Southwest Rapid Rewards Points do not expire as long as your account remains open. However, if you close your account, then all your points will be lost. This new policy came into force in October 2019. Prior to that points used to expire if you had 24-months of inactivity.
How You Can Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards
You no longer need to generate earning activity to avoid point expiration. Now, you can just focus on earning points to get free Southwest flights. You can earn Rapid Rewards points in the following ways:
- Fly with Southwest and be sure to include your Rapid Rewards number in your ticket/booking.
- Transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Join Rapid Rewards Dining and earn points the next time you dine out.
- Click through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal to earn points for everyday spending.
- When it’s time to send that special someone flowers, buy through Southwest and earn points at the same time.
- Purchase Rapid Rewards points.
- Earn Points with one of Southwest’s hotel partners—which includes many big names such as Marriott, Best Western, Radisson, and Hyatt.
- Earn points by taking Rewards for Opinions surveys.
- Share opinions through eRewards to earn points.
- Earn points when you purchase wine from Laithwaiteswine.com.
One of the easiest ways to rack up a bunch of Southwest Rapid Rewards points is by getting one of the Southwest co-branded credit cards from Chase:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Check out our review of this card.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Read our review of this card.
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Here’s our review of this card.
Don’t Forget
Southwest is one of the easiest programs in the points and miles world. The program is straightforward, with little to worry about in the small print. Also, the program offers excellent value—from the famous Companion Pass to great redemption options.
