Southwest Airlines fall sale: One-way fares starting at $59
It's been a minute since I've written about Southwest Airlines — the airline I grew up flying thanks to its hub at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). This fall, whenever I need to go home, I'll definitely be flying Southwest because of its cheap one-way ticket options.
Whether you are looking to book last-minute travel this fall or anticipate needing a post-holiday vacation, consider this timely sale from Southwest. The sale advertises one-way Wanna Get Away fares starting at $59 and Wanna Get Away Plus fares as low as $79, for travel booked by Aug. 26.
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Deal basics
Airline: Southwest Airlines.
Routes: All Southwest routes, excluding Hawaii interisland travel.
How to book: Directly through the airline sale page.
Travel dates: Sept. 6, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023, for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Not valid for holiday travel Nov. 17-29 and Dec. 15-Jan. 9.
Book by: 11:59 p.m. CDT on Aug. 26.
Travel must be booked at least 21 days in advance, for nonstop service when available, or on a single connecting service. If you use Southwest Rapid Rewards points to pay for the fare, note that the advertised fares do not include taxes and fees.
Read more: In a summer of extremely full flights I found myself on a Southwest 737 with just 9 passengers
Sample flights
If your travel dates are flexible, I would suggest first browsing Southwest's Low Fare Calendar based on your destination and desired travel month.
From there, you can quickly identify when the lowest-priced flights are available for your route. Some examples of discounted one-way flights available include:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), starting at $59.
- Midway International Airport (MDW) to Nashville International Airport (BNA), starting at $59.
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Miami International Airport (MIA), starting at $78.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Denver International Airport (DEN), starting at $78.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), starting at $78.
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) to LGA, starting at $94.
- MDW to AUS, starting at $94.
- LGA to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), starting at $106.
Although this sale says it's for one-way flights, you can search as you normally would for round-trip flights by using the Low Fare Calendar, and you'll still likely find the same-priced flight each way. For example, you could stack two one-way flights to make a round trip from Los Angeles to Denver in October; there are several flights for $78 throughout the month on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as shown below.
From there, select the travel dates that work best for you and be sure to pick the cheapest fare type. In this case, it's the Wanna Get Away fare for $78 each way. Or, you could pay $20 to upgrade to the Wanna Get Away Plus fare.
Related: Southwest Airlines flight credits will no longer expire, an industry 1st
Once you select your flights, double-check that the round-trip flight reflects two one-way fares for $78 each.
In this case, the round-trip flight will be $156, which includes $38 in taxes and fees.
Note that this same flight would cost 9,788 Rapid Rewards points plus $11.20 in taxes and fees. Based on TPG's current valuation of Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents per point, using points, in this case, would yield minimal savings. Therefore, I would recommend taking advantage of this sale and paying the cash fare. Save your points for a redemption opportunity that would allow you to save more money.
As mentioned, this sale is for both Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fare types, which are the carrier's two cheapest fare types. The fares are similar, but Wanna Get Away Plus offers travelers a higher earnings rate (8 points per dollar) and allows for same-day flight changes. All Southwest fares include two free checked bags and two free carry-on items.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases. Southwest frequent flyers should consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card (both earn 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases) or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card (2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases). Or try The Platinum Card® from American Express (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) or the Citi Prestige® Card (5 points per dollar on airfare). Check out this post for more ways to maximize airfare purchases.
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
Although this deal requires some searching, you can find low-priced flights starting at $59 for select Southwest routes. Rates apply for travel through mid-February. Unlike most deals, you have the luxury of time with this one, since travel can be booked through Aug. 26. Even so, these well-priced flights likely won't last, so be sure to book sooner rather than later.
Read more: How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
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