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Save your points: Southwest offering award discounts on select early and late flights

July 11, 2024
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3 min read
NICK EWEN/THE POINTS GUY
Save your points: Southwest offering award discounts on select early and late flights
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There's a lot to like about Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. From flexible change and cancellation policies to no blackout dates on award tickets and an array of rewarding credit cards, many travelers value the simple, flexible nature of the program — as do TPG staffers.

Now, the airline is offering an apparently new feature on select flights that can make your Rapid Rewards points go even further.

If you use your points to book select early morning flights (8 a.m. or earlier) or evening flights (7 p.m. or later), you could save 20% off the standard award rate.

We first noticed this when searching for an early 2025 flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).

Southwest award flights from Orlando to New Orleans in February 2025
SOUTHWEST.COM

Even though both the 3:20 and 7:20 p.m. departures have the same cash price ($176.98), you'll save 2,499 points by booking the evening flight through Rapid Rewards. This boosts your redemption value from 1.37 cents per point to 1.71 cents per point — well above TPG's July 2024 valuations.

This award redemption savings was also available in the other direction and across multiple dates — including high-demand travel periods like Thanksgiving and on one-stop itineraries.

Southwest award flights from New Orleans to Orlando in February 2025
Southwest award flights from Orlando to New Orleans in November 2024
One-stop Southwest award flights from Orlando to New Orleans
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SOUTHWEST.COM
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The discount applies on both Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, though not on higher-priced Anytime and Business Select tickets.

Unfortunately, these discounts seem to be available on a very limited selection of flights. We searched dozens of routes across the U.S. on various dates, and we only found them on a handful:

  • MCO to MSY and MSY to MCO
  • MCO to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and BWI to MCO
  • MCO to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and PIT to MCO
  • Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and VPS to BNA
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However, multiple other routes out of MCO, including flights to Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW), Dallas Love Field (DAL), Denver International Aiport (DEN) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri, weren't showing the discount at all.

It's unclear if the savings will become more widespread over time, but for now, it's worth checking to see if any are available that match your travel plans.

And since Southwest makes it really easy to change an award ticket when the price drops, you could potentially modify an existing trip to an early (or late) flight to enjoy a partial refund of Rapid Rewards points.

We've reached out to Southwest for more details on this offering, and we'll be sure to update this story with any additional information we receive.

Related reading:

Featured image by NICK EWEN/THE POINTS GUY
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.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.