If you’ve ever tried to book Southwest flights through third-party travel sites, you may have noticed it’s not always easy. Southwest is known for keeping things simple by offering direct bookings through their website and app only. But here’s the million-dollar question: Can you book Southwest flights through Capital One Travel? The short answer? Yes! But there are some details that might surprise you.
In this post, we’ll cover 5 surprising facts about booking Southwest through Capital One Travel that you need to know before your next trip!
1. Yes, You Can Book Southwest – But There’s a Twist!
First things first, let’s get this out of the way: Yes, you can book Southwest flights through Capital One Travel, but it’s not as straightforward as booking other airlines. The key is knowing how to do it correctly.
Here’s the deal: Southwest doesn’t show up on major travel booking platforms, including Capital One Travel’s search tool. That’s because Southwest has an agreement to only display flights on their own platform. So, while you won’t see Southwest flights directly listed, you can still use your Capital One miles to book them.
You’ll need to book your Southwest flight directly through the airline’s website, and then use your Capital One Travel miles to cover the cost after the fact. Confusing? Maybe a little, but it’s totally worth it when you consider the benefits.
2. Redeem Your Miles with Ease
One of the best parts about using Capital One Travel for booking Southwest flights is that you can redeem your miles easily to cover your travel expenses. Here’s how it works:
- Book your Southwest flight directly on the Southwest website or through their app.
- After purchasing the flight, log in to your Capital One Travel account.
- Find your transaction in the “Redeem a Purchase” section.
- Use your miles to erase the cost of the flight!
It’s super simple and lets you take advantage of Southwest’s exclusive deals while still benefiting from your Capital One miles. Plus, you can redeem your miles for other travel expenses, like hotels, car rentals, and even vacation packages!
3. Score Price Protection with Capital One Travel
Here’s a surprising perk you might not know about: Capital One Travel offers a price match guarantee. This means if you book a Southwest flight (or any other airline for that matter) and find a lower price elsewhere within 24 hours, they’ll refund you the difference.
Even though you have to book Southwest directly, you can still enjoy peace of mind knowing that you’re not overpaying for your trip. If you find a better deal after booking, Capital One has your back. Just make sure to check their terms and conditions to see if your flight qualifies for price protection.
4. Enjoy Extra Perks When You Use Your Capital One Card
Using your Capital One credit card for travel doesn’t just rack up points; it also comes with exclusive perks. When you book your Southwest flight and use your Capital One card, you could unlock extra benefits like:
- Travel accident insurance: Just by using your Capital One card to book your flight, you’re often automatically covered in case of an accident during your trip.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: If your bags go missing or are delayed, Capital One may help you cover the cost of your essentials.
- Extended warranty on travel purchases: Booking travel gear or accessories with your Capital One card? They may extend the manufacturer’s warranty.
These perks make traveling a lot smoother and can save you from a major headache if something goes wrong during your trip.
5. Get the Best of Both Worlds: Southwest Flexibility and Capital One Rewards
Southwest is known for its customer-friendly policies, especially its no change fees and free checked bags. The great news? You still get all those perks when you book your Southwest flight directly through their website and use Capital One miles to cover the cost later.
Southwest’s flexibility means you can change or cancel your flight without incurring a penalty, and your points or credits remain intact. Combine that with the Capital One rewards you earn on the purchase, and you’ve got the perfect travel combo.
Why miss out on these benefits when you can have both? Just remember to redeem your miles within 90 days of making the purchase, and you’re good to go.
How to Maximize Your Capital One Miles with Southwest Flights
Now that you know how to book your Southwest flight through Capital One Travel, let’s talk strategy. Here are a few tips to maximize your miles and save big on your next trip:
- Look for off-peak flights: Southwest offers some of the most competitive rates during non-peak times. Snag a deal, and you’ll need fewer miles to cover your trip.
- Bundle and save: Use Capital One Travel to book your hotel or rental car along with your flight. You’ll earn more points and can even unlock exclusive discounts.
- Keep an eye on Southwest sales: Southwest frequently runs sales where you can score flights at rock-bottom prices. Combine that with your Capital One rewards, and you’ll be practically flying for free.
