Southwest Airlines announces second airline partner, 3 more international gateways
Southwest Airlines is closing in on its second partnership with an international airline.
Southwest on Monday said it is currently “in discussions” to launch an interline agreement next year with China Airlines, based in Taiwan.
As part of the agreement, Southwest customers would eventually be able to book China Airlines-operated flights to Taipei through its website and mobile app. Eventually, it’s possible that Rapid Rewards members would be able to redeem points on transpacific flights to Taiwan.
The news of the potential Southwest-China Airlines tie-up came nearly four months after Southwest launched its first international partnership, with Icelandair.
Today, customers can use Icelandair’s website or third-party tools like Expedia to book Southwest-Icelandair itineraries to Reykjavik (and even on to Europe). Expect that partnership to expand in the not-too-distant future, including with reservations available via Southwest’s booking channels and Rapid Rewards redemptions.
It’s safe to bet that Southwest has similar hopes for a future China Airlines tie-up, which would offer the airline its first link, of sorts, over the Pacific Ocean.
“This initial work to partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines would allow for seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network, furthering the reach of our Vision and Purpose—to connect People with important moments in their lives,” Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson said in a statement Monday.
Expanding its global reach
Last fall, when Southwest announced sweeping changes to its business model, the airline revealed it hoped to add multiple international airline partners, in hopes of offering Rapid Rewards members more redemption options.
Today, the airline operates domestic flights and short-haul international flights to places like Mexico and the Caribbean. Linking up with Icelandair and China Airlines expands the Southwest “map,” so to speak.
China Airlines, for its part, flies from Taipei to five U.S. airports:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Ontario International Airport (ONT) in Southern California
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The carrier flies between Taiwan and the U.S. with increasingly stiff competition, due to growing networks from Taiwan-based competitors Starlux Airlines and EVA Air.
Executives from the two airlines met this week to hash out the details of the new partnership at the International Air Transport Association’s General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in India, a major annual industry gathering.
Southwest executives had told TPG in January they hoped to reveal a second international partner before the end of 2025 — a plan that seemed to come true Monday.
Southwest adds 3 new international gateways
One other bit of news Monday: Southwest said it plans to expand its Icelandair partnership to three new U.S. airports next month.
Starting July 14, customers will be able to book Southwest-Icelandair connections through:
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
That’s in addition to the three gateways the two airlines launched earlier this year: Denver International Airport (DEN), Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Again, it’s a limited tie-up for now, with no Rapid Rewards earnings or redemptions available. For now, you also can’t book any Icelandair flights through Southwest’s own website — only through Icelandair’s channels or Expedia, Booking.com and the like.
But Southwest has said it hopes to expand the partnership and booking options to its own channels in the near future — around the same time it puts assigned seats on sale for the first time, which is expected to happen sometime between July and September.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
- 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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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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- 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.
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- 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. |
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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.