Southwest’s 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options

Post Published July 2, 2024

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Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Breaking down the value of 85,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points





Southwest’s 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options

As of July 2024, Southwest's 85,000 Rapid Rewards points offer presents a compelling opportunity for frequent flyers.

These points can be stretched to cover multiple domestic round-trips or significantly reduce the cost of international travel, depending on the chosen redemption options.

While the value fluctuates based on specific bookings, savvy travelers can potentially extract over $1,200 worth of flights, hotels, or other travel experiences from this bonus, making it an attractive proposition for those planning extensive travel in the coming months.

Southwest Rapid Rewards points have a unique valuation structure, with an average redemption value of 52 cents per point, which is higher than many other airline loyalty programs.

The 85,000 bonus points offer requires a significant spending threshold of $20,000 within 12 months, which may be challenging for some cardholders to achieve.

Surprisingly, the value of Southwest points can fluctuate based on the fare type chosen, with "Wanna Get Away" fares often providing slightly better value at 36 cents per point compared to 33 cents for "Business Select" fares.

The Southwest More Rewards program allows for non-flight redemptions, but these options typically offer lower value per point compared to flight bookings.

While the 85,000 points bonus is substantial, it's worth noting that Southwest doesn't have a traditional first-class cabin, potentially limiting the luxury travel options for high-value redemptions.

The Companion Pass, one of Southwest's most coveted benefits, requires 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, meaning this bonus alone isn't sufficient to earn it.

What else is in this post?

  1. Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Breaking down the value of 85,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points
  2. Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Strategies to maximize point redemptions on Southwest flights
  3. Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Using bonus points to fast-track Southwest Companion Pass
  4. Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Comparing Southwest's offer to other airline credit card bonuses
  5. Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Best Southwest routes to book with 85,000 bonus points

Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Strategies to maximize point redemptions on Southwest flights





Maximizing point redemptions on Southwest flights requires a strategic approach.

Savvy travelers can leverage the airline's fare flexibility and lack of blackout dates to stretch their points further.

One effective strategy is to book during off-peak times or take advantage of Southwest's periodic sales, which can significantly reduce the number of points needed for a flight.

Additionally, utilizing the airline's unique change and cancellation policies allows for rebooking at lower rates if prices drop after initial reservation, potentially saving thousands of points on a single trip.

Southwest's "Anytime" fares often provide the best value when redeeming Rapid Rewards points, offering up to 5 cents per point compared to the average 3 cents for "Wanna Get Away" fares.

Booking flights during Southwest's periodic point sales can increase redemption value by up to 40%, with some routes offering as low as 3,000 points for one-way trips.

Utilizing the Southwest Low Fare Calendar tool can help identify dates with the lowest point requirements, potentially saving up to 10,000 points on round-trip bookings.

Rapid Rewards points redeemed for international flights to destinations like Aruba or Cancun often yield higher values, sometimes exceeding 2 cents per point.

Southwest's unique policy of no change fees applies to award bookings as well, allowing travelers to rebook if point prices drop without penalty, maximizing point value.

Booking Southwest flights with points 21 days in advance can result in savings of up to 30% compared to last-minute bookings, due to the airline's dynamic pricing model.


Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Using bonus points to fast-track Southwest Companion Pass





Southwest’s 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options

Southwest's Companion Pass remains one of the most valuable perks in the airline industry, and the current 85,000 bonus points offer presents an excellent opportunity to fast-track its acquisition.

By strategically combining credit card sign-up bonuses and regular spending, travelers can significantly reduce the 135,000 qualifying points needed for the pass.

The Companion Pass's ability to effectively double the value of your Southwest points makes it an incredibly attractive proposition for frequent flyers and couples alike.

The 85,000 bonus points offer can cover up to 63% of the required 135,000 qualifying points for the Companion Pass, significantly accelerating the earning process.

Rapid Rewards credit card holders receive a 10,000 point boost annually, effectively reducing the Companion Pass requirement to 125,000 points - a fact often overlooked by new members.

Points earned from Southwest's dining program and shopping portal count towards Companion Pass qualification, providing additional avenues for rapid point accumulation.

The Companion Pass, once earned, is valid for the remainder of the current calendar year plus the entire following year, potentially offering up to 24 months of benefits if timed correctly.

