{"id":278690,"date":"2026-10-23T15:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T15:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=278690\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T20:26:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T20:26:57","slug":"best-ways-to-earn-southwest-rapid-rewards-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/earn-southwest-rapid-rewards-points\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards Points: Credit Cards, Flights, Shopping, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Travelers have tons of ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points \u2014 from flying to credit card spend to shopping and dining out. Whether you want to book award flights, earn Southwest status, or earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass<\/a>, this guide covers all the ways to build your points balance.<\/p>\n

Editor's note:<\/strong> Southwest Rapid Rewards is undergoing significant changes on January 1, 2027<\/a>, including updates to earning rates, elite status, and Companion Pass qualification. This guide reflects the current program rules. We'll update it as the changes take effect.<\/em><\/p>\n

Earn Rapid Rewards Points by Flying Southwest<\/span><\/h2>\n

Perhaps the most obvious way to earn Southwest points is by flying with the airline.\u00a0When you fly a Southwest itinerary booked with cash (or via the Chase Travel\u2120 Portal<\/a>), you can credit the flight to your Rapid Rewards account to earn redeemable and A-List qualifying points. The number of points earned depends on the base fare, fare type, and your elite status.<\/p>\n

The four fare types from cheapest to most expensive are Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Here are the Rapid Rewards-earning rates for each after the latest changes<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Southwest Point Earnings
\nby Fare Class<\/th>		Rapid Rewards Member<\/th>A-List<\/th>A-List Preferred<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Basic<\/strong><\/td>2 points per dollar<\/td>2.5 pts per dollar<\/td>4 pts per dollar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choice<\/strong><\/td>6 points per dollar<\/td>7.5 pts per dollar<\/td>12 pts per dollar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choice Preferred<\/strong><\/td>10 points per dollar<\/td>12.5 pts per dollar<\/td>20 pts per dollar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choice Extra<\/strong><\/td>14 points per dollar<\/td>17.5 pts per dollar<\/td>28 pts per dollar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Likewise, the higher your status, the more points you earn per dollar spent. That means that the highest earning rate goes to A-List Preferred members booking Choice Extra fares. For example, a Choice Extra ticket with a $300 base fare would net an A-List Preferred member 8,400 Rapid Rewards points.<\/p>\n

Other than the point-earning rate, the differences between the fares<\/a> include increased ticket flexibility, boarding priority, included checked bags, and free drink vouchers.<\/p>\n

\"Southwest;'
Screenshot of Southwest<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

You can also earn Rapid Rewards points on Southwest-operated flights booked through participating international airline partners, including Icelandair<\/a>. These flights earn 500 to 1,500 points per segment based on distance flown, provided you add your Rapid Rewards number to the reservation. Flights operated by the partner airline itself don't earn Southwest points.<\/p>\n

Earn Southwest Points With Credit Cards<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether you earn points directly with a Southwest co-branded credit card or with another bank that can transfer to Southwest, this can be the best way to earn a ton of Southwest points.<\/p>\n

Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards<\/span><\/h3>\n

The easiest, and arguably best, way to earn Rapid Rewards points is with a Southwest credit card<\/a>. Southwest offers three personal and two business credit cards, all issued by Chase. Each offers different perks and benefits. Annual fees for the personal cards range from $99 to $229.<\/p>\n

\"Southwest<\/div><\/div>
Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/div>
Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div>
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>
Annual Fee<\/strong>

$99Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>

Credit Score<\/strong>

Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>