Can You Transfer Chase Points to Southwest?

Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred directly to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, providing a popular method for maximizing travel value. This allows cardholders to convert their earned points into airline currency for booking flights. Understanding this transfer helps travelers leverage their rewards for airfare.

Eligibility and Key Transfer Details

Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards is exclusively available to cardholders of specific Chase credit cards. Eligible cards typically include the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, which all earn Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to travel partners. Points earned on other Chase cards, such as the Freedom or Freedom Flex, can also become transferable if they are first moved to one of these premium cards.

Points transfer at a straightforward 1:1 ratio, meaning one Chase Ultimate Rewards point becomes one Southwest Rapid Rewards point. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer amount of 1,000 points. It is important that the name on your Chase Ultimate Rewards account precisely matches the name on your Southwest Rapid Rewards account to ensure a successful transfer. While most transfers typically process instantly, it is advisable to allow up to seven business days for points to appear in your Southwest account, although delays are rare.

Initiating the Points Transfer

The process of transferring points begins by logging into your Chase Ultimate Rewards online portal. Once logged in, navigate to the “Travel” section, which is usually found in the top navigation bar. From there, select the “Transfer points to partners” option to access a list of available loyalty programs.

Choose Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards from the list of airline partners and enter your Southwest Rapid Rewards account number, ensuring the points are directed to the correct account. After inputting the account number, you will specify the exact number of points you wish to transfer, adhering to the 1,000-point increment rule. Before finalizing, review all the details on the confirmation screen, including the recipient account and the amount, as transfers are generally irreversible. Upon confirming, the transfer is initiated, and you should typically see the points reflected in your Southwest account very quickly.

Redeeming Transferred Rapid Rewards Points

Once your Chase points have successfully transferred and appear in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, you can proceed to book flights directly on the Southwest Airlines website or through their mobile application. Begin by logging into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. When searching for flights, ensure that the “Points” option is selected rather than “Dollars” to view fares in points.

Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program operates on a revenue-based system, meaning the number of points required for a flight is tied to the cash price of the fare. This approach means that more expensive flights will require more points for redemption. A key benefit of the Rapid Rewards program is its “no blackout dates” policy, allowing you to use your points for any available seat on any Southwest flight.