Southwest 2023 Travel Sale: Flights as low as $59 for specific routes
Editor's Note
As Southwest continues to recover from its holiday meltdown, the airline extended its 2023 Travel Sale, offering one-way fares starting at $59. This might be the first of many sales we see this year from Southwest.
Sale fares must be booked by the end of the day Thursday, for midweek travel to most destinations through May 17.
Deal basics
Airline: Southwest Airlines.
Routes: Across the Southwest network.
How to book: Directly through the airline’s sale page.
Travel dates: Feb. 7 through May 17; exact availability depends on the route, and certain blackout dates apply.
Book by: Jan. 19 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
All routes require a 21-day advance purchase, and travel is valid Tuesday and Wednesday for travel from the continental U.S. to/from Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Sale fares are for one-way Wanna Get Away fares. The fares are nonrefundable, but you may receive credit toward future travel if you cancel at least 10 minutes before scheduled departure.
Review additional terms and conditions of the sale here.
Read more: Southwest Airlines customer service woes: From refund frustrations to missing bags
Sample flights
To find sale flights, search your desired flight route via Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar, which will populate the lowest-priced flights of the month, or search flights from a specific city.
Based on a test search conducted for this story, the below one-way routes were available, as priced, at the time of publication:
- Midway International Airport (MDW) to Nashville International Airport (BNA), starting at $59.
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY); Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD); and Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), starting at $76.
- DFW to Denver International Airport (DEN), starting at $78.
- MDW to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), starting at $83.
- DCA to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), starting at $96.
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), starting at $99.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases. Southwest loyalists should consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card for 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card for 2 points on Southwest purchases or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card for 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. Or try the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to earn 2 points per dollar on travel.
See this post for more on maximizing Southwest airfare purchases.
Bottom line
Although this sale is advertised for one-way fares, you can find and stack two one-way fares at the same price to make a round trip.
Be sure to book your flights by the end of the day Thursday.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees