You cannot transfer Southwest points to another person for free, but you can give them to a family member or friend through a paid transfer or by adding them as an authorized user on your account.
Southwest Airlines does not allow free point transfers between accounts. If you want to move points from your account to someone else's, you must pay a fee. The cost is $5 per 1,000 points transferred, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points ($5) and a maximum of 100,000 points per transfer ($500).
There is one exception: if the other person is a household member and you add them as an authorized user on your Rapid Rewards account, they can use your points without a transfer happening. This costs nothing but requires that person to have access to your account.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest charges $5 per 1,000 points to transfer points between accounts, with no free transfer option available.
- You can add a household member as an authorized user on your Rapid Rewards account so they can book flights using your points without paying a transfer fee.
- Transfers take up to 24 hours to complete after you submit the request and pay the fee through Southwest's website.
- The person receiving points must have an active Southwest Rapid Rewards account before you can transfer points to them.
- You can transfer points only to people you know; Southwest does not allow transfers to strangers or for resale.
How to transfer points by paying the fee
To transfer points to another person's account, log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Go to the "Manage My Account" section and select "Transfer Points." You will need the recipient's name and Rapid Rewards account number. Enter the number of points you want to transfer (between 1,000 and 100,000) and confirm the fee, which Southwest will charge to your credit card on file.
After you submit the transfer request and payment is processed, Southwest typically completes the transfer within 24 hours. The points will appear in the recipient's account. You will receive a confirmation email, and so will the person receiving the points.
Southwest requires that the recipient have an active Rapid Rewards account before you transfer points to them. If they do not have one, they can open an account for free on Southwest.com before you start the transfer.
Adding an authorized user to avoid transfer fees
If the person you want to give points to lives in your household, you can add them as an authorized user on your Rapid Rewards account. An authorized user can book flights and use your points without you having to transfer them. This option costs nothing and requires no fee per transaction.
To add an authorized user, log into your Rapid Rewards account and go to "Manage My Account." Select "Authorized Users" and follow the prompts to add a household member. You will need their name, date of birth, and relationship to you. Southwest may ask for proof that you live together, such as a utility bill or lease showing both names.
An authorized user can make bookings on your behalf and use your points, but they cannot transfer points out of your account or change account settings. If you want to remove an authorized user later, you can do so at any time through the same menu.
What Southwest does not allow
Southwest does not permit point transfers to people outside your household for free, and the company has rules about who can receive transferred points. You cannot transfer points to someone you do not know personally, and Southwest prohibits the sale or resale of points. If Southwest suspects you are selling points or transferring them to strangers, it may freeze your account.
You also cannot transfer points as a gift to a business, charity, or organization. Points are tied to individual Rapid Rewards accounts and can only move between people with personal accounts.
Alternatives if you want to give someone travel without transferring points
If you do not want to pay the transfer fee and the person does not live with you, you can buy them a Southwest gift card instead. Gift cards can be purchased in any amount and sent by email or mail. The recipient can use the card to book their own flights without needing access to your points.
You can also book a flight for someone else using your points and have them travel on that reservation. You would need their name and date of birth to make the booking, and they would travel as a passenger on your reservation. This does not transfer points to their account, but it lets them fly using your points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer points to someone who does not have a Southwest account yet?
No. The recipient must have an active Rapid Rewards account before you can transfer points to them. They can open a free account on Southwest.com in a few minutes, and then you can proceed with the transfer.
How long does a point transfer take?
Southwest usually completes transfers within 24 hours after you submit the request and pay the fee. In rare cases it may take longer, but you should see the points in the recipient's account by the next business day.
Can I transfer points to my spouse or child?
Yes, if they have a Rapid Rewards account. You can transfer points to any person with an active account by paying the $5 per 1,000 points fee. If they live with you, adding them as an authorized user is free and lets them use your points without a transfer.
What if I want to give someone points but do not want to pay the transfer fee?
You can book a flight for them using your points, or buy them a Southwest gift card. You can also add them as an authorized user if they live in your household. These options avoid the transfer fee.
Can I transfer points back to my own account if I transferred them by mistake?
No. Once points are transferred to another account, Southwest does not reverse the transfer or refund the fee. Make sure you have the correct recipient account number before you submit the transfer request.