Southwest has flight deals starting at $49 for Halloween
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Halloween is next week, and Southwest Airlines is celebrating with a Monster Sale: Travelers can book one-way flights starting at just $49, no costume required.
Book your travel by Thursday, Oct. 25, for flights occurring between Nov. 29 and March 8, 2023; there is no promo code to enter.
Based on a test search conducted for this story, most of the sale fares cost more than the advertised price of $49 each way, depending on the route.
Deal basics
Airline: Southwest Airlines.
Routes: Within the U.S and some international routes.
How to book: Directly through the airline's sale page.
Travel dates: Nov. 29, 2022—March 8, 2023, with travel blacked out Dec. 16, 2022, to Jan. 9, 2023.
Book by: 11:59 p.m. CDT on Oct. 27.
This deal includes nonstop flights, based on availability on specific dates and markets.
Monster Sale flights are available to and from select continental U.S. and international destinations, starting at just $49 one-way and going up from there. Some of the lowest-priced fares include:
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Nashville International Airport (BNA), starting at $49.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), starting at $49.
- AUS to Tulsa International Airport (TUL), starting at $60.
- AUS to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), starting at $71.
- MDW to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), starting at $76.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), starting at $76.
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), starting at $98.
- ORD and MDW to Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), starting at $101.
- DCA to Southwest Florida International Airport(RSW), starting at $102.
- LGA to MDW and DCA to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)/BNA, starting at $110.
- LGA to DCA and Dulles International Airport (IAD), starting at $118.
- AUS to MDW and ORD, starting at $133.
To view the other routes included in this sale, you can search for low fares from a specific departure airport. Below are flights specifically from MDW.
Once you select a route, view the low fare calendar to choose your dates based on availability with the lowest fare. Although this sale advertises deals on one-way fares, you could book two one-way fares for the same price to make a round trip.
For example, you could book a round-trip journey between MDW and BNA for $97 for mid-January. Once you hit search, be sure to filter results by "nonstop" and select the $49 flights from there.
Related: Southwest announces Companion Pass, Rapid Rewards changes for 2023
Note that the sale fares are for Southwest's Wanna Get Away fare, which is nonrefundable; however, you can cancel or change the flight for free in exchange for a flight credit. All Southwest fare types, including this one, allow passengers two free checked bags and two free carry-in items.
Flights across the entire Southwest network are included as part of this deal, so be sure to search for flights from your departure airport of choice.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, don’t forget to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases. Southwest frequent fliers should consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card to earn 3 points per dollar on Southwest® purchases. Otherwise, try the Citi Premier® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on airfare or the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel. Alternatively, you could use the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card which earns 2 points per dollar on travel. See this post for more ways to maximize airfare purchases.
Bottom line
Book this deal by end of the day on Oct. 27, or be prepared to be ghosted by this Halloween sale until next year.
Happy Halloween flight hunting!
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