Booking Southwest flights with your Capital One travel rewards is easier than you might think, and it’s a fantastic way to stretch your travel budget further! Southwest Airlines is known for its affordable fares and customer-friendly policies, and by using Capital One travel rewards, you can make your trip even more cost-effective. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to booking Southwest flights through Capital One Travel. Let’s dive in!
1. Check Your Capital One Miles Balance
Before you start booking, log in to your Capital One account and check how many miles you’ve earned. Your balance will help you determine if you can cover the entire cost of your Southwest flight or if you’ll need to combine miles with cash.
Why It Matters: Knowing your balance gives you a clear idea of your travel budget and helps you plan more effectively. Plus, Capital One’s flexible redemption options mean you can often get creative with how you spend those miles!
2. Find Your Southwest Flight
Southwest flights aren’t directly listed in the Capital One Travel portal, but there’s a simple workaround. Visit the Southwest website and search for the flights you want to book. Take note of the flight details, like the flight numbers, departure times, and total cost.
Pro Tip: Southwest is known for its “Wanna Get Away” fares, which are often the most affordable. By booking these lower-cost flights, you’ll need fewer miles and can save your balance for even more travel.
3. Book the Flight Using Your Capital One Card
Once you’ve chosen your flight on Southwest, go ahead and purchase it with your Capital One card. Make sure to use the same card that earns miles, like the Capital One Venture or VentureOne, so you’ll still be accumulating points on your purchase!
Why This Works: Capital One lets you use miles to “erase” travel purchases. By buying the flight directly, you have complete control over the purchase and can redeem miles for statement credit afterward.
4. Redeem Miles Through Purchase Eraser
After booking your Southwest flight, head to your Capital One account and locate the “Purchase Eraser” feature. Find your recent Southwest purchase and select the option to use your miles to cover the cost. This method allows you to redeem miles for a statement credit and “erase” the purchase.
Why It’s Awesome: With Purchase Eraser, you can apply miles to cover all or part of your flight cost, giving you a flexible way to make your travel more affordable. And since there are no blackout dates, you can travel whenever you like!
5. Enjoy the Perks of Southwest and Capital One
With your flight booked and miles redeemed, you’re all set to enjoy a fantastic journey with Southwest and Capital One. Here’s what to expect:
- Free Checked Bags: Southwest lets you check two bags for free, saving you from extra baggage fees.
- Flexible Changes: Southwest has no change fees, meaning you can easily adjust your plans if needed.
- Rapid Rewards Points: Even when you book with Capital One miles, you can still earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points, adding even more value to your trip.
Bonus Tips for Making the Most of Capital One Miles on Southwest Flights
Here are a few extra tips to get the best value when booking Southwest flights with Capital One:
Book in Advance for Better Deals
While Capital One’s flexibility is perfect for last-minute bookings, planning your Southwest flight in advance can help you secure lower fares and save miles.
Use Miles for Other Travel Perks
If you’re short on miles for the full cost of a Southwest flight, you can still use them for other travel expenses like hotels or rental cars. This way, you’re maximizing every dollar spent on your trip.
Split Payments with Miles and Cash
If you don’t have enough miles to cover the entire cost of your flight, Capital One allows you to pay part in miles and part in cash, making travel more accessible.
How to Make Your Southwest-Booked Trip Even More Rewarding
Now that you know the steps to redeem miles for Southwest flights, here are a few additional ways to get the most out of your trip. These tips can help you stretch your budget even further and enhance your travel experience.
1. Sign Up for Southwest Rapid Rewards
Even if you’re booking with Capital One miles, it’s worth signing up for Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program. You can still earn Rapid Rewards points on eligible purchases during your trip, like in-flight Wi-Fi, Southwest-branded credit card usage, or other partner purchases. These points can eventually go toward future flights or perks like priority boarding.
2. Leverage the Companion Pass
If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, the Southwest Companion Pass could save you a ton of miles (and money) in the long run. Once you qualify, a designated travel companion flies with you for free (except for taxes and fees) on all Southwest flights for the remainder of the year you earned it and the following calendar year.
3. Pack Light and Take Advantage of Free Baggage
Southwest’s two free checked bags policy is a big money-saver if you’re packing for an extended stay or carrying bulky items. Since many airlines charge for baggage, Southwest’s policy means you can avoid this additional expense and use your budget for more enjoyable parts of your trip.
How Capital One Miles and Southwest Make Last-Minute Trips Easy
One of the biggest advantages of this combo is the flexibility for last-minute getaways. Because Southwest doesn’t charge change fees and Capital One lets you redeem miles as a statement credit after the purchase, you have complete freedom to adapt your plans without added costs. This setup is ideal for travelers who value spontaneity and flexibility.
Step-by-Step Recap: Making Your Booking Smooth
To wrap things up, here’s a quick recap of the process to make sure everything goes smoothly:
- Check Miles Balance: Confirm how many miles you have in your Capital One account.
- Find the Best Southwest Deal: Search for your ideal Southwest flight, especially focusing on Wanna Get Away fares.
- Use Your Capital One Card to Pay: Book directly through Southwest using your Capital One miles-earning card.
- Redeem with Purchase Eraser: Apply your miles to erase the cost from your statement, covering some or all of the flight expense.
- Enjoy the Trip Benefits: Southwest’s free bags, flexible flight policies, and earnable Rapid Rewards points make for a hassle-free experience.
FAQs: Booking Southwest with Capital One Miles
Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions that can help if you still have uncertainties:
Can I combine Capital One miles with Rapid Rewards points?
No, Southwest and Capital One operate separately. However, you can use Capital One miles to cover the cost of your flight, while still earning Rapid Rewards points on eligible purchases made during your Southwest journey.
Are there blackout dates when booking Southwest flights with Capital One miles?
No blackout dates! Capital One’s Purchase Eraser lets you cover any travel purchase made with your card, no matter the date. This is ideal for peak travel seasons when prices and restrictions are often high.
Can I use Capital One miles for Southwest upgrades?
While Capital One miles cover your basic flight purchase, any upgrades or Southwest perks, like EarlyBird Check-In, would need to be paid for separately. However, if you use your Capital One card, you can also redeem miles for these purchases afterward.
Final Thoughts on Booking Southwest with Capital One Miles
Booking Southwest flights with Capital One miles is one of the easiest ways to save on travel without sacrificing flexibility. With no blackout dates, Southwest’s perks, and Capital One’s flexible redemption options, you’re set to make the most out of every mile and dollar.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip, remember these five easy steps. Whether it’s a last-minute beach escape or a well-planned family vacation, Capital One miles and Southwest Airlines are a powerful duo for affordable, stress-free travel. Now, go ahead—unlock the secret and book that flight! Safe travels!