When it comes to earning and redeeming rewards points for travel, credit card partnerships play a crucial role. But what about American Express and Southwest Airlines? Are they in cahoots or flying solo? If you’re a Southwest enthusiast or an American Express cardholder, you’re probably curious to know if these two giants have joined forces to enhance your travel experience. Well, fret not, because we have all the answers you seek. So, let’s dive deep into the world of American Express and Southwest Airlines and explore the possibilities that await you.
Let’s begin by finding out if American Express has a partnership with Southwest Airlines. Can cardholders leverage their Membership Rewards points to enjoy flights with Southwest? Or do they need to explore other options for their travel aspirations? The truth may surprise you, so keep reading to uncover the secrets behind this potential alliance, loyalty program delights, and more.
How to Earn Membership Rewards Points with Southwest Airlines
American Express cardholders have the opportunity to earn valuable Membership Rewards points while enjoying the benefits of traveling with Southwest Airlines. By leveraging their American Express credit cards, cardholders can earn points and redeem them for Southwest flights, hotel stays, and more.
Earning Double Points with American Express Travel Online
When booking a prepaid hotel on American Express Travel Online, cardholders can earn double Membership Rewards points. This means that for every dollar spent on a qualifying prepaid hotel booking, you will earn two Membership Rewards points instead of the usual one. It’s a great way to maximize your rewards while enjoying a comfortable stay at your preferred hotel.
Redeeming Points for Southwest Flights
One of the great benefits of being an American Express cardholder is the ability to redeem your Membership Rewards points for Southwest Airlines flights. Unlike some other airlines, Southwest Airlines allows you to redeem your points for any flight and still earn frequent flyer miles. To book a Southwest Airlines ticket using Membership Rewards points, simply follow these steps:
- Book your ticket directly with Southwest Airlines.
- After the charge posts, redeem your Membership Rewards points for the ticket.
This way, you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of using your points for Southwest flights while still earning valuable frequent flyer miles.
| Booking Method | Earn Frequent Flyer Miles |
|---|---|
| Redeem Membership Rewards points for a Southwest Airlines ticket | Yes |
Earning and Redeeming Points on Car Rentals
In addition to flights and hotel bookings, American Express cardholders can also earn and redeem Membership Rewards points on car rentals booked through American Express Travel Online. By booking your car rental with American Express, you can earn points for every dollar spent and then use those points to offset the cost of future car rentals.
If you’re planning a trip with Southwest Airlines, make sure to take full advantage of the benefits that American Express and Membership Rewards points offer. Whether it’s earning double points on hotel bookings, redeeming points for Southwest flights, or enjoying the rewards on car rentals, American Express has you covered.
How to Use the Pay with Points Rebate for Southwest Airlines Flights
Cardholders with The Business Platinum® Card from American Express can take advantage of the Pay with Points rebate to save money on Southwest Airlines flights. This rebate allows you to use your AMEX Membership Rewards points for Southwest flights, even though Southwest is not a transfer partner of American Express.
To utilize the Pay with Points rebate, follow these steps:
- Book your Southwest Airlines flight directly on the Southwest Airlines website using your AMEX Business Platinum card.
- Wait for the charge to post on your account.
- Call the American Express Travel line and request to pay with Membership Rewards points.
- The points will be deducted from your account immediately.
- Within 48 hours, the rebate will be credited back to your account.
This process enables you to leverage your AMEX Membership Rewards points to enjoy savings on Southwest Airlines flights. It provides a convenient option for using your points, allowing you to maximize their value even when the airline is not a direct transfer partner.
Take advantage of the Pay with Points rebate to unlock additional savings on your Southwest Airlines travel. This exclusive benefit of The Business Platinum® Card from American Express allows you to use your AMEX Membership Rewards points in a flexible and rewarding way.
Transferring American Express Points to Partner Airlines for Southwest Flights
While American Express Membership Rewards points cannot be transferred directly to Southwest Airlines, you have the option to transfer your points to partner airlines that fly Southwest routes. By leveraging this transfer feature, you can still use your Membership Rewards points to book award flights on Southwest Airlines.
Two partner airlines that can help you access Southwest flights are Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan, and both of these airlines are part of the Star Alliance. United Airlines, a major partner of Southwest Airlines, is also part of this alliance. By transferring your Amex points to Avianca LifeMiles or Air Canada Aeroplan, you can book award flights on Southwest Airlines through United Airlines.
A similar option is to use British Airways Avios points. Although British Airways is not a direct partner of Southwest Airlines, they have partnerships with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. You can book flights with these airlines that connect to many Southwest destinations, allowing you to effectively use your British Airways Avios points for Southwest flights.
Utilizing these partner airlines expands your options for redeeming your American Express Membership Rewards points for Southwest flights. While direct transfers to Southwest Airlines are not possible, leveraging the partnerships between Amex and other airlines opens up new opportunities for you to access Southwest’s extensive network.
