Southwest Airlines uses variable award flight pricing, so it can be a little tricky to estimate the redemption value of your points. But you can anticipate a relatively high value. Here are several examples of how far 50,000 Southwest points can take you.
Note: New Southwest Airlines (consumer) credit cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Southwest offers: Earn Points with the Southwest Credit Card Offers
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How Much Are Southwest Points Worth?
Southwest Rapid Rewards can be worth between 1 cent and 1.5 cents, depending on the itinerary. As a result, 50,000 Southwest points are typically worth between $500 and $750 in award flights within the United States or one of the airline’s international destinations.
New Southwest Airlines (consumer) credit cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The three consumer Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards that come with the enhanced bonus are:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
The redemption value differs by fare type. Ballpark estimates are the following:
- Wanna Get Away: 1.2 to 1.5 cents
- Wanna Get Away Plus: 1.4 cents
- Anytime: 1.4 cents
- Business Select: 1.3 cents
However, your mileage can vary for your desired route. These are some of the best redemption rates the author could consistently find for each fare type when researching flight prices for this article.
Since this discount carrier uses variable pricing, you may need to play with your travel times and flight dates to get the best deal for your preferred route.
A basic Wanna Get Away fare can be your best option for most flights as you can get a high redemption value and redeem the fewest points. You also get to enjoy two free checked bags and the flexibility of open seating.
Compared to legacy airlines, Rapid Rewards has a competitive price to similar main cabin fares. However, Southwest points can be a tad more valuable as other miles programs tend to be closer to the 1-cent mark as first class and business class seats tend to have higher values.
Related: The Southwest Credit Cards Credit Score Review
Use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar
Thankfully, the airline provides an easy-to-use low-fare calendar that allows you to quickly switch between cash price and points requirement. You can also compare rates by calendar day without having to launch multiple search tabs or constantly re-enter your filters like other airlines tend to require.
Examples of Redeeming 50,000 Southwest Points
Here are some examples of redeeming up to 50,000 Rapid Rewards for value. It is best to be flexible with dates, as seen in the examples in the pictures below.
1. Dallas to Cancun (starting at 13,861 oneway)
Points can be worth 1.5 cents on an entry-level Wanna Get Away fare between Dallas-Love Field (DAL) to Cancun (CUN) or 1.3 cents in Business Select. A one-way fare can be found for as little as 13,861 points, plus taxes and fees.
This particular travel corridor requires connecting through another airport, usually Houston, to reach Cancun, and you can still pay a low rate.
Related: The Southwest Companion Pass®: Everything You Need To Know
2. Los Angeles to Honolulu (starting at 10,206 oneway)
West Coast residents can enjoy affordable flights to Hawaii as Southwest offers some of the best award flights to this tropical state. It’s possible to book a roundtrip for less than 50,000 Rapid Rewards.
Wanna Get Away fares between Los Angeles (LAX) and Honolulu (HNL) range from 10,206 miles in the spring months to as low as 15,517 on select days on peak summer travel days, plus fees and taxes each way.
Even in the busy June and July travel months, you can find one-way fares for 17,000 or lower before school goes back into session.
3. Nashville to Hawaii (starting at 15,196 oneway)
Let’s say you live east of the Mississippi River but want to fly to Hawaii. You will shell out more points as it’s a longer flight distance than hopping on a nonstop flight from the Pacific Coast, but you can still get a roundtrip fare for just under 32,000 points.
For instance, a Monday-to-Monday award itinerary in February 2025 requires only 30,392 Rapid Rewards between Nashville (BNA) and Honolulu (HNL). Weekend departures can push you closer to the 40k Rapid Rewards threshold.
4. Baltimore/Washington and Punta Cana (starting at 11,703 oneway)
Suppose you live in the Washington, D.C. metro area and want a Caribbean escape. In that case, you can fly from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) for almost 32,000 points (plus taxes and fees) roundtrip in March 2025.
The redemption value is approximately 1.2 cents for this sample fare, which isn’t as valuable as other possibilities but is still competitive.
Typically, it’s worth using points when your redemption value is 1.2 cents or higher for Southwest Airlines award flights.
5. Phoenix to Puerto Vallarta (starting at 15,936 oneway)
A roundtrip flight between Phoenix and Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta requires only as few as approximately 32,000 points plus taxes and fees in June. This trip can be a perfect opportunity to escape the summer heat of the high Sonoran desert while quickly reaching a tropical resort.
A trip between Phoenix and Honolulu with similar travel dates costs closer to 45,000 points. This fare is still affordable, but opting for Mexico allows for more travel.
6. Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale (starting at 11,689 oneway)
Midwest residents can also enjoy competitive beach trip rates between Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) and Ft. Lauderdale (FLL). A one-way fare starts at 11,689 points plus taxes and fees between these airports with a Wanna Get Away redemption rate of 1.2 cents.
Flying into FLL instead of Miami International Airport (MIA) is cheaper (11,689 points versus 14,005 points). You also get to avoid the hustle and bustle of Miami, as Ft. Lauderdale is less crowded.
A visit to Orlando (MCO) starts at 14,159, while a visit to Tampa (TPA) will also cost 11,689 if those are cities you prefer to visit from Chicago.
7. Chicago to Puerto Rico (starting at 14,940 oneway)
It’s also possible to book a oneway flight between Chicago and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) for under 15,000 Rapid Rewards points in peak summer.
This is one of the more affordable Caribbean routes for travel from the central United States. For example, a oneway flight from Chicago to Montego Bay, Jamaica, starts at around 24,000 points or more (fees and taxes).
If you live in the Chicagoland area or can easily reach this Midwestern juggernaut, you can also compare Southwest flight prices from Chicago-Midway Airport (MDW). This alternate airport can have more destination options plus affordable pricing.
Summary of How Much 50,000 Southwest Points Are Worth
Many travelers like Southwest Airlines because of its affordable flights and two free checked bags to exciting destinations. Your airline miles can be worth more than going through competing carriers or a credit card booking portal. Having 50,000 Southwest points lets you quickly book a roundtrip fare for two people to many locations.
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