Amex Travel: Southwest Airlines Partner?

Southwest Airlines is a popular choice for travellers due to its excellent customer service, no blackout dates on award travel, and growing list of destinations. While it is possible to book a Southwest Airlines flight using American Express points, it cannot be done through the Amex travel portal. Instead, you must first book the flight directly through Southwest and then call Amex Travel to request to pay with your Amex points. This is because Southwest Airlines uses a different online booking system, and Amex travel agents may not be able to see the same fares listed on the Southwest website.

Using AMEX Membership Rewards points for Southwest flights

Southwest Airlines is a popular choice for many flyers, thanks to its excellent customer service, low-cost flights, and growing list of destinations. If you're a member of the American Express Membership Rewards program, you may be wondering how you can use your points to book a Southwest Airlines flight. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Understand the Process

Southwest Airlines uses a different online booking system than other airlines, so you won't be able to book a flight with them directly through the American Express Travel portal. Instead, you'll need to book your flight and then redeem your AMEX Membership Rewards points after the charge appears on your card.

Step 2: Book Your Flight with Southwest Airlines

Start by visiting the Southwest Airlines website or giving them a call at 1-800-435-9792. Find a flight that suits your needs and book it using your AMEX card. Make sure you have enough available credit on your card to cover the cost of the flight.

Step 3: Wait for the Charge to Appear

After booking your flight, wait for the charge to appear on your AMEX account. This usually takes a few days. You can also schedule a point redemption for eligible pending charges through the American Express Mobile app if you have enough points to cover the entire cost.

Step 4: Contact American Express Travel

Once the charge for your flight appears on your AMEX account, it's time to call American Express Travel at 1-800-297-2977. Request to pay for the flight using your AMEX Membership Rewards points. You can also try contacting them through the American Express Mobile app or website, but calling seems to be the most reliable method.

Step 5: Redeem Your Points

After contacting American Express Travel, they will guide you through the process of redeeming your points. Remember that points are typically worth 1 cent each towards travel, so a $475 flight will require 47,500 Membership Rewards points. You may also receive a rebate credit for some of your points a few weeks after redemption, depending on your card benefits.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you have The Business Platinum Card from American Express, you can select Southwest as your preferred airline and take advantage of the Pay with Points rebate, getting even more value from your points.
• Keep in mind that AMEX travel agents may not see the same fares as listed on the Southwest website, so you may not always get access to the lowest fares when booking through them.
• You can also use your AMEX Membership Rewards points to book flights on most other domestic and international airlines through the American Express Travel website.

Booking a Southwest flight with AMEX points

American Express Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for Southwest Airline tickets. However, you cannot book Southwest flights directly through the AMEX portal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to book a Southwest flight using AMEX points:

Step 1: Book Your Flight with Southwest

First, you will need to book your flight directly with Southwest. You can do this by visiting the Southwest website and searching for your desired flight. Be sure to check the "Points" option to view the results for award flights. Select the flight you want and complete the booking process.

Step 2: Pay with Your AMEX Card

To take advantage of the points redemption, you will need to pay for your Southwest flight using an eligible AMEX card. The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a popular choice for this purpose, as it offers a Pay With Points rebate, allowing you to get some of your AMEX Membership Rewards points back.

Step 3: Redeem Your Points

After your flight purchase has posted to your AMEX account, you can then redeem your Membership Rewards points to cover the cost. You can do this through the American Express website or mobile app. Log in to your account, locate the charge for your Southwest flight, and select the option to redeem points. Ensure that you have enough points to cover the entire cost of the flight.

Benefits of Using AMEX Points for Southwest Flights

Using AMEX Membership Rewards points for Southwest flights offers several advantages. Southwest is known for its flexible policies, including no change or cancellation fees. Additionally, you can earn frequent flyer miles on your Southwest flight, even when booking with points. This allows you to get more value from your rewards.

Tips for Maximizing Your Rewards

If you plan to use this method frequently, consider selecting Southwest as your preferred airline with AMEX. This will allow you to take advantage of benefits such as the $200 airline incidental fee credit. Additionally, if you have a Chase travel card, you can further maximize your rewards by redeeming Ultimate Rewards points for Southwest flights through the Chase Travel portal. This will allow you to earn Rapid Rewards points on your flight booking.

Southwest Airlines' online booking system

Southwest Airlines is a popular choice for travellers due to its competitive fares, free checked bags, and extensive route network. The airline also offers a Southwest Companion Pass, which can result in additional savings.

