Can I Use Southwest Points to Fly to Hawaii?

Now that Southwest Airlines has expanded its flight routes to include Hawaii, they've made a major marketing push to attract local residents and travelers to sign up for their frequent flyer program. But can you really use Southwest points to fly to Hawaii? And if so, how many points might you need?

The Southwest Frequent Flyer Program Explained

Southwest's frequent flyer program is designed to reward loyal customers with points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other perks. Members can earn and accumulate points through a variety of channels, including lounge access, crew member upgrades, and checking flights.

Marketing Push for the Southern Route

Southwest has made a significant effort to sign up more users for their frequent flyer program to take advantage of this new route to Hawaii. This marketing push includes various incentives and promotional materials to encourage sign-ups.

Using Southwest Points to Fly to Hawaii

Logically, yes, you can use Southwest points to fly to Hawaii. However, the number of points required for such a trip can be substantial. The exact number will depend on several factors, including your status in the frequent flyer program, the class of service you want, and the specific route and date of your flight.

Factors Affecting Point Requirements

There are a few factors that can affect the number of points required for a flight to Hawaii:

Class of Service: Economy class might require fewer points than business class, for example. Time of Year: Holidays and other peak travel times may increase the point requirements. Flight Dates: Last-minute and early booking points may vary.

How to Check Point Requirements

Southwest's website provides detailed information on point requirements for various routes. To find out how many points you need for a specific flight, visit their website, enter your travel dates and class, and review the fare information, which will include the points required for redemption.

Alternative Options

If the number of required points is too high, consider the following options:

Earn Points via Credit Cards: Some of Southwest's partner credit cards offer bonus points for new applications and ongoing rewards. Save for Points: If flying isn't an immediate need, consider building up your points over time to reach the desired threshold. Use Companion Cards: Southwest's companion cards allow friends and family to earn points when they fly.

Name Your Price or Pay Cash

While Southwest points can be a valuable currency for frequent flyers, you may also find it more practical to pay cash for your Hawaii trip. If points are not sufficient, pay for the remaining amount with your preferred payment method.

Conclusion

Given Southwest's new route to Hawaii, you can indeed use your Southwest points for flights to the islands. However, be prepared for potentially high point requirements. Use the resources available on Southwest's website to plan your trip and consider alternative methods to accumulate points, such as credit card rewards and companion cards.