5 Tips For Snagging Cheap Flights On Southwest Airlines
Searching for cheap flights to your favorite destinations can be a daunting task, especially when you choose Southwest Airlines as your carrier. But don’t worry; we’re here to help. Here are five useful tips to help you find the cheapest available flights on Southwest Airlines.
The first step is to check Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar. This tool helps you find dates with the lowest fares to various destinations. It takes a few seconds to search for your desired destinations, and as soon as you input your dates, the calendar will instantly provide you with the cheapest fare available in every month. So make sure to check this calendar before you book a ticket.
Try to stay flexible. Whenever possible, try to look for tickets on different days or times, so you can find the best fares. Southwest allows you to choose among three options when booking, which gives you the freedom to select the date that’s most convenient for you and your budget.
It’s also a good idea to sign up for Southwest’s newsletter. This way you can keep track of any special offers or discounts they might have. Southwest has regular flash sales and discounts that you can take advantage of, so don’t miss out on them by not signing up.
If you’ve already booked your Southwest ticket, keep checking for better fares. Southwest has a great Price Protection policy, which allows you to get a refund if you find a cheaper fare after you’ve booked your ticket. All you have to do is contact the customer service and provide the details of the lower fare and they’ll refund the difference.
The last tip is to join Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program. This program helps you earn points on your each flight which can be redeemed for free flights. So join as soon as possible and start earning points before you book your ticket.
Using Southwest Special Offers
In addition to the points you earn with Rapid Rewards, you can also benefit from special offers and discounts that Southwest regularly announce. All you need to do is to log in to your account from time to time to check if there is a special offer that is relevant to your booking. You may find discounted tickets to your desired destination or get bonus points on particular routes.
You can also get discounted tickets if you book multiple tickets. Southwest offers discounts for groups of two or more people, as well as discounts for military personnel and their families. So if you are traveling with someone, you can get a discount that could can lower your fare significantly.
In addition to these discounts, you might also be able to get discounted tickets to nearby airports. So make sure to look for flights from alternate airports that are close to your travel destination, as those tickets might be cheaper.
Another great way to get discounted tickets is to book your flight early. Southwest usually has discounted tickets for flights that are a few weeks away, so if you plan your trip in advance, you’ll be able to get a lower fare.
Finally, you can get discounted tickets if you opt for basic economy fare. Basic economy tickets do not allow you to make any changes to your booking, so read the terms and conditions carefully before you book a ticket.
Booking Opaque Fares
Southwest also offers discounted tickets through their Southwest Vacations package. This package has opaque fares, which means that the details of the flight will be revealed only after you have paid. The opaque fares are much cheaper than the regular fares, so it might be worth considering if you have some flexibility.
It is important to note that the airline and flight number of an opaque fare will be known at the time of purchase. It is only the departure times and seat assignments that will be revealed after you have made the payment.
You should also remember that some opaque tickets might be non-refundable. So make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before booking an opaque fare. If the flight is canceled or delayed, you may not be able to get a refund, so make sure to check the fare rules.
Another advantage of booking opaque fares is that you can get a significant price reduction as Southwest doesn’t charge any booking fees for these tickets. So if you can commit to a specific flight time and date, opaque fares might be the perfect option for you.
Lastly, you can book your hotel and car rental at the same time you purchase your ticket, and you can get a discounted rate for the package as well. So if you are planning a holiday, make sure to take a look at Southwest’s Vacations package.
Using miles
If you have accumulated miles with Southwest Airlines, you can also use them to get discounted tickets. You can use your frequent flyer miles to get discounted tickets or upgrade your seats to the business class.
Using miles to purchase tickets is a great way to save money and get the most out of your money. However, some restrictions may apply. Southwest has different tiers for the miles program, and you can only use your miles if you are in the higher tier.
You can also use your miles to get discounted tickets for other members of your family who might be traveling with you. Most people don’t know this, but you can transfer your miles to any other family member and they can use it to get discounted fares.
To maximize the value of your miles, make sure to use them when the fares are already discounted or during the sales. This way, you can get the most bang for your buck.
Moreover, you can use your earned miles to get discounted tickets in any other airline as well. This way, you can save even more money. Some airlines offer huge discounts on airfare when you use miles to purchase tickets so make sure to check them out.
Using Credit Cards
Finally, you can use your credit cards to get discounts on Southwest Airlines tickets. There are several cards that offer discounts or points on your purchase, and you can use these discounts to get discounted tickets. Make sure to read the terms and conditions before you apply for a card, as some cards may have an annual fee.
You can also take advantage of special offers and promotions from your credit card. Most banks have various offers and promotions throughout the year, and you can use these offers to get discounted tickets. Make sure to read the fine print and check what is included and excluded in the offer.
You can also take advantage of cashback offers when you purchase your tickets from Southwest. Many credit cards offer cashback on your travel expenses which can help you save more money. So make sure to check your credit card terms and conditions and see if there are any cashback offers that you can use.
In addition, you can use your credit cards to earn bonus points or miles. Most cards offer special rewards on airfare or other travel related expenses, so make sure to check if your card is offering any bonuses.
Finally, you can also use your credit cards to get protection against travel problems. Most cards offer travel insurance which can help you recover from any unexpected flight delays or cancellations.
Taking Advantage of Southwest Promotions
Southwest also offers special promotions throughout the year. You can find various discounts and offers with which you can save money on your tickets. Make sure to check their website for any promotions before booking your tickets.
Another great way to save money is to take advantage of Southwest’s package deals. Southwest often offers package deals that include airfare, hotel stay, and car rental for a discounted rate. This is great if you are planning a vacation, as you can get everything booked at once and save some money.
You can also save money if you travel to a destination during an off-peak season. Southwest usually has discounted tickets during these periods, so make sure to search for tickets in advance.
Moreover, if you are a student you can also get discounted tickets. You can get a discounted airfare if you can provide proof of full-time student status. So make sure to take advantage of these discounted fares when you can.
You can also join their Partner program and get access to exclusive discounts. Some of the partners you can join include car rental companies, hotels, and retail stores. By joining these programs, you can get discounts on your tickets as well as on other services.
Finally, make sure to check their social media pages regularly. For you can often find exclusive offers and discounts on their social media pages, which you would not find otherwise.
FAQs
Are there any ways to get discounted tickets on Southwest?
Yes, there are many ways to get discounted tickets on Southwest. You can check their Low Fare Calendar for the best available fares, use your credit cards for discounts, join their partner program, and take advantage of their promotions. You can also use your miles or book an opaque fare for discounted tickets.
Can I get a refund if I find a cheaper fare after I book my ticket?
Yes, Southwest has a Price Protection policy which allows you to get a refund if you find a cheaper fare after booking your ticket. All you have to do is contact their customer service and provide the details of the lower fare and they will refund the difference.
Can I transfer my miles to other family members?
Yes, you can transfer your miles to other family members and they can use it to get discounted fares. So if you are planning to travel with someone, you can use your miles to get discounted tickets.