trip to Val Seny ski resort—is golden.

Best Credit Cards for Buying Southwest Points

Should you feel the urge to buy Southwest points, remember: these deals are processed through points.com, not recognized as an airfare charge by your credit card. Pick a card where you’re aiming to reach a spending target, or one that maximizes everyday rewards. Think Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash Card for just that purpose.

Other Rapid Rewards Earning Methods

Want to up your Rapid Rewards game without cracking open the wallet for point purchases? Consider other avenues:

• Transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards with a 1:1 exchange
• Utilize Southwest-branded Chase cards that dish out attractive bonuses

The Bottom Line

Southwest dangles the carrot with up to a 50% cut on Rapid Rewards points, pricing them at 1.5 cents each. However, the stars often don’t align in a way that makes buying logical, given revenue-based redemption rates don’t climb higher than 1.5 cents per point. So, unless you’ve figured out an ingenious angle, you might want to pass on this pass.

So, what do you think—when is it sensible to buy Southwest Airlines points?