Southwest Airlines is out with its first big sale of the year, selling flights this winter and spring flights for up to 40% off – whether you pay in cash or redeem Rapid Rewards points.
With this latest Southwest sale, you can save as much as 40% on Southwest flights through May. The discount applies to travel from Jan. 30 all the way through May 22. But you'll need to book soon: This sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PST this Thursday, Jan. 11.
Exactly how big of a discount depends on where and when you're flying:
- 40% off flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays within the mainland U.S.
- 30% off all flights Hawaii or Puerto Rico
- 30% off for flights on Mondays and Thursdays within the mainland U.S.
- 25% off flights on Saturday within the mainland U.S.
- 20% off flights on Friday and Sunday within the mainland U.S.
Just keep in mind that a handful of dates are blacked out from that sale – see the full list below!
This sale can help you find some record-low fares whether you want to book a quick domestic getaway, take a bucket list trip to the Hawaiian Islands, or nearly anywhere else in the U.S. Just head to the Southwest sale page and pick your home airport – or better yet, simply pull up Southwest's low fare calendar to get a month-long view and find the best deals.
The sale promo code is WOW, but in most cases, the promo code should automatically apply to any search. Head to Southwest's sale page and start looking!
Already have a Southwest flight booked for later this year? You can easily rebook it online and pocket the difference as a Southwest credit – and those never expire!
The deals vary from airport to airport, but you'll see up to 40% off the base fare when applying the promo code on the cheapest Wanna Get Away fares as well as Wanna Get Away Plus tickets. Hawaii is arguably the sweetest spot in this Southwest sale, slashing roundtrip flights from the mainland to the Hawaiian islands as low as just $216 roundtrip!
In fact, dozens of U.S. cities had great availability flying to Maui (OGG) … so much so that we sent this flight deal alert to our Thrifty Traveler Premium members rounding up the best fares.
But the savings stretch from coast to coast. For instance, if you're in the mountains and want an escape to the desert this spring, Southwest has you covered there, too. All sale fares have the original price crossed out in the screenshot below.
And since using Southwest Rapid Rewards points hinges on the cash price, these lower fares mean you could get an even better deal using points and miles to book a Southwest flight this year or early next. Southwest is a Chase transfer partner, so you can send Chase points from cards like the *chase sapphire preferred* to get the Southwest points you need to take these great deals and make them (nearly) free.
You won't need many points to make it happen. Just look at these flights from Denver (DEN) to Palm Springs (PSP), for example.
Keep reading to see how to take advantage of this sale before it ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Thursday, Jan. 11.Â
How to Book this Southwest Sale
Here's what you need to know to take advantage of this sale:
- Head to the Southwest sale page and be sure to use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar to start searching for fares up to 40% off. On the low fare calendar, sale fares will appear underneath a crossed-out original fare.
- Enter promo code WOW if it doesn't apply automatically
- Lowest prices are Wanna Get Away fares, which can still be changed or canceled for a travel credit for free. Wanna Get Away Plus tickets are also eligible for up to 40% off
- Also applies to award fares booked using Southwest Rapid Rewards points (remember, Southwest is a Chase transfer partner!)
- Eligible for travel from Jan. 30 through May 22, 2024, aside from blackout dates.
- In the continental U.S., blackout dates include travel from March 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30-31.
- Flights to Florida are blacked out March 1, 7-8, 15, 22, and 28-29.
- Flights to Hawaii and Puerto Rico are blacked out on Feb. 15-18 and Mar. 7-31.
- Must book by Thursday, Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Read more:Â What Sets Southwest Apart – The Good and the Bad
Want to take it to the next level? Fares booked through this sale also qualify for the Southwest companion pass – whether you book using cash or points! That means you could score a deeply discounted ticket and then bring your companion for nearly free, paying only the taxes and fees on the ticket.
Bottom Line
Southwest is out with its first big sale of 2024, offering up to 40% off fares across the country all winter and spring – whether you're paying cash or using points.
This sale is especially useful for flights to the Hawaiian Islands but can be used on nearly any flight you're planning to take this winter or spring. You can even modify your existing Southwest reservations to save even more with this sale.
But be sure to book by this Thursday, Jan. 11 at midnight PST before this Southwest sale ends!
Hi – I have never received a Mistake Fare alert! Do they happen very rarely or am I looking in the wrong place??
Hi Barbara! Are you referring to Thrifty Traveler Premium? If you’re a subscriber, you’ll get any and all mistake fares, unadvertised flash sales, and international flight deals to your email. They are not posted to the site. Mistake fares are rare, but when they happen, you’ll get a Premium notification via email immediately!
How can I become a Thrifty Traveler Premium client so I can receive notices on flash sales and other unadvertised flight sales?
Hi Luz! For domestic flash sales like these, sign up for our free daily newsletter: https://thriftytraveler.typeform.com/to/Ke5dVU
For international flash sales and unadvertised flight deals we find, we’d love to have you join Premium! Here’s the link to do that: https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/
Happy travels!
have a trip booked and it’s $300 more than what i paid for it in April. Not sure what is on sale
This is one of the rare times, a Southwest promo is really a beneficial promo!!!!