Southwest allows Companion Pass holders to change their designated companion up to three times per calendar year, offering flexibility not commonly found in other airline companion programs.

While most airline loyalty programs exclude taxes and fees from companion tickets, Southwest's program only requires payment of the September 11th Security Fee, typically $60 each way for domestic flights.

The Companion Pass can be used on both paid and award flights, effectively doubling the value of your Rapid Rewards points on every booking where it's utilized.

Unlike many airline loyalty programs, Southwest's Companion Pass has no blackout dates or seat restrictions, allowing use on any available flight - even during peak travel periods.


Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Comparing Southwest's offer to other airline credit card bonuses





As of July 2024, Southwest's credit card offers continue to stand out in the airline rewards landscape.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card emerges as a top choice, providing valuable perks like anniversary bonus points, upgraded boardings, and an annual travel credit, making it an attractive option for frequent Southwest flyers.

While the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card offers a generous 80,000-point welcome bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card remains a more budget-friendly alternative with a lower annual fee.

Across the board, Southwest's credit card lineup offers compelling sign-up bonuses and ongoing rewards, allowing savvy travelers to maximize their point earnings and redemptions.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 1,500 "tier qualifying points" (TQPs) for every $10,000 spent, up to 100,000 TQPs annually, providing a path to elite status.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card has a higher annual fee of $199 but offers valuable benefits like 6,000 anniversary points and four upgraded boardings per year.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card has a welcome bonus of 80,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $5,000 within three months, making it an attractive option for small business owners.

Compared to other Southwest credit cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is considered the best option for the average cardholder, as it provides the most rewards value over a two-year period.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee of $69 but offers fewer benefits, such as 3,000 anniversary bonus points and two Early Bird check-in certificates per year.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards currently offer attractive signup bonuses, with new cardholders able to earn up to 85,000 bonus points after meeting minimum spending requirements, which can be redeemed for flights at a value of 3-5 cents per point.

The Southwest cards also offer ongoing rewards, with the higher-tier cards providing bonus points on Southwest purchases, local transit/commuting, and other categories, making them valuable for frequent flyers.

Southwest credit cards generally require good to excellent credit, typically a credit score of 690 or higher, to qualify, and the annual fees ranging from $69 to $199 can often be recouped through the various card benefits.

Redeeming Southwest points is straightforward, as they can be used towards any Southwest flight with no blackout dates, providing flexibility for travelers.


Southwest's 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options - Best Southwest routes to book with 85,000 bonus points





Southwest’s 85,000 Bonus Points Offer A Comprehensive Analysis of Value and Redemption Options

The 85,000 bonus points currently offered by Southwest credit cards can be redeemed for a variety of domestic routes, with one-way flights between cities like Atlanta and New Orleans available for just 6,700 points.

Savvy travelers can maximize the value of these bonus points by booking during off-peak times or taking advantage of periodic Southwest sales, which can significantly reduce the number of points required for a flight.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card offers an impressive 4x points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases, making it a top choice for small business owners.

Booking Southwest flights during the airline's periodic point sales can yield up to 40% more value per point, with some routes requiring as little as 3,000 points for a one-way trip.

Redeeming Rapid Rewards points for international flights to destinations like Aruba or Cancun can often provide over 2 cents per point in value, significantly higher than the average 3 cents per point for domestic flights.

Southwest's unique "Anytime" fares can offer up to 5 cents per point in redemption value, outpacing the standard 3 cents per point for "Wanna Get Away" fares.

Utilizing the Southwest Low Fare Calendar tool can help identify dates with the lowest point requirements, potentially saving up to 10,000 points on a round-trip booking.

Booking Southwest flights with points 21 days in advance can result in savings of up to 30% compared to last-minute bookings, due to the airline's dynamic pricing model.

The 85,000 bonus points offer can cover up to 63% of the required 135,000 qualifying points needed to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.

Southwest allows Companion Pass holders to change their designated companion up to three times per calendar year, providing unmatched flexibility.

Unlike many airline loyalty programs, Southwest's Companion Pass has no blackout dates or seat restrictions, allowing use on any available flight, even during peak travel periods.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 1,500 "tier qualifying points" (TQPs) for every $10,000 spent, up to 100,000 TQPs annually, providing a path to elite status.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.