'Luv' is in the air: Score a free drink if you're flying Southwest Airlines this Valentine's Day
They say nothing in life is free. But if you find yourself on a Southwest Airlines flight this Valentine's Day, you can prove them (who are "they" anyway?) wrong — while sipping a free premium beverage.
Southwest is sharing the love by giving passengers over 21 years of age a free drink on Valentine's Day, saving travelers between $7 and $9 (the regular price for an alcoholic drink on a Southwest flight). The airline is also celebrating with the addition of several romantic movies to its inflight entertainment lineup, including "You've Got Mail," "Pretty Woman," and "The Princess Bride."
Nonalcoholic drinks like soda, coffee, water and juice are always free when you fly Southwest, as are your first two checked bags. (Southwest is making changes to its seating and boarding process next year, but it has already assured travelers that their first two checked bags will continue to fly free.)
Related: Southwest baggage tracking tool is officially launched in the app
If Cupid's arrow misses you on Valentine's Day, you'll be happy to hear there are several other days throughout the year when Southwest offers travelers a free drink:
- St. Patrick's Day: March 17
- Southwest's birthday: June 18
- Halloween: Oct. 31
If you don't want to wait for a major holiday to score a free drink from Southwest, there are two ways to get a free drink from the airline any time you fly.
Southwest A-List Preferred elite status members get up to two free premium drinks on flights of 176 miles or more, as well as a 100% bonus on Southwest Rapid Rewards points earned from paid flights, priority boarding, free same-day standby and same-day changes (taxes and fees may apply), and complimentary inflight Wi-Fi.
To earn A-List Preferred status, you must fly 40 qualifying one-way Southwest flights or earn 70,000 tier-qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. None of Southwest's credit cards come with automatic elite status, but you can earn tier-qualifying points by hitting a minimum annual spend amount that can get you there faster.
Related: 12 easy ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points
When you purchase a Business Select ticket, the airline's highest fare class, you also get one free alcoholic drink. Business Select tickets are fully refundable and include higher points earnings (12 points per dollar), priority boarding and free Wi-Fi.
Whether you earn your free drink through elite status, purchasing a Business Select fare or flying on Valentine's Day, you can get a little extra "luv" from Southwest.
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