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If you've been looking to stretch your Rapid Rewards points, we've got good news. Southwest just launched a new award sale and is advertising one-way awards starting at 7,000 points. But depending on your route and travel dates, you may even find lower redemption rates than that.
You'll need to act fast, though, as the sale only runs through July 20, 2026. Here are all the details.
Book Flights From 7k Points (Or Less) With This Southwest Award Sale
Now through July 20, 2026, Southwest Rapid Rewards members can save on award flights across the airline's network. Southwest is advertising one-way awards starting at:
- 7,000 points within the continental U.S.
- 8,000 points to select Mexico and Caribbean destinations
- 10,000 points to Hawaii
- 12,000 points to Anchorage
But it gets even better than that. Depending on your route and travel dates, you can find award flights that cost even fewer points.
As with most Southwest sales, there are a few restrictions. The promotion requires a 21-day advance purchase, is only valid on select days of the week, and imposes a handful of blackout dates.
It's also limited to nonstop flights, and seats are available only on select routes and departures. In other words, flexibility will go a long way toward finding a deal that could work for you.
Southwest award sale key details
- Promo code: None required
- Discount: No fixed discount (award sale on Rapid Rewards bookings; points pricing varies by route and date)
- Book by: July 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT
- Travel period:
- Continental U.S. and interisland Hawaii: August 8 through November 18, 2026
- Continental U.S. to/from international destinations, Hawaii, Anchorage, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico: August 11 through November 18, 2026
- Advance purchase requirement: 21 days
- Blackout dates:
- Continental U.S. and interisland Hawaii: September 7, 2026
- Continental U.S. → international destinations, Hawaii, Anchorage, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico: September 3-8, 2026
- International destinations, Hawaii, Anchorage, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico → Continental U.S.: September 3-8, 2026
- Days travel is valid:
- Continental U.S.: Monday-Thursday and Saturday
- Interisland Hawaii: Monday-Thursday and Saturday
- Continental U.S. → Hawaii, Anchorage, St. Thomas, and international destinations: Sunday-Wednesday
- Hawaii, Anchorage, St. Thomas, and international destinations → Continental U.S.: Tuesday-Friday
- Puerto Rico routes: Monday-Thursday
- Route exclusions: Valid on nonstop flights only; seats, days, and markets are limited
- Eligibility: Valid on new Rapid Rewards award bookings only. A 21-day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 one-way) still apply. Any itinerary changes may require additional points, and changes to a booking may affect pricing.
- Where to book: Southwest.com or Swabiz.com
Southwest Airlines recently overhauled its fare structure and introduced fees for checked bags and seat selection. Make sure to review the full inclusions (or lack thereof) of your selected fare class before completing your booking.
Related: Remember to Reprice Your Flights and Hotels to Save Money. Here's How.
Deals We’re Seeing With This Southwest Award Sale
Southwest runs award sales fairly often, but not every promotion offers value worth writing home about. But we'd like to think this one is worth a look, especially if you're willing to book a Basic fare, as that's where you'll find the lowest redemption rates, including some that beat Southwest's advertised starting prices.
Here are a few examples we found:
- Denver (DEN) to Anchorage (ANC) — Advertised from 12,000 points
- Basic: 11,000 points + $5.60
- Choice: 14,500 points + $5.60
- Choice Preferred: 20,500 points + $5.60
- Choice Extra: 25,500 points + $5.60
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Myrtle Beach (MYR) — Advertised from 7,000 points
- Basic: 6,000 points + $5.60
- Choice: 9,000 points + $5.60
- Choice Preferred: 12,500 points + $5.60
- Choice Extra: 15,500 points + $5.60
- Oakland (OAK) to Kauai (LIH) — Advertised from 10,000 points
- Basic: 10,000 points + $5.60
Choice: 14,000 points + $5.60
Choice Preferred: 21,000 points + $5.60
Choice Extra: 26,000 points + $5.60
- Basic: 10,000 points + $5.60
On other routes, particularly between major Southwest hubs, it's a bit harder to find awards at or below the advertised starting prices.
Those flight aside, this promotion does reduce the cost of many award flights across Southwest's network. So, it's a good time to book travel for later this year or reprice any eligible Southwest awards you've already booked.
How to Get More Southwest Points
If you've found something that works for you but need more Southwest points for a redemption, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest or convert Bilt Rewards Points at a 1:1 transfer ratio. AwardWallet data shows that transfers are typically instant. Alternatively, you can transfer several types of hotel points to Southwest, including Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 transfer ratio:
While it won't help you with this promotion, you can stock up on Ultimate Rewards points by applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), which is currently offering a 100,000-point bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Our Take
Southwest's new award sale is yours to take advantage of through July 20, 2026. While there are deals to be found, the cheapest fares generally fall into the Basic category, which means they can't be changed. But if you're willing to test your luck, don't forget that time is of the essence with this sale, so now's the time to look for a deal.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