How Capital One Travel’s Price Match Guarantee Works with Southwest Flights
Now, you might be wondering how to make sure you’re getting the best deal when booking Southwest flights using your Capital One Travel miles. After all, no one wants to overpay for a flight! Here’s where Capital One’s Price Match Guarantee can come in handy, even if you’re booking directly through Southwest.
Although you can’t directly compare Southwest prices on Capital One Travel’s platform, you can still use their Price Match Guarantee after booking with Southwest’s website. If you find a better deal within 24 hours on a comparable flight, you can submit a claim to Capital One, and they’ll refund the difference! This little-known perk helps you rest easy knowing you’re not missing out on savings.
So if you’re on the hunt for the best deal, always double-check prices elsewhere to see if you qualify for a price match.
Maximize Your Travel Experience with Capital One’s Travel Perks
Here’s another secret weapon that Capital One cardholders can use: exclusive travel perks. These perks are available when you book flights (including Southwest) or other travel-related expenses using your Capital One credit card.
Some of the top benefits you can take advantage of include:
- Travel Accident Insurance: If the unexpected happens during your trip, you’re covered for any accidental injuries when booking with your Capital One card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: If your Southwest flight is part of an international trip, Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on your purchases, making it a great card to use abroad.
- 24/7 Travel Assistance: Get assistance for lost baggage, stolen credit cards, and other travel mishaps with 24/7 customer service provided by Capital One.
By using these perks, you not only make your trip smoother but also get peace of mind throughout your journey. You can save money and reduce travel hassles in the process!
Why You Should Book Southwest Flights Now with Capital One Travel
Still on the fence? Let’s break down why using Capital One Travel to book your next Southwest flight is a smart choice:
- Flexibility: Southwest’s policies on free checked bags and no change fees make flying with them a breeze. Combine that with the ability to use Capital One miles to cover the cost, and you’re golden.
- Maximized Rewards: Every time you book travel with your Capital One card, you’re earning points. Whether you’re redeeming them for flights, hotels, or car rentals, you’re getting more bang for your buck.
- Price Protection: Don’t worry about paying more than you need to. If you find a lower fare after booking, Capital One’s Price Match Guarantee has your back.
- Seamless Redemption: Capital One makes it easy to redeem miles to cover your Southwest flights, even if you have to book the flight directly through Southwest. Just a few clicks and your flight is paid for using your rewards.
- Exclusive Travel Perks: Take advantage of all the extra travel benefits that come with using a Capital One card, like travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
How to Book Southwest Flights Using Capital One Travel: Step-by-Step Guide
To make things even easier, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to booking your Southwest flights using Capital One Travel’s miles:
- Go to Southwest.com and book your flight as usual. You’ll need to enter all your information and purchase the flight directly on their website.
- Log into your Capital One account: After your purchase is complete, sign in to your Capital One Travel account.
- Navigate to “Redeem a Purchase”: Find your Southwest flight under recent purchases.
- Apply your Capital One miles: Choose to redeem miles to cover the cost of the flight. Capital One will credit your account, effectively erasing the purchase.
- Enjoy your flight! You’ve successfully used your miles to pay for your trip—without the hassle of third-party bookings.
Pro Tip: Keep an Eye on Southwest Flash Sales
One major advantage of booking with Southwest is that they often run flash sales that offer incredible discounts on flights. Sometimes these fares are so low, you’ll barely need any miles to cover the cost!
Here’s how to stay ahead of the game:
- Sign up for Southwest’s email alerts: Be the first to know about upcoming sales.
- Check the “Low Fare Calendar”: Southwest’s site offers a monthly view where you can compare fares across days.
- Pair it with Capital One miles: When you find a super low fare, your miles stretch even further, meaning you can book more flights for less.
By combining these sales with your Capital One rewards, you could be flying to your next destination for close to nothing!
Capital One Travel vs. Other Travel Platforms: How Does It Stack Up?
You might be wondering how Capital One Travel compares to other travel platforms when booking Southwest flights. While you can’t book Southwest directly through most platforms, here’s why Capital One still stands out:
- No Booking Fees: Many travel booking sites charge a fee for booking flights, especially low-cost airlines like Southwest. With Capital One, there are no extra fees for using your miles.
