Save your points: Southwest offering award discounts on select early and late flights
There's a lot to like about Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. From flexible change and cancellation policies to no blackout dates on award tickets and an array of rewarding credit cards, many travelers value the simple, flexible nature of the program — as do TPG staffers.
Now, the airline is offering an apparently new feature on select flights that can make your Rapid Rewards points go even further.
If you use your points to book select early morning flights (8 a.m. or earlier) or evening flights (7 p.m. or later), you could save 20% off the standard award rate.
We first noticed this when searching for an early 2025 flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
Even though both the 3:20 and 7:20 p.m. departures have the same cash price ($176.98), you'll save 2,499 points by booking the evening flight through Rapid Rewards. This boosts your redemption value from 1.37 cents per point to 1.71 cents per point — well above TPG's July 2024 valuations.
This award redemption savings was also available in the other direction and across multiple dates — including high-demand travel periods like Thanksgiving and on one-stop itineraries.
The discount applies on both Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, though not on higher-priced Anytime and Business Select tickets.
Unfortunately, these discounts seem to be available on a very limited selection of flights. We searched dozens of routes across the U.S. on various dates, and we only found them on a handful:
- MCO to MSY and MSY to MCO
- MCO to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and BWI to MCO
- MCO to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and PIT to MCO
- Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and VPS to BNA
However, multiple other routes out of MCO, including flights to Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW), Dallas Love Field (DAL), Denver International Aiport (DEN) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri, weren't showing the discount at all.
It's unclear if the savings will become more widespread over time, but for now, it's worth checking to see if any are available that match your travel plans.
And since Southwest makes it really easy to change an award ticket when the price drops, you could potentially modify an existing trip to an early (or late) flight to enjoy a partial refund of Rapid Rewards points.
We've reached out to Southwest for more details on this offering, and we'll be sure to update this story with any additional information we receive.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express 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.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees