Deal alert: Book your fall getaway with Southwest from $39 or 2,240 points
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you've been holding off on making fall travel plans, but are ready to book now, you're in luck. Southwest is back with another sale, this time with discounted fares across its network.
Now through Sept. 27, Southwest is offering discounted Wanna Get Away fares for travel throughout the fall. Although Southwest is advertising fares from $59 one-way, the TPG team was able to find fares as low as $39 each way. Alternatively, you could book your flight from 2,240 points (worth $33.60 based on TPG valuations).
The discounted fares are available for travel from Oct. 4 to Dec. 15, with a few blackout dates around Thanksgiving. The sales rules also state that a 21-day advance purchase is required, though based on our searches, it appears that discounted fares are being offered closer in as well.
You won't see the lowest advertised fares every day of the week so you'll want to use Southwest's handy low-fare calendar button to search by cheapest price. Keep in mind that although Wanna Get Away is Southwest's lowest fare type, these tickets still allow two free checked bags and fee-free changes. Also, although Southwest's latest Companion Pass fast-track opportunity has ended, you can still register to earn double tier-qualifying points on flights through November.
The deal
Airline: Southwest.
Routes: Continental U.S., continental U.S. to/from Hawaii, interisland Hawaii and international travel.
Cost: $39 or 2,240 Southwest points plus $5.60 in taxes and fees one-way.
Dates: Book by Sept. 27 for travel between Oct. 4 and Dec. 15 (blackout dates apply).
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel).
Sample itineraries
Below are a few examples of what you can book. As a general rule of thumb, the shorter the distance, the lower the fare.
Honolulu (HNL) to Maui (OGG) for $39 one-way
Honolulu (HNL) to Maui (OGG) for 2,240 points plus $5.60 one-way
Los Angeles (LAX) to Phoenix (PHX) for $49 one-way
Los Angeles (LAX) to Phoenix (PHX) for 2,671 points plus $5.60 one-way
Denver (DEN) to Long Beach, California (LGB), for $49 one-way
Baltimore (BWI) to Cincinnati (CVG) for $59 one-way
Houston (HOU) to Corpus Christi, Texas (CRP), for $59 one-way
How to book
Unfortunately, Google Flights doesn't show prices for Southwest flights. So, your best bet would be to search and book directly through Southwest's website. Plug in your desired departure and destination cities and use the low-fare calendar to find the cheapest dates.
Related: Why I'll never book Southwest flights with Chase points the same way again
Maximize your purchase
Don't forget to use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel), American Express Gold Card (3x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel), Citi Premier Card (see rates and fees) (3x on air travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel purchases). Check out this guide for more on maximizing airfare purchases.