When booking a flight with Southwest Airlines, understanding the different fare types is crucial to making the most of your Southwest Rapid Rewards points and ensuring you choose the right option for your needs. Southwest offers a range of fare types, each with varying benefits, flexibility, and pricing. Whether you’re flying for business, leisure, or a quick weekend getaway, understanding these fare types will help you maximize your travel experience.
In this blog, we’ll break down the three main fare types offered by Southwest Airlines: Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select. We’ll explore how each of these fares works, their key features, and how they align with Southwest Rapid Rewards benefits.
1. Wanna Get Away Fare
The Wanna Get Away fare is Southwest’s most affordable and budget-friendly option. Perfect for those who are looking to travel at a lower cost, this fare type provides access to low-priced tickets while earning you Southwest Rapid Rewards points based on the cost of the fare.
Key Features of Wanna Get Away:
- Lowest Prices: The Wanna Get Away fare is typically the cheapest option available, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
- No Change Fees: Southwest doesn’t charge any change fees for this fare, so if your plans change, you can adjust your flight without paying a penalty. You will, however, need to pay the difference in fare if your new ticket is more expensive.
- Points Earning: Like all Southwest fares, you’ll earn Rapid Rewards points based on the price of your ticket. This makes it an excellent way to earn points if you travel frequently.
- No Refundable Tickets: While you can change your flight, the Wanna Get Away fare is non-refundable. However, you can use your ticket towards future travel if you need to cancel.
When to Choose Wanna Get Away:
- You’re looking for the most affordable option.
- Your travel plans are flexible and you’re not worried about last-minute changes.
- You don’t mind non-refundable tickets and prefer lower upfront costs.
2. Anytime Fare
The Anytime fare offers more flexibility than the Wanna Get Away fare, and it is ideal for travelers who need more flexibility with their schedules. This fare provides a higher level of benefits, such as refundable tickets, and typically comes at a higher price point compared to Wanna Get Away.
Key Features of Anytime:
- Refundable: One of the standout features of the Anytime fare is its refundability. If your plans change and you need to cancel, you can get a full refund for the price of your ticket.
- Priority Boarding: With the Anytime fare, you get priority boarding. This ensures you have a better chance of securing your preferred seat, especially if you’re traveling with others or want to board early.
- Flexible Changes: If you need to change your flight, the Anytime fare allows you to make changes without any extra fees. Like the Wanna Get Away fare, you’ll only need to pay the difference in fare.
- Higher Points Earning: Because Anytime fares are more expensive, you’ll earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points compared to the Wanna Get Away fare. This can help you accumulate points faster for future flights or other rewards.
When to Choose Anytime:
- You want more flexibility with your travel plans.
- You prefer refundable tickets in case of last-minute changes or cancellations.
- You’re willing to pay a little extra for priority boarding and more points.
3. Business Select Fare
The Business Select fare is Southwest’s premium option, offering the highest level of flexibility and benefits. This fare is designed for business travelers and those who want the most convenient and comfortable flying experience with Southwest Airlines. While it comes at a premium price, it also offers the most perks, including additional Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
Key Features of Business Select:
- Fully Refundable: Like the Anytime fare, the Business Select fare is fully refundable, which is ideal for business travelers or anyone with changing schedules.
- Highest Priority Boarding: Business Select passengers are given the highest boarding priority, allowing you to secure the best seat available, including the first row of the plane.
- Additional Rapid Rewards Points: For every Business Select ticket purchased, you’ll earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points compared to the other fare types. This makes it a great option if you’re looking to rack up points quickly for future travel or rewards.
- Fly By Check-In: Business Select passengers enjoy the ability to check in quickly with priority security lines and quicker access to gate services.
- Free Premium Drink: As an added perk, Business Select passengers receive one free alcoholic beverage (or other premium beverage) during their flight, adding a touch of luxury to your travel experience.
When to Choose Business Select:
- You want the most flexibility with refundable tickets and easy changes to your travel plans.
- You prefer priority boarding and a more comfortable flying experience.
- You’re looking to maximize your Southwest Rapid Rewards points accumulation.
- You’re traveling for business and need additional perks to streamline your airport experience.
Comparing Southwest Fare Types: Which One is Right for You?
| Feature | Wanna Get Away | Anytime | Business Select |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest | Mid-range | Highest |
| Refundable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Change Fees | No, but fare difference applies | No, just pay fare difference | No, just pay fare difference |
| Priority Boarding | No | Yes | Yes (highest priority) |
| Free Drink | No | No | Yes |
| Points Earning | Standard | Higher | Highest |
Southwest Rapid Rewards and Fare Types
No matter which fare type you choose, you’ll always earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points with Southwest Airlines. The points you earn are based on the price of your ticket, and they can be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. By understanding the different fare types, you can align your travel preferences with the best fare for you while also maximizing your points.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fare type for your trip is essential to ensuring that your Southwest Rapid Rewards points are put to their best use. Whether you’re looking for the most affordable option with Wanna Get Away, the flexibility of the Anytime fare, or the premium benefits of Business Select, Southwest offers a range of fares to suit every type of traveler. By selecting the fare type that best fits your needs, you can enhance your travel experience, earn more points, and enjoy all the benefits that Southwest Rapid Rewards has to offer. Happy flying.
