Rapid Rewards points worth 2, 3 or even 4 cents each

Source: The Points Guy

Summary

Southwest Airlines introduced variable award pricing, offering some deals with high point values. On Aug. 28, a limited-time sale allows booking flights through 2027 at reduced point costs. Some flights, like PHX to LAS, can be booked for 3,000 points, offering 4.3 cents per point. Flights to Hawaii and other destinations also show value. The sale ends Aug. 31 and requires booking 21 days in advance. Blackout dates apply around major holidays.

Our Reading

The escape is carefully planned.

Flights from PHX to LAS available for 3,000 points. Routes to HNL priced at 10,000 points. Deals on connecting flights from BOI to LGB. Companion pass holders get extra value. Blackout dates limit some travel windows.

Southwest’s points can be worth 4 cents each. Cash prices stay normal. Low Fare Calendar helps find deals. Limited-time sale ends soon.

Travelers must book early. Some routes are more valuable than others. Value varies by flight time and destination.

Escapes are structured, not spontaneous.

Author: Evan Null

Rapid Rewards points worth 2, 3 or even 4 cents each

In some initial searches with this sale, we found award flights available at prices that deliver double and triple the usual value.

Based on TPG’s August 2026 valuations, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth 1.25 cents per point. In my personal Southwest flight bookings for 2026, my redemptions fall near that mark. The best value I’ve been able to get so far this year was 1.63 cents per point, but I’m sometimes stuck booking at just 1.1 cents per point. Occasionally, I have spotted deals at 1.8 or 1.9 cents per point, but those are usually at highly undesirable flight times.

So, beating 2 cents per point in value is a great deal. Beating 3 cents per point is even better. How does 4 cents per point sound? We found it.

A Nov. 4 flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is currently priced at $136 for a Basic fare but can be booked with Rapid Rewards points for just 3,000 points. That’s a value of 4.3 cents per point.

Southwest deal details

This points-only sale runs for a short four-day window and only applies to flights booked at least 21 days in advance. Eligible flights include those in fall, winter and early spring. (Southwest’s current calendar is open through June 2, 2027.) Note, though, that there are expected blackout dates around peak travel periods like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The full deal restrictions and details are as follows:

The deal technically only applies to nonstop flights, but we’ve found some comparable deals on connecting itineraries. As a result, it’s worth pricing out any and all routes you’re considering.

How to search for deal availability

Finding the sweet spots with this deal definitely takes a bit of effort, but the potential payoff makes it worth it.

If you are in the habit of searching for cash prices first, it’s very easy to miss the deals. During this sale, cash prices appear entirely usual and normal. In some cases, cash prices are even a bit higher than they were a few days ago during a different Southwest sale.

To ensure you see the discounts, switch over to the points search results. I found searching with the Low Fare Calendar particularly helpful, as using it lets you view a wide range of dates and easily toggle between the cash and points views.

The clock is ticking, so if this deal is of interest, act fast. It’s only available until 11:59 p.m. PDT on Aug. 31.