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Southwest Airlines Now Accepts Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for Online Bookings

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Redeeming Chase Points for Southwest Flights Just Got Easier

After years of not being able to book Southwest Airlines flights online through credit card travel portals, such as those affiliated with American Express, Bilt, Chase, and Citi, there's finally some good news for travelers. You can now redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points via its online portal for travel on Southwest. However, there are a few limitations to keep in mind.

Only Certain Fares Available for Booking

Currently, the option to book Southwest flights with Chase points is only available for Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. This means that customers looking to book Business Select fares or refundable tickets with the airline's Anytime fare will still have to use other methods. However, for those hoping to snag a base fare or the airline's Wanna Get Away Plus fare, this new option could be quite beneficial.

A Better Option Than Transferring Points

Redeeming Chase points directly in the Chase portal for Southwest flights may be more appealing than transferring points to Southwest Rapid Rewards. This is because Southwest has announced plans to devalue its points in 2024 by approximately 4%. By using Chase points directly, you may be able to get a better redemption rate.

How to Redeem Chase Points for Southwest Flights

If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. However, with the upcoming devaluation of Rapid Rewards points, it may be more advantageous to book directly through the Chase portal.

To redeem your Chase points for Southwest flights, simply navigate to the Chase portal and search for your desired flight as you would with any other booking. The value of your Chase points when used for airfare in the portal will vary depending on the specific card you have.

Earning Rapid Rewards Points

When booking Southwest flights through the Chase portal and including your Rapid Rewards number on your reservation, you will generally earn Rapid Rewards points. This means that even with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, it is often a better use of points to book directly in the Chase portal instead of transferring to Rapid Rewards. However, it's important to note that Rapid Rewards points cannot be earned on award travel.

Maximizing Chase Points

While using Chase points for Southwest Airlines travel is now an option, there are other ways to maximize the value of your Ultimate Rewards points. Transferring points to partners like World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan can often result in high-value redemptions. Consider these alternatives if you're looking to get the most out of your Chase points.

courtesy of thepointsguy.com

Overall, this new option to book Southwest flights with Chase points is a welcome change for travelers. With the upcoming devaluation of Rapid Rewards points, it's worth exploring this alternative method of redemption.

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