Southwest Airlines flights are now available on the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal. While this integration seems promising, offering the potential to leverage Chase points for Southwest flights, there are several considerations before booking.
Southwest Airlines plane on the runway, emphasizing travel and flight readiness
The Initial Appeal of Booking Southwest Through Chase
The initial excitement stems from the ability to potentially maximize the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Traditionally, Southwest isn’t considered an ideal Chase transfer partner. This is largely because the point value for flights remains consistent regardless of Companion Pass ownership, and that value is often less than what you’d get redeeming through the Chase portal.
Consider a flight from Albany, NY, to Orlando, Florida. A nonstop flight might cost $104 for the Wanna Get Away fare or $124 for Wanna Get Away Plus. Booking directly with Southwest would require 6,879 points + $5.60 or 8,423 points + $5.60 respectively.
However, using a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the same Wanna Get Away fare might cost 6,933 points through the Chase Travel portal – slightly more points, but without the additional $5.60 in taxes. The Wanna Get Away Plus fare could even be cheaper at 8,266 points, also without extra taxes.
Furthermore, booking through Chase earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points, as it’s treated as a revenue fare. This could result in earning around 500 Southwest points for the Wanna Get Away fare, increasing the incentive to book through Chase.
Is Booking Southwest Flights Through Chase Travel a Good Deal? The Drawbacks
Minimum Pricing on Chase Travel Portal
A significant drawback emerges when considering cheaper Southwest flights. The Chase Travel portal seems to impose a minimum ticket cost, leading to overpaying for the lowest-priced fares.
For example, a flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles might cost $39 for a Wanna Get Away fare and $54 for Wanna Get Away Plus when booked directly through Southwest.
Screenshot highlighting the price difference between booking Southwest flights directly versus through the Chase Travel portal
However, through the Chase Travel portal, the same flight could cost $79 for Wanna Get Away and $84 for Wanna Get Away Plus. This represents a substantial increase compared to booking directly.
This pricing anomaly appears to affect fares below $79, where Chase imposes a minimum price. For fares at or above $79, the Chase Travel portal matches Southwest’s pricing.
Change and Cancellation Limitations
Another significant disadvantage lies in the limitations regarding changes and cancellations when booking Southwest through Chase.
While booking a Wanna Get Away Plus fare directly through Southwest offers the flexibility of same-day changes and transferable flight credits upon cancellation, these advantages are diminished when booking through Chase.
Although the booking appears in your Southwest account when you add your Rapid Rewards number, attempting to change or cancel the flight reveals the limitations.
You cannot make self-service changes to itineraries booked via Chase Travel. Instead, you’re directed to contact Chase Travel for assistance, adding inconvenience to the process.
Screenshot illustrating the message received when attempting to cancel a Southwest flight booked through Chase Travel, indicating that funds are held by Chase
Cancellation also presents issues. Travel funds from cancellations are held by Chase Travel and can only be used through Chase. This negates the advantage of transferable Southwest flight credits offered by Wanna Get Away Plus fares.
Can a Companion Pass Holder Add a Companion?
Fortunately, adding a companion with a Southwest Companion Pass remains straightforward when booking through Chase Travel. By including your Rapid Rewards number during booking, you can add your companion as usual through your Southwest account.
Screenshot showing the "Add Companion" option for a Southwest flight booked via Chase Travel
Bottom Line: Proceed with Caution When Booking Southwest Through Chase Travel
The inability to easily change flights and receive transferable Southwest flight credits makes booking via Chase a less appealing option. While the integration initially promises a better way to use Chase points for Southwest flights, the limitations outweigh the benefits for those seeking flexibility. Until these issues are resolved, it’s advisable to avoid booking Southwest flights through Chase Travel and book directly with Southwest instead.