- Flexible Miles Redemption: Some other platforms limit how you can redeem points or miles. With Capital One, you have more flexibility to redeem your miles for any travel purchase, including Southwest flights.
- Customer Support: Capital One’s travel customer service is known for being responsive and helpful, which is a major plus if you run into any issues with your trip.
So while other platforms may be a bit more straightforward for other airlines, Capital One’s flexibility and perks make it a top contender for Southwest travelers.
FAQs: Booking Southwest Flights Using Capital One Travel Miles
Before you start planning your next trip, let’s address some frequently asked questions that may pop up when booking Southwest flights with Capital One Travel miles:
1. Can I book Southwest flights directly on the Capital One Travel portal? Unfortunately, no. Southwest Airlines doesn’t allow bookings through third-party travel portals, including Capital One Travel. However, you can book directly on Southwest’s website and then use your Capital One miles to cover the cost by redeeming them as a statement credit.
2. How do I redeem Capital One miles for Southwest flights? It’s simple! After booking your flight directly on Southwest.com, log into your Capital One account, go to the “Redeem a Purchase” section, and apply your miles toward the cost of the flight. Your miles will be converted into a credit on your account.
3. Does Capital One offer bonus rewards for booking travel? Yes! Depending on your Capital One card (like the Venture Rewards or Venture X), you can earn bonus miles on travel purchases, even when booking Southwest flights. You’ll also rack up miles that you can redeem for future flights, hotels, and more.
4. Can I combine my Capital One miles with Southwest Rapid Rewards points? No, the two reward systems are separate. However, you can redeem your Capital One miles to cover the cost of Southwest flights and still earn Rapid Rewards points on those flights, maximizing your benefits from both programs.
5. Is there a fee for using Capital One miles to cover a Southwest flight? Nope! There are no hidden fees for redeeming your miles, and you can use them anytime for travel purchases, including Southwest flights.
Pro Tip: How to Stretch Your Capital One Miles with Southwest Companion Pass
If you’re serious about maximizing your travel rewards, you might want to consider the Southwest Companion Pass. This is one of the best travel perks around, and it allows you to bring a companion with you for free (minus taxes and fees) every time you book a flight, whether with cash or points.
Imagine this: You book your flight with Capital One miles, then use the Companion Pass to add a friend or family member for just the cost of taxes and fees. That’s two flights for the price of one, which means you can stretch your Capital One miles even further!
To get the Companion Pass, you’ll need to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. But trust us—it’s worth it if you fly often!
Making the Most of Capital One Travel for All Your Adventures
While booking Southwest through Capital One Travel involves a few extra steps, the benefits far outweigh any hassle. From earning flexible miles to using Capital One’s Price Match Guarantee and enjoying exclusive travel perks, it’s clear why so many savvy travelers are choosing this strategy.
But it doesn’t stop at Southwest. Capital One Travel gives you access to millions of other travel options, from hotels to rental cars, and other airlines too! By leveraging your Capital One miles, you can easily save on your entire trip, making your dream vacation more affordable than ever.
Ready to Fly? Here’s Your Next Step!
Now that you’re armed with all the insider info, it’s time to take action! Booking your next Southwest flight with Capital One Travel is not only smart but also incredibly rewarding.
Here’s a quick recap of why it’s worth your while:
- Redeem your Capital One miles to cover Southwest flight costs.
- Take advantage of Capital One Travel’s perks, like no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance.
- Use the Price Match Guarantee to ensure you always get the best deal.
- Fly with peace of mind knowing you’re covered by Capital One’s travel benefits.
- Maximize your rewards by pairing Capital One miles with Southwest’s Rapid Rewards points.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether it’s a spontaneous getaway or a well-planned vacation, Southwest and Capital One have got you covered. Book your flight, redeem your miles, and get ready to explore the world without breaking the bank!
Final Thought: Fly Smart, Save Big
When it comes to booking Southwest flights with Capital One Travel, you’re not just booking a flight—you’re making the most of your travel experience. By combining flexibility, rewards, and unbeatable travel perks, you can fly smarter, stretch your miles further, and enjoy your adventures even more.
Now go ahead—book that flight, redeem those miles, and let the adventures begin! ✈️🌍