When Does Southwest Have Sales and Best Flight Offers?
Before we get to all the hacks and tricks, let’s keep it simple first. The Southwest fares can change quite a lot, so the “best time to book” is more than just luck. In fact, it’s a combination of timing, fare drops, and staying aware of when Southwest releases new offers to customers. And after you get to know their pricing system, finding a cheap Southwest flight to book is way more doable than it seems. The key is simply in knowing where to look and when to look.
We’ll show you the most proven ways to determine when to book, how to seize those cheap tickets, and how to steer clear of unnecessary costs.
Does Southwest have sales?
Yes, Southwest Airlines does have sales. In fact, it shouldn’t be a shock that Southwest Airlines, the leading low-cost carrier in the United States, holds many sale events throughout the year, making domestic travel quite cheap.
You may want to know when is the best time to book with Southwest so as to maximize your savings. For more information, read ahead for all you need to know about when and how often Southwest Airlines has sales and how to make the most of your airline fare.
When does Southwest have sales?
You can get reduced Southwest fares year-round if you are good at finding where to look. Southwest Airlines runs a small number of planned sale events, during which you can get the best price on the flight that is right for you, regardless of your destination.
Consider these three major sales events while planning your flight shopping:
- Summer sale: Throughout the summer months, you will have several opportunities to grab cheap tickets. Each year, Southwest typically advertises one-way fares at $39 or $49 during the second week of June and the third week of August (though the exact dates vary each year).
- Cyber Monday sale: Southwest has started organizing major Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, which can be very long, lasting several days or even 24 hours. These sales are set within the limits of Black Friday (the day following Thanksgiving). You will be able to find one-way flights for less than $40 during the whole sale event.
- Tuesday sale: Southwest Airlines has a sale almost every Tuesday, if not every single day. The weekly sale is made public at 3 p.m. ET each week and runs until around Thursday. Be sure to register for the Southwest newsletter if you would like to be the first to receive notifications about the weekly sale event.
- Wanna Go Wednesdays: Southwest recently introduced another discount day, as part of its weekly list of promotions. Every Wednesday, specifically, you can get limited-time offers on flights.
How to save at Southwest Airlines
Want to save even more at Southwest Airlines? Well, we have a handful of additional tricks and tips that’ll get you ultra-low airfare (and even free airfare in some cases) without any additional effort on your part. So, are you ready to start saving?
1. Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar
The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar eliminates all the guesswork associated with trying to get the cheapest airfare possible on your desired route. It’s not necessary to clear your cache or use an Incognito Window to try to beat the system; instead, it’s a simple way to determine which dates, which flights, and which airport will get you the cheapest airfare possible. This tool works well if you are flexible enough to travel a few days before your initial flight dates.
2. Sign up for Rapid Rewards
If you are a frequent flyer on Southwest Airlines, then it’s a necessity to sign up for Rapid Rewards. This Southwest Airlines loyalty program rewards customers for their loyalty by earning points on all Southwest Airlines flights.
3. Get a Southwest Airlines co-branded credit card
While we wouldn’t recommend getting a credit card just for the sake of having one, if you’re looking for a new credit card, consider a Southwest Airlines co-branded credit card. You’ll get 2X the Rapid Rewards points on every dollar you spend on Southwest Airlines flights and a generous 6K points bonus after a year of using the card. There are also a ton of sign-up bonuses, which include up to 50K bonus points after meeting minimum spend requirements.
4. Watch for Southwest Airlines coupon codes
Southwest Airlines also has a ton of coupon codes and other offers running throughout the year. You should also check out different online platforms with Southwest Airlines discounts for the latest and greatest on that front.
5. Take advantage of the Southwest Airlines military discount
Active members of the military should also look into getting a Southwest Airlines military discount. The only catch is that you’ll need to be on active duty and present military identification during your flight.
6. Sign up for the Southwest Airlines newsletter
Your best bet for saving the most when it comes to domestic flights is going to be the Southwest Airlines newsletter. When the weekly Tuesday Sales are released, the newsletter subscribers are the first to know. They get the news sent directly to their inbox at 3 p.m. ET every Tuesday.
7. Purchase a Southwest gift card at a discount
You won’t find Southwest Airlines gift cards being sold at a discount every day of the week. However, you might be able to find one at Costco or Sam’s Club. The deal is: you pay $430 or $450 for a $ 500-value gift card.
8. Opt for a Wanna Get Away ticket
Southwest offers different types of fares to its customers, and you can choose the one that suits you best. The cheapest option is Wanna Get Away, while the most expensive is Business Select. Although the Wanna Get Away option cannot be refunded, you get flight credits in case you cancel your flight, you can change flights for free (you only pay the difference in fares), you get to carry two bags for free, and you get 6 times the amount in Rapid Rewards points on qualifying flights.
9. Sign up for text alerts
You can get all the latest news on flight deals from Southwest by sending FLYDEALS to 70139. You get all the latest news on the latest offers as soon as they come up.
Final thoughts: Saving money on Southwest
With the rise in fees, the increasing complexity of fares, and the influence of credit cards, Southwest is beginning to resemble the major airlines that once differentiated themselves from Southwest. With the right strategies, including using credit cards, Companion Pass strategies, and flexibility in booking, you can save a lot of money.
Southwest may be changing, but the savings are still there for those willing to look.
Related FAQs
Absolutely. The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Program is completely free and very simple to join. All you need to do is go on the official site, fill in a few key pieces of information, and you’re on your way to free flights and other perks at the airport and beyond.
Unlike some other programs, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points never expire. This means that even if you’re slower to start using your points, you’ll be able to use them towards discounted air travel whenever you’re ready.
There’s a lot of debate about whether or not there are better days of the week to score cheaper flights in general, but with Southwest Airlines, it’s definitely best to book between Tuesday and Thursday when the weekly sale prices are on.
While Southwest’s website does not specify a time, various airline experts online say 3 p.m. ET on a Tuesday is the best time to book Southwest flights. This is partly because Southwest may match a competitor’s earlier-in-the-day flight price.
As mentioned above, Southwest has two major sales each year, during which a 40% discount is offered. The only way to not miss out on these sales is by signing up for Southwest’s newsletter.