The Southwest frequent flyer program, “Rapid Rewards” is a great program to look into if you’re looking to get rewards while flying.  Even if you don’t fly that much, you may still want to consider it, as you’re going to get something, rather than nothing.

Let’s take a view at what you’re going to get with this program and how it is going to match up with the other programs on the market today.

How the Rewards Work

For every 8 round trips that you take within 24 months, you’re automatically going to get a free flight.  If you decide that you want to fly business, you’re going to get free flights even faster.  When you fly more than 750 miles or more, you will get double credits.

You can also get credits outside of Southwest.  You can get credits with major rental car companies, hotels, as well as other major companies in the retail and restaurant sector.

How much does it cost?

The Rapid Rewards program is 100% free, but if you tie in your Southwest credit card, you may find that this has an annual fee.

What can I get with my rewards?

With the Rapid Rewards program, you can get more than just an airline ticket. If you don’t want an airline ticket, you can get items such as rental cars, restaurant vouchers, retail gift cards, and much more.  This makes it great for those looking to get more than just airline tickets.

Are there blackout dates?

Yes, they have blackout dates and will vary by year.  You can get more information on their FAQ page.  They generally fall around the holidays.

Do my miles expire?

Yes, they will expire after 24 months of non-use.  If you’re not going to use your miles, you may always put your miles toward things such as restaurants and more.

I would recommend that you highly consider the credit card to tie into your frequent flyer card, because you’re going to get more miles on your dollar.

If you’re interested in signing up for this frequent flyer program, you can sign up with them on the official Rapid Rewards page.