When it comes to the Southwest Airlines online booking system, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, Southwest Airlines is not available through the Amex travel portal. This means that if you're an Amex cardholder looking to use your Membership Rewards points for a Southwest Airlines booking, you'll need to follow a slightly different process.

Here's a step-by-step guide to booking Southwest Airlines flights using your Amex Membership Rewards points:

• Book your Southwest Airlines flight directly on the Southwest Airlines website, southwest.com, using your Amex card.
• After the charge for your flight appears on your Amex account, contact Amex Travel by calling them at 800-297-2977.
• Request to redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points to cover the cost of the flight. You will need enough points to cover the entire cost of the flight.
• The Amex travel agent will process your request, and the points will be deducted from your Membership Rewards account balance.
• You will receive a credit for the corresponding dollar amount on your Amex card statement within approximately 48 hours.

It's important to note that Amex travel agents may not always be able to see the same fares that are available on the Southwest Airlines website. Additionally, they may have restrictions on booking certain types of fares, such as "Wanna Get Away" fares or international flights. Therefore, it's recommended to book directly with Southwest Airlines and then use your points to cover the charge after the fact.

By following these steps, you can take advantage of the benefits of both Southwest Airlines and your Amex Membership Rewards program, ensuring a seamless booking experience and maximizing the value of your rewards points.

Transferring AMEX points to Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is not listed as a transfer partner of American Express (AmEx). However, there are still ways to use your AmEx points for Southwest Airlines bookings. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to transfer your AmEx points:

Step 1: Book your Southwest Airlines flight

Firstly, book your flight directly on the Southwest Airlines website. You will need to use a qualified AmEx credit card to make the booking.

Step 2: Contact AmEx

After the purchase has been posted to your credit card, you will need to contact AmEx Travel. You can do this by calling their customer service line at 800-297-2977.

Step 3: Redeem your points

When you call AmEx, request to redeem your AmEx Membership Rewards points to cover the cost of your flight. You will need to have enough points to cover the entire cost of the flight.

It is important to note that this process may not give you access to the lowest fares available on the Southwest website. AmEx customer service representatives may not see the same fares listed, and there are restrictions on certain types of fares and international flights.

Additionally, remember that you must redeem a minimum of 5,000 points when using the "Pay With Points" option with AmEx.

Other options

If you are open to other airlines, AmEx has a variety of transfer partners, including 17 airlines and 3 hotels. Some popular partners include Delta Skymiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

You can also use your AmEx Membership Rewards points for all or part of your flight, prepaid car rental, vacation, or cruise booking, as well as hotels booked and paid in advance when booking through the AmEx Travel website.

Southwest Airlines' frequent flyer program

Southwest Airlines has a frequent flyer program called Rapid Rewards. Members can earn points by flying, spending on co-branded credit cards, shopping online, or spending with partners. These points can be redeemed for any Southwest flight with available seats, as well as gift cards, merchandise, hotel stays, rental cars, and exclusive cardmember experiences. There are no blackout dates or expiration dates for points, providing flexibility for travellers.

One of the main advantages of the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is that members can redeem points for any available seat on Southwest flights. This means that as long as there is a seat for sale on the preferred flight, members can book it using their points or cash. The points have a relatively fixed value of 1.5 cents each for most redemptions, ensuring that award prices remain reasonable. Additionally, there are no restrictions on eligible seats or limited award space, providing more options for members.

The Rapid Rewards program also offers benefits such as no fees for changing or cancelling flights. Members only need to pay the difference in ticket prices when changing a flight, and they may receive a refund or credit for future flights when fares are lower. Cancelling flights is equally straightforward, with no fees involved and the option for a refund or flight credit.

Another notable feature of the program is the Southwest Companion Pass. This pass can be used an unlimited number of times, regardless of whether the primary ticket is booked with cash or points. Members can change their designated companion up to three times each calendar year.

The program also provides opportunities for elite status, such as A-List and A-List Preferred. A-List members enjoy benefits like priority boarding, bonus points on paid flights, free same-day standby, and priority check-in. A-List Preferred members receive additional perks, including a 100% bonus on paid flights and free Wi-Fi.

While the Southwest Rapid Rewards program offers many benefits, there are also some limitations to consider. Southwest Airlines primarily operates within the US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, so travellers seeking flights to other international destinations may find the program restrictive. Additionally, the airline does not offer business or first-class options, and the boarding process may be less structured than that of other major airlines.

Frequently asked questions