Southwest Airlines promotion: Earn double the points on summer flights from $49 one-way
Editor's Note
Editor's note: At TPG, we paused traveling to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Local and federal governments around the globe are now debating the appropriate levels of isolation and distancing. Before booking that next trip, we recommend you talk to your doctor, follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions. TPG is continuing to publish deals, reviews and general travel news to inform and prepare you for that trip, whether it is next month or next year.
Southwest Airlines has launched a new promotion where it will award summer travelers twice the Rapid Rewards per flight booked now through Aug. 31, 2020. The best part? Fares start at a low of $49 one-way.
Here's a look at some of the deals:
Denver (DEN) to Salt Lake City (SLC) for $49 one-way:
Boise (BOI) to Sacramento (SMF) for $49 one-way:
Atlanta (ATL) to Tampa (TPA) for $49 one-way:
Albuquerque (ABQ) to Phoenix (PHX) for $49 one-way:
Rapid Rewards-earned points are calculated using base fare, so members will earn the following:
- 12 bonus points per dollar spent on Business Select® fares
- 10 bonus points per dollar spent on Anytime fares
- 6 bonus points per dollar spent on Wanna Get Away® fares
Bonus points are in addition to the standard flight points earned through Rapid Rewards, but they will not count toward A-List, A-List Preferred or Companion Pass qualification. However, the double earning is unlimited in this promotion.
You can register for this promotion on Southwest's website now through Aug. 31.
Related: Airline social distancing policies
If you're not sure you'll feel comfortable enough to fly again this summer, you can book with confidence knowing that Southwest has always had a flexible change and cancellation policy. You can easily delay your trip at no extra cost beyond the ticket price or cancel it altogether and use the funds towards a future trip. If anything, booking a potential summer trip is something positive to look forward to amidst all this uncertainty.
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Should you take advantage of this promotion?
If you're already planning to book post-coronavirus travel with Southwest, you should definitely register for this promotion. TPG values Southwest miles at 1.5 cents per point, so you'll earn $7 worth of miles per one-way flight and $14 per round-trip flight.
On the other hand, we don't recommend booking travel now just to earn bonus miles. While you can always cancel and change Southwest flights fee-free, the airline isn't offering cash refunds on these tickets. Canceling a ticket will only result in future flight credit.
Related: Airline coronavirus change and cancellation policies: A complete list
Keep in mind that holding this flight credit can be risky even if you're a Southwest loyalist. Like much of the travel industry, Southwest isn't in the best financial position right now. It has been forced to slash capacity and request a government bailout in response to the coronavirus-fueled travel downturn. If the airline went belly-up, you could be left with worthless travel credit and no way to get a refund.
Further, we're still not sure when it will be safe to travel again. If the coronavirus outbreak isn't contained quickly, you could be stuck with this credit for a long time.
Related: Maximizing redemptions with Southwest Rapid Rewards
Bottom line
It's nice to see Southwest offer bonus points for booking future travel. The summer still may be too soon to fly, but things are changing on a daily basis, so we'll have to wait and see.
Related: Now may be the time to book future travel
We don't recommend booking travel now solely to earn bonus miles. If earning miles is your goal, check out our complete guide to earning Southwest Rapid Rewards for less risky ways to do it.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual 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
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees