How to transfer credit card points to Southwest Rapid Rewards
Last updated October 30, 2026 · By Kyle Burrows
Rapid Rewards is Southwest's program. Like JetBlue, there's no award chart: the points price follows the cash fare, so a cheap flight costs few points and an expensive one costs a lot. There are no blackout dates, and Southwest doesn't charge a fee to cancel an award. The fare you pick still decides how flexible the booking is.
Only two of the big US card programs transfer to Southwest, both at 1:1.
Which bank points transfer to Southwest
| Bank points | Ratio | How long it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1:1 | Usually instant. Chase says most arrive by the next business day and allows up to 7 business days. |
| Bilt Points | 1:1 | Bilt says allow up to 72 hours for Southwest. |
Amex, Capital One, Citi, Wells Fargo and Rove don't transfer to Southwest.
Banks sometimes run transfer bonuses to Southwest. Check the transfer screen on the day you move points.
Before you move any points
- Open a free Rapid Rewards account at southwest.com if you don't have one. Your Rapid Rewards number is in your account.
- Make the names match on your bank account, Rapid Rewards account and ID.
- Book from the right account. Points from a cancelled award go back to the account holder who booked.
- Find the flight first. Search southwest.com with points selected, note the points price, and compare it with the cash price. Transfers can't be undone.
- Allow time with Bilt. Bilt can take up to 72 hours to reach Southwest, and the points price can change while you wait.
How to transfer from each bank
Chase. Open Ultimate Rewards on a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred, find the option to transfer points to travel partners (Chase has moved this menu around, so look for the word Transfer), and pick Southwest Rapid Rewards. Transfers go in 1,000-point blocks.
Bilt. In the app, go to Rewards, then Travel rewards, and tap Transfer. Choose Southwest Rapid Rewards and link your Rapid Rewards number. Transfers go in 1,000-point blocks, and Blue status members have a 2,000-point minimum. For Southwest, Bilt says to allow up to 72 hours.
Check that the points arrived
Log in at southwest.com and check the points balance in your Rapid Rewards account. If nothing shows after the usual time, check your bank's transfer history for the number and name you used. Don't send a second transfer.
How to book the award on southwest.com
- Sign in at southwest.com or in the Southwest app.
- Start a flight search and choose Points instead of dollars.
- Enter your airports, dates and travelers, and search.
- Pick your flights and your fare. The fare matters for changes (more on that below). Basic is the cheapest and the least flexible.
- Enter each traveler's name, date of birth and gender exactly as on their ID.
- Pay the taxes and fees by card. On US flights they start at $5.60 one-way.
- Save the confirmation number.
If you need to call, the Southwest number is 1-800-435-9792.
The fees to know
- Taxes: from $5.60 one-way on US flights; international flights cost more.
- Bags: checked-bag fees now apply on most Southwest fares, including award tickets. Budget for bags if you're checking any.
- No cancellation fee on any fare.
Changes and cancellations
- Southwest doesn't charge a fee to cancel an award, on any fare.
- Cancel at least 10 minutes before departure. If you don't, the points and taxes can be lost.
- On a round trip with a Basic leg, you can only cancel both legs together, or upgrade the Basic leg first. Basic fares also don't get free same-day changes.
- On Choice Preferred and Choice Extra awards, Southwest says cancelled points go back to the account holder who booked. On other fares, check what the cancellation screen offers before you confirm.
Do Rapid Rewards points expire?
No. Southwest's terms say Rapid Rewards points don't expire, but they're lost if the account is closed.
Mistakes I see most
- Booking Basic when plans might change.
- Transferring from Bilt the day before you want to book. It can take up to 72 hours.
- Booking in someone else's account when you'll be the one managing the trip.
- Not comparing with the cash price. Points follow the fare, so a cheap cash fare can be better paid in cash.
Sources I checked
- Chase: How to transfer Ultimate Rewards points
- Bilt: Transfer partners and minimums
- Bilt: Southwest partner page
- Southwest: Rapid Rewards terms and conditions
- Southwest: Fare information and rules (cancel rules, bag fees)
- The Points Guy: Southwest Rapid Rewards guide
- Frequent Miler: Award change and cancellation fees by program
- Frequent Miler: Transfer partner master list
See all transfer partners in my chart