Booking Domestic Flights with American Express Points
American Express Membership Rewards points offer a convenient way to book domestic flights on major U.S. airlines. Whether you’re flying with Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, or Alaska Airlines, you can leverage your Membership Rewards points to offset the cost of your ticket.
To maximize your options, you have two primary methods for utilizing your points: transferring to airline loyalty programs or using partner programs.
Transferring to Airline Loyalty Programs:
If you prefer to stay within the airline’s own loyalty program, you can transfer your Membership Rewards points directly to Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, American Airlines AAdvantage, or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Each program has its own redemption rates and award charts, so be sure to compare and choose the most cost-effective option for your desired flight.
Using Partner Programs:
In addition to airline loyalty programs, American Express partners with other airlines through their own rewards programs. You can transfer your points to programs like the Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, or British Airways Avios, which have partnerships with multiple carriers, including those that connect to many Southwest Airlines destinations.
By utilizing these partner programs, you can access a wider range of flight options and potentially find better redemption rates for your domestic travel needs.
Remember, it’s essential to review the terms and conditions of each program and any associated fees or restrictions before making your redemption choice. This ensures you make the most of your American Express Membership Rewards points while planning your next domestic adventure.
Here’s a breakdown of the airlines and partner programs you can choose from:
| Airline | Member Program |
|---|---|
| Delta | Delta SkyMiles |
| United Airlines | United MileagePlus |
| American Airlines | AAdvantage |
| Alaska Airlines | Mileage Plan |
| Avianca | LifeMiles |
| Air Canada | Aeroplan |
| British Airways | Avios |
Paying with Amex Points for Domestic Flights
Another convenient option for booking domestic flights with American Express is to utilize the Pay with Points feature. With this feature, you have the flexibility to book any available seat on a domestic flight, regardless of award availability, and cover the cost using your Amex points. You can easily book flights directly through the American Express Travel portal and select the option to pay with points.
This method provides you with convenience, especially during times when award seats are limited or unavailable. With Pay with Points, you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of flight options, maximizing your chances of securing a seat. However, it’s important to note that the value of your Amex points when used for Pay with Points may vary based on the flight cost and redemption rates.
When considering using Pay with Points for domestic flights, it’s essential to assess the redemption value of your Amex points in comparison to other redemption options. Depending on your travel goals and preferences, transferring your points to partner airlines or utilizing airline-specific loyalty programs may offer more value. Be sure to weigh your options and select the most suitable route to make the most out of your Amex points for domestic flights.
FAQ
Q: Does American Express partner with Southwest Airlines?
A: American Express does not have a direct partnership with Southwest Airlines. However, there are several ways to use American Express Membership Rewards points for Southwest flights.
Q: How can I earn Membership Rewards points with Southwest Airlines?
A: American Express cardholders can earn double Membership Rewards points when booking a prepaid hotel on American Express Travel Online. Car rentals booked on American Express Travel Online also earn and redeem Membership Rewards points. However, if you redeem your Membership Rewards points via the Pay with Points program for a booking, you are not eligible for double points.
Q: How can I use the Pay with Points rebate for Southwest Airlines flights?
A: Cardholders with The Business Platinum® Card from American Express can use the Pay with Points rebate to save money on Southwest Airlines flights. To take advantage of this rebate, you can book your flight directly on the Southwest Airlines website using your AMEX Business Platinum card. After the charge posts, you can call the American Express Travel line and request to pay with Membership Rewards points. The points will be deducted from your account immediately, and the rebate will be credited back to your account within 48 hours.
Q: Can I transfer American Express points to partner airlines for Southwest flights?
A: American Express Membership Rewards points cannot be transferred directly to Southwest Airlines. However, you can transfer your points to partner airlines that fly Southwest routes. For example, Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan are part of the Star Alliance, which includes United Airlines, a major partner of Southwest Airlines. By transferring Amex points to Avianca or Air Canada, you can book award flights on Southwest Airlines. Similarly, British Airways Avios points can be used to book American Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights, which connect to many Southwest destinations.
Q: How can I book domestic flights with American Express points?
A: American Express Membership Rewards points can be used to book domestic flights on major U.S. airlines such as Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. You can transfer your points to these airlines’ loyalty programs or use partner programs like Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, and British Airways Avios. Each airline and partner program has its own redemption rates and award charts, so you should compare and choose the most cost-effective option for your desired flight.
Q: Can I use Amex points to pay for domestic flights?
A: Yes, you can use the Pay with Points feature to book domestic flights with American Express points. This allows you to book any available seat on a domestic flight, regardless of award availability, and use your Amex points to cover the cost. You can book flights directly through the American Express Travel portal and select the option to pay with points. However, the value of Amex points when used for Pay with Points may vary, depending on the flight cost and redemption rates.