Skip to content
Go to Home Page
Deals

Deal alert: Southwest Airlines is offering 40% off fall fares for 3 days only

Melissa Klurman
Melissa Klurman
Contributor
Melissa Klurman is a freelance travel reporter. Combining her journalism background with her love of exploring, Melissa turned her passion for travel into a profession, venturing everywhere from the Arctic to Zimbabwe in search of stories. She has worked as an editor at both Frommer's and Fodor's travel guides, editor at large for Bonnier's Travel Group (Islands/CTL/Saveur) and was a media spokesperson for both Fodor's and Travelocity. At Fodor's she created the first Southern Africa and African Safari guidebooks, which in turn has led to more than a dozen trips to southern and eastern Africa, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and a comically unfortunate horseback ride in the Kalahari Desert.
June 07, 2022
•
3 min read
Palm tree on a beach in Belize
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

If you've been feeling the squeeze of summer's skyrocketing airfares, Southwest Airlines has some good news to share. For three days, starting Tuesday and ending Thursday, you can save 40% off qualifying base fares for late summer and fall travel by using the promotion code Fall40.

Although this is touted as a fall sale, travel dates start Aug. 16, so you'll be able to take advantage of these discounted prices for a late summer getaway, too. This applies to travel up until almost Thanksgiving, as the last date for travel is Nov. 5.

Sale fares are available across all classes of Southwest fares: Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus, the newest category.

Related: What is Southwest Airlines elite status worth in 2022?

A few notes before you start clicking: We did notice that this promotion works best with domestic flights. As with any discounted fare, don't wait too long before you book, as availability for popular routes out of major cities will go fast.

Deal basics

Airline: Southwest Airlines.
Routes: Select continental U.S destinations; continental U.S. to/from Hawaii and San Juan, Puerto Rico; and international flights.
How to book: Directly through the airline at the Southwest website, between June 7 and June 9.
Travel dates: Aug. 16 through Nov. 5.
Book by: 11:59 p.m. CT on June 9.

Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards

Sample flights

Although not every routing we tried worked, this trip to Fort Myers, Florida, from New York City hit the sweet spot for the Fall40 savings. Fares come in at just $72 each way.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
(Screenshot from southwest.com)

In September, a flight from Houston to Los Angeles features Wanna Get Away fares from just $105 each way.

(Screenshot from southwest.com)

In October, we found a quick trip to Puerto Rico from Fort Lauderdale for a low of $84 each way.

(Screenshot from southwest.com)

Maximize your purchase

Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Since this summer travel season has seen ever-rising airfare, a fall plan might be easier on the wallet. Shift travel plans to late August through November, and you could save hundreds with Southwest's 40% off sale.

Featured image by ONNE VAN DER WAI/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.