'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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The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month