Dan Whitmer, Rewards Programs Analyst
@dan_whitmer
The easiest way to earn 50,000 Rapid Rewards points is usually through a credit card sign-up bonus. You can also accumulate points by flying with Southwest, booking hotels and rental cars through partners, or using the Rapid Rewards shopping portal.
How to Earn 50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Use a Southwest Co-Branded Credit Card
You could earn a big sign-up bonus—sometimes worth tens of thousands of Rapid Rewards points—if you meet a certain spending threshold in the first few months. Plus, you earn between 1 to 4 points per $1 spent, depending on where you use the card. Spending on Southwest flights and purchases typically earns the most, while everyday expenses earn at a lower rate.
You can compare the latest Southwest credit card offers on WalletHub.
Earn Bonus Points by Referring Friends
You can also earn up to 100,000 bonus points per year by referring friends to any Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn 20,000 points for each friend who gets approved.
Fly with Southwest
You earn 2 to 28 Southwest points for every dollar spent on a Southwest Airlines flight (excluding taxes and fees). The exact number of points you get depends on factors like the fare type, ticket cost, and your Rapid Rewards membership status.
Stay at partner Hotels
You earn at least 1 point per $1 spent on hotel reservations through the Southwest Hotels platform, with the potential to earn up to 10,000 points per stay. Just provide your rewards number to get your points.
Car Rentals
Rapid Rewards members earn 600 points on every qualifying rental at participating locations like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and others worldwide by requesting Rapid Rewards points during the rental process. The primary driver's Rapid Rewards number must be provided at time of reservation.
Enroll in Rapid Rewards Dining
When you enroll and opt in to receive email communications, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 spent at participating restaurants and bars. If you don’t opt in for email, you’ll earn 1 point per $2 spent. Plus, earn an additional 10 points for each dining review you complete.
You’ll also get a 500 bonus points when you reach 1,500 points from dining and reviews (one-time only). After that, you’ll earn 300 bonus points for every additional 1,000 points you earn. There's no overall limit to how many points you can earn—just check the restaurant’s page for any specific limits.
Rapid Rewards Shopping
Shop at over 1,100 stores like Apple, Macy's, Sephora, Staples, and more through the Rapid Rewards Shopping platform. You’ll earn at least 0.5 points per $1 spent on purchases.
If you're interested in learning more, check out WalletHub’s in-depth review of Southwest Rapid Rewards.
People also ask
How much is 50,000 Southwest points worth?
50,000 Southwest points are worth around $745 when redeemed for airfare. While Southwest Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when redeemed for flights, they’re also redeemable for gift cards, hotel stays, merchandise, and more.
Value of 50,000 Southwest Points vs. The Competition
| Rewards Program | Value of 50,000 Points/Miles | Average Value per Point/Mile |
| $745 | 1.49 cents |
How many points do you need for a free flight on Southwest?
You need at least 3,000 to 50,000 points for a free flight on Southwest, depending on the distance, which airport you fly into, and the dates of your trip. For example, you can redeem 7,000+ Southwest points for a free one-way award flight from New York to Chicago.
How Many Points You Need For a Free Flight on Southwest
- New York to Chicago: 7,000+ points
- New York to Los Angeles: 11,000+ points ...
How do I get the Southwest credit card with 50,000 bonus points?
You can get the 50,000 bonus points from an eligible Southwest credit card by meeting the spending requirement within the specified timeframe. More specifically, you can get 85,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
Southwest Credit Card Bonus Rewards in 2025
- Southwest Premier Card: 85,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, 6,000 points every account anniversary.
- Southwest Plus Card: 85,000 points for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, 3,000 points every account anniversary.
- Southwest Priority Card: 85,000 points for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months . Plus, 7,500 points every account anniversary....
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