Can You Book Southwest Through Amex Travel? Ultimate Guide

Can You Book Southwest Through Amex Travel? Yes, there are several ways to book Southwest flights using your American Express Membership Rewards points, although it’s not as straightforward as booking with partner airlines through the Amex Travel portal. At TRAVELS.EDU.VN, we’ll guide you through the available options, helping you maximize the value of your points for your next Southwest adventure. This includes leveraging alternative redemption methods, understanding point transfer ratios, and identifying the best Southwest flight deals.

1. Understanding American Express Membership Rewards and Southwest Airlines

American Express Membership Rewards is a popular program, boasting numerous travel partners. Southwest Airlines, however, isn’t a direct transfer partner. This means you can’t simply transfer your Amex points to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. However, there are alternative methods to explore.

1.1. Why Southwest Isn’t a Direct Amex Transfer Partner

Southwest Airlines maintains a unique position in the travel industry. Unlike many major airlines, it doesn’t participate in global airline alliances or have extensive partnerships with other loyalty programs. This independent approach extends to its relationship with credit card rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards.

While Southwest has a co-branded credit card with Chase, it doesn’t offer direct point transfers from Amex. This is largely due to strategic decisions made by Southwest to maintain control over its Rapid Rewards program and customer relationships. According to Southwest’s official website, this allows them to offer unique benefits and maintain a consistent experience for their customers.

1.2. Alternative Ways to Use Amex Points for Southwest Flights

Despite the lack of a direct transfer option, you can still redeem your Amex points for Southwest flights. Here are the primary methods:

Pay with Points: Book your Southwest flight directly with your Amex card and then redeem your Membership Rewards points to cover the charge on your statement.
Indirect Transfers via Hotel Partners: Transfer your Amex points to hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Choice Privileges, and then convert those hotel points to Southwest Rapid Rewards points.

2. Booking Southwest Flights Using the Amex Travel Portal: A Closer Look

While you can’t directly book Southwest flights on AmexTravel.com, understanding the portal’s limitations and alternative booking methods is essential.

2.1. Limitations of the Amex Travel Portal for Southwest Bookings

The Amex Travel portal typically displays flights from airlines that have direct partnerships with American Express. Since Southwest isn’t a partner, its flights don’t appear in the portal’s search results.

2.2. Booking Through Amex Customer Service

You can call American Express customer service at 1-800-297-2977 and ask them to book your Southwest flight using your Amex points. However, customer service representatives might not have access to the lowest fares, such as “Wanna Get Away” fares. This method also might not be ideal for booking international Southwest flights, which are best booked directly with the airline.

2.3. Redeeming Points to Cover Travel Charges

A more straightforward approach is to use your Amex card to purchase the Southwest flight directly and then redeem your Membership Rewards points to cover the charge.

Here’s how:

Book your Southwest flight on Southwest.com using your American Express card.
Log in to your American Express account online.
Find the Southwest charge on your statement.
Redeem your Membership Rewards points to cover the charge.
Keep in mind that with this method, each point is typically worth 1 cent. This means a $250 Southwest flight would require 25,000 Membership Rewards points.

2.4. Pay with Points: Key Considerations

When using the Pay With Points feature, remember that you must use points to cover the entire eligible charge. Partial payments are not allowed.

2.5. Bonus Rebates with Specific Amex Cards

Depending on your Amex card, you might be eligible for a bonus rebate on points redemptions when you select Southwest as your preferred airline. For instance, the American Express Business Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, and Centurion Business Card from American Express may offer rebates of 25%, 35%, or 50%, respectively.

To check for eligible charges, log in to your Amex account, navigate to “Rewards & Benefits,” and select “Use points to cover card charges.”

3. Indirect Transfers: Leveraging Hotel Loyalty Programs

While Southwest doesn’t have direct airline partners, it does partner with hotel loyalty programs that are also Amex transfer partners.

3.1. Hotel Partners: Marriott Bonvoy and Choice Privileges

Two American Express hotel partners, Marriott Bonvoy and Choice Privileges, allow you to transfer points to Southwest Rapid Rewards.

3.2. Transfer Ratios and Considerations

Keep in mind that the transfer ratios aren’t 1:1. You’ll need to convert Amex points to hotel points and then hotel points to Rapid Rewards, resulting in a less favorable value. However, this can be a viable option if you’re looking to consolidate points from various programs.

3.3. Pooling Points from Other Programs

Consider pooling points from other transferable programs like Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One Rewards, Bilt Rewards, or Chase Ultimate Rewards to a common hotel partner (Marriott Bonvoy or Choice Privileges) before converting to Rapid Rewards.

3.4. Checking for Transfer Bonuses

Before initiating any transfers, check your Membership Rewards account for available transfer bonuses. These bonuses can significantly improve the value of your points.

3.5. Important Transfer Tip

Ensure you have a specific flight redemption in mind before transferring points, as transfers are typically immediate and irreversible.

4. Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Amex Points to Marriott Bonvoy and Southwest

4.1. Linking Your Accounts

Log in to your American Express account and ensure your Marriott Bonvoy account is linked. The program should display “Enrolled” below it. If not, follow the on-screen instructions to connect them.

4.2. Initiating the Transfer

Select “show details” for Marriott Bonvoy. You’ll be prompted to enter the number of points you wish to transfer.

