Travelers often look to save money on airfare using a variety of methods.
Currently, Southwest Airlines (LUV) has an offer that could significantly affect the amount of money passengers will pay to travel over the next year.
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As frequent travelers know, one way to reduce the cost of airline tickets is to compare departure and return fares within a few days of your desired travel dates.
Checking routes that have longer travel times and cumbersome layovers can also save money.
Another strategy is to make good use of credit card points to lower the price of tickets. This is where one travel expert says the Southwest Airlines deal is one of the most attractive deals available for travel within the US.
Travelers who are not currently holders of a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, or who have not received a new cardholder bonus in the last two years, can apply for one and get a very good welcome offer that significantly affects the price .
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Travelers can get two important benefits
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus card, which has an annual fee of $69, has two benefits available to travelers who apply by March 11.
After spending $4,000 in the first three months, new cardholders will receive 30,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points. They will also get a Southwest Companion Pass valid until February 28, 2025.
“Many people love flying with Southwest Airlines because of the two free checked bags, lack of change and cancellation fees, and no voucher expiration,” Ben Schlappig wrote in one mile at a time. “Plus, having a Southwest Airlines credit card can help you get a Companion Pass, one of the best deals on domestic travel.”
“I value Rapid Rewards points at 1.2 cents each. So to me, the points alone are worth $360,” he continued. “The area where you can really get huge value is with the Companion Pass, as it allows someone to travel with you regardless of whether they pay cash or redeem points, while only paying the applicable taxes and fees.”
Schlappig described the value of the Companion Pass in more detail:
With the Southwest Companion Pass, you can have someone travel with you all year long (either paying cash or redeeming points) and only pay taxes and fees for them. This is an incredible deal and basically doubles the value you can get when flying Southwest.
The Southwest Companion Pass requires earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year, although you get a 10,000 point boost just for having a co-branded Southwest card.
Only certain types of point earning qualify, including Southwest credit card spending and Southwest credit card welcome bonuses. Thanks to the current offer, you can receive the Companion Pass until February 28, 2025, without needing to earn a certain number of qualifying points.
Southwest Airlines adds new seasonal routes
This offer comes as Southwest Airlines is adding two new routes this week, both in Tennessee.
The airline will begin nonstop flights, one from Memphis to Las Vegas and the other from Nashville to Richmond, Virginia.
These routes will be seasonal and will operate with less than daily service, according to The boy with the points.
Both flights will begin in early October.
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