Here's How You Can Take Advantage of Southwest Airlines' Newest Perk

Many travelers like to redeem credit card and frequent flyer rewards for award flights to make future vacations more affordable. But sometimes, they may not have enough rewards in their accounts to make a flight redemption. Southwest Airlines recently started rolling out its Cash + Points option for Rapid Rewards members. 

With this new offering, you can book a Southwest award flight using a combination of Rapid Rewards points and another payment method. Previously, travelers had to wait until they had enough points to redeem or use a payment method, such as flight credit or a credit card. 

Introducing Cash + Points redemptions

On April 22, 2024, Southwest Airlines introduced Cash + Points redemptions. With this new feature, Rapid Rewards members can now book flights using a combination of points and another payment method. 

You must be logged into your Rapid Rewards account to use this feature. Members can redeem as few as 1,000 points. This feature will appear when searching for cash flights. On the payment screen, eligible travelers will be shown several Cash + Points combination options, and they can choose the redemption that works best for them. 

According to Southwest, some members may not see this redemption option during the first 10 days of the launch while it's been rolled out. So don't worry if you're still waiting to see this option. 

If you cancel a flight booked with the new program, your points will be returned to your Rapid Rewards account. Any unused taxes and fees will be refunded to your payment method or given to you as a flight credit, which can be used for future bookings. 

If you're wondering whether this new redemption feature offers good value for Rapid Rewards members, note that there is no set redemption value. Instead, redemption options vary; factors like the destination, travel date and time, fare type, and demand can impact the points required for a flight. 

Before making a Cash + Points redemption, consider whether it's best to redeem now or hold off until you earn more points and can pay for the entire transaction with points. It may be best for some travelers to hold off until they earn more points to get the best deal. 

Southwest points don't expire, so as long as your account remains active, you can hold onto your points and use them later. 

How to use Cash + Points to book a flight 

If you're interested in using this new feature, these are the steps you'll need to take: 

1. Login to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account.
2. Search for a flight and choose the option to display cash prices. 
3. Choose your preferred flights and confirm the details of your itinerary. 
4. You'll be shown available Cash + Points options on the payment screen.
5. Choose the combination of cash and points that works for you and confirm payment. 

How to earn more rewards when you book Southwest flights

Being a Rapid Rewards member is an excellent way to earn rewards when you fly. But Southwest loyalists can also apply for one of the best Southwest credit cards to boost their rewards. With a Southwest credit card in your wallet, you can earn rewards when you book flights and make other purchases with your card. Plus, you can get value from the included credit card benefits. If you like to travel, consider using an airline card like this or a general travel credit card.