4.3. Calculating the Required Points

Remember that you’ll be transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest at a 3:1 ratio. Calculate the total Amex points needed based on the Rapid Rewards points required for your flight. For example, if your flight costs 20,000 Rapid Rewards points, you’ll need to transfer 60,000 Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy.

4.4. Bonus Miles with Marriott Bonvoy

For every 60,000 points transferred from Marriott Bonvoy to Southwest, you’ll earn 5,000 bonus miles. This can help offset the less favorable transfer ratio.

4.5. Transfer Time

Allow up to 48 hours for the points to transfer from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy.

4.6. Transferring from Marriott Bonvoy to Southwest

Go to the Marriott Bonvoy transfer page.
Select “transfer points” and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
You may need to verify your identity with a code.
Select Southwest Rapid Rewards from the list of frequent flyer programs.
Enter your Rapid Rewards membership number.
Enter the number of points you want to transfer.
Confirm the transfer details and click “Transfer points now.”

4.7. Transfer Completion

The transfer should be completed within 24 hours, but it could be immediate.

5. Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Amex Points to Choice Privileges and Southwest

5.1. Transfer Ratio

The transfer ratio from Amex to Choice Privileges and then to Southwest is less favorable than with Marriott Bonvoy. You’ll receive 1,800 Rapid Rewards points for every 6,000 Choice Privileges points transferred.

5.2. Transferring to Choice Privileges

Follow the same steps as with Marriott Bonvoy to log in to your Amex account and transfer points to Choice Privileges. Remember to calculate the required points based on the transfer ratio.

5.3. Transfer Time

Allow up to 48 hours for the points to transfer from American Express to Choice Privileges.

5.4. Transferring from Choice Privileges to Southwest

Go to the Rewards Exchange page and log in to your Choice Privileges account.
Select “Exchange now” and confirm your identity with the code sent to you.
Link your Southwest Rapid Rewards account to Choice Privileges.
Enter your Southwest Rapid Rewards login information. It should now display “registered.”
Click “make an exchange” and enter the number of Choice Privileges points you want to transfer.
Click “exchange” to finalize the conversion.

5.5. Transfer Completion

The points transfer can take up to 24 to 48 hours to process.

6. Maximizing Value: Finding the Best Southwest Flight Redemptions

Finding the best Southwest flight redemption options depends on your travel needs and flexibility.

6.1. Using the Southwest Low Fare Calendar

Utilize the Southwest Low Fare Calendar to identify the most advantageous redemption opportunities based on your ideal travel dates. Flexibility in your schedule will significantly increase your chances of maximizing point value.

6.2. Ideal Flight Redemptions

Aim for short, one-way flights between major cities, such as Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS) or Phoenix (PHX). Remember that Southwest also offers international flights, providing opportunities to book tickets from South Florida to Mexico for fewer points, depending on the time of year and destination.

6.3. Real-World Examples

A recent search for one-way flights from LAX to LAS in February showed flights from 3,335 Rapid Rewards points and $5.60 in taxes. With a cash fare of $58.48, the points are worth approximately 1.6 cents apiece.
One-way flights from Miami (MIA) to Cancun (CUN) in March started at 5,478 Rapid Rewards points, plus $47.47 in taxes. With a cash value of $145.37, the redemption is worth about 1.8 cents per point.

6.4. Hawaii Flights

For trips to Hawaii, use Rapid Rewards points to save on flights, especially when departing from the West Coast. Southwest flies into major Hawaiian airports, including Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu, Kahului (OGG) on Maui, Lihue (LIH) on Kauai, and Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO).

6.5. Example: Seattle to Honolulu

One-way flights from Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL) start at 8,442 Rapid Rewards points, plus $5.60 in taxes in early March. Since the same ticket costs $143.60, the points represent 1.6 cents per point.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions About Booking Southwest Flights with Amex Points

8.1. Can I Use Amex Points for Southwest Flights?

Yes, you can use Amex points for Southwest flights, but the process is more complex than with partner airlines. You can either call customer service at 1-800-297-2977 or purchase your Southwest flight with an American Express credit card that earns Membership Rewards and use your points to cover the cost.

8.2. Can I Transfer Amex Points Directly to Rapid Rewards?

No, you cannot directly transfer Amex points to Rapid Rewards. You’ll need to transfer through a middleman like Marriott Bonvoy or Choice Privileges.

8.3. What Other Airlines Can I Transfer Amex Points To?

American Express Membership Rewards partners with 18 airlines and three hotel loyalty programs. Most airline partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio.

Here’s a list of airline partners:

Airline	Transfer Ratio
Aer Lingus AerClub	1:1
AeroMexico Rewards	1,000:1,600
Air Canada Aeroplan	1:1
Air France/KLM Flying Blue	1:1
ANA Mileage Club	1:1
Avianca LifeMiles	1:1
British Airways Executive Club	1:1
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles	1:1
Delta SkyMiles	1:1
Emirates Skywards	1:1
Etihad Guest	1:1
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles	1:1
Iberia Plus	1:1
JetBlue TrueBlue	250:200
Qantas Frequent Flyer	1:1
Qatar Airways Privilege Club	1:1
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer	1:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club	1:1

8.4. Can I Partially Pay for a Southwest Flight with Amex Points?

No, you cannot partially pay for a Southwest flight with Amex points. You must have enough Membership Rewards points to cover the entire cost.

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