Southwest Airlines tweaks rules on cash + points redemptions — and it's good news
Southwest Airlines is tweaking its Rapid Rewards program for 2025, making it easier for customers to earn points and work their way toward A-List elite status.
Specifically, the Dallas-based carrier is adjusting its cash + points redemption setup that debuted this past spring.
Starting with flights flown on Jan. 1, 2025, customers will be able to earn Rapid Rewards points for the paid portion of their joint cash-and-points bookings.
Going forward, the cash portion of those bookings will also earn tier qualifying points toward A-List and A-List Preferred elite status, as well as qualifying credit toward Southwest's much-coveted Companion Pass.
The changes will apply to flights completed from 4 a.m. EST on Jan. 1, 2025, and beyond.
Earning on Southwest cash + points redemptions
It's a small but customer-friendly adjustment for Southwest that comes months after the carrier first started allowing cash + points redemptions. That update allows customers without enough points for a full redemption to still cover a portion of their flight with points while paying out of pocket with cash for the rest.
Currently, Southwest does not allow travelers to earn any points or elite-qualifying credit on the paid portion of those tickets — meaning, with these bookings, you get hit with the downside of an award redemption (not earning points or elite credit) without the upside of earning on the cash you spend.
That's now set to improve for Southwest customers when the calendar flips to the new year, and members will be able to accrue earnings on the paid base fare portion of these tickets.
Bottom line
This Rapid Rewards program tweak comes at a time of massive changes at Southwest. The airline recently laid out the nuts and bolts of its plan to ditch its longstanding open seating policy and introduce its first-ever extra legroom seats.
However, the carrier has, so far, revealed few changes to its loyalty program for 2025. We expect to see a bigger overhaul to hit the program closer to 2026, when Southwest plans to officially roll out its seating (and boarding process) changes.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
- The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- What is Southwest Airlines elite status worth?
- 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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