Southwest looking for new loyalty opportunities and a return to international flying
If it was not already obvious, today’s Southwest Airlines is not your parents’ Southwest.
Just days after CEO Bob Jordan spoke of the potential for long-haul international destinations — think Europe, not Kansas — the airline made its first showing at the annual meeting of the global aviation trade group International Air Transport Association in New Delhi. The meeting is a who’s who of senior aviation leadership where deals get done.
Steven Swan, the managing director of international at Southwest, acknowledged this during a sit-down in New Delhi.
“It’s a big change for us," he said.
Southwest first flew outside the U.S. in 2014 — AirTran Airways operated international flights as a Southwest subsidiary prior to that — schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows. But ever since then, the airline has been better known for its domestic breadth than foreign reach.
“We understand our customers want to go places outside of the country as well, and we want to be able to provide them with that opportunity,” said Swan.
Just showing up in New Delhi is a symbol, at least to the airline industry, of Southwest’s internationalization.
And the possibility of long-haul flights comes during a period of dramatic change for the airline. Bags stopped flying free last week. Extra-legroom seats go on sale in October. And open seating ends early next year. And then there’s the possibility of Southwest lounges, or even first class, in the future.
New destinations abroad are coming
Southwest has not added a new international destination since Cozumel International Airport (CZM) in 2020, Cirium schedules show. That’s not to say it has not grown; the airline added 17 new U.S. destinations ranging from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) near Steamboat Springs in the Colorado mountains during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Domestic growth has slowed dramatically — the airline exited four cities, including Cozumel, in 2024 — and Southwest is “transitioning back,” as Swan put it, to expanding its international map.
Swan was diplomatic on where the carrier could go, paraphrasing former CEO Gary Kelly’s oft-repeated line about Southwest having 50 or so international destinations it could serve.
He did say that Southwest’s next few international additions would follow the pattern of the cities it already serves. That is: leisure-heavy destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America that cater to American tourists.
After those cities come online, however, the sky is the limit — or at least the range of one of Southwest’s Boeing 737 MAX planes.
“We believe its first forays into long-haul international service could involve connecting into Reykjavík, which is in range for its [737] MAX 8s,” wrote Tom Fitzgerald, an airline analyst at TD Cowen, in a report May 31. He cited Southwest’s existing partnership with Icelandair and noted that the European service could “drive co-brand credit card spending by Rapid Rewards members.”
Asked to comment on Fitzgerald’s report, Swan said, “Anything that is within the MAX range is appealing to us to add to the network.”
He added that Icelandair, which Southwest began connecting with at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in January, does a “fantastic job.”
Rapid Rewards partnerships are in the works
One big piece missing from Southwest’s Icelandair partnership is loyalty. Currently, it only connects travelers and checked bags with the European carrier’s flights at six U.S. airports.
Adding Rapid Rewards points accrual and redemption, and maybe even loyalty benefits, has the potential to make any international tie-up much richer for both Southwest and its partner.
Southwest is working toward providing customers “the capability to use their Rapid Reward points to travel wherever they want to go — if that’s in Asia, or that’s in Europe, or that’s in Africa,” said Swan.
The IT systems needed to power loyalty tie-ups, codeshares or more are, as with so many things technology at Southwest, in the works, he explained.
In the meantime, travelers can look forward to China Airlines joining Icelandair as a Southwest partner in 2026. The tie-up with the Taiwanese carrier will look much the same: Travelers can book flights on both airlines across a single itinerary and the airlines will transfer checked bags. Loyalty benefits and anything else are to come.
Related reading:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: Guide to earning and redeeming points, elite status and more
- The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
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Intro offer
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Recommended Credit
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
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- 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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.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.