how to use southwest points for car rental

[MacGia]

You can use Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book rental cars directly through the Southwest website or app, but the value is generally poor. Your points are typically worth around 0.8 to 1.2 cents each when redeemed for rentals, which is significantly lower than the value you get from flights. For most travelers, it's smarter to use a credit card that earns transferable points or to book the rental car with cash and use your points for a flight instead. The process is straightforward: log into your Southwest account, select "Car" from the booking options, enter your travel details, and you'll see available rental options with both cash and points prices displayed.

The primary partners for these bookings are major companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. However, you're not booking directly with the airline's loyalty program in the traditional sense; Southwest uses a third-party travel portal powered by Sabre. This means you won't earn airline points or rental car loyalty credits for these bookings, and the rental terms are governed by the car company, not Southwest.

Steps to Book a Rental Car with Southwest Points:

1. Log In: Access your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest website or mobile app.
2. Select 'Car': Navigate to the car rental section alongside the flight search.
3. Enter Details: Input your pickup location, dates, and times.
4. Compare Prices: Browse the results, which will show the daily rate in both dollars and the equivalent points required.
5. Book: Select your vehicle and complete the booking using your points balance.

Before you commit, always do a quick value check. Compare the points price to the cash price. If the cash price is $50 and the points required are 5,000, your point is worth 1 cent. If you can get more than 1.5 cents per point on a Southwest flight, using points for the rental is a less optimal choice. This approach is best for someone who has a small points balance they can't use for a flight and needs a last-minute rental.

Consideration	Key Details	Why It Matters
Point Redemption Value	~0.8 - 1.2 cents per point	Lower than flight redemptions (often 1.5+ cents per point).
Rental Partners	Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty	Wide availability, but booked via a third-party portal.
Loyalty Earnings	No Rapid Rewards points or rental status credits earned on the booking.	You miss out on earning toward Companion Pass or A-List status.
Cancellation Policy	Varies by rental company; often free cancellation up to 24-48 hours before.	Check the specific terms during booking for flexibility.
Insurance & Coverage	Southwest does not provide primary rental car insurance.	You must rely on your personal auto insurance or credit card benefits.

[Cory]

Honestly, I looked into it once. You can do it on their website, but the exchange rate isn't great. You get a much better deal using those points for a flight. I'd only consider it if I had a handful of points left over after booking a flight and really needed a car. Otherwise, just pay for the rental and save your points for where they really shine.

[MacOwen]

As a frequent traveler, my advice is to use a credit card that offers primary rental car insurance and book the car with that card. Using Southwest points locks you into a third-party booking, which can complicate things if you need to modify the reservation or have an issue. The points are far too valuable for flights, especially when chasing a Companion Pass. This method is a last-resort option, not a primary strategy.

[LeGiselle]

For a family vacation, the convenience of booking a flight and a car together on the Southwest app is tempting. You'll see the total cost in points right away. However, do the math first. We found that using points for our rental would have used up points that could have covered one of the kids' flight tickets later. We now always pay for the rental car separately to maximize our family travel budget.

[MatteoMarie]

The key is understanding the opportunity cost. Southwest points are a dynamic currency. When you use them for a car, you're fixed to a low value. When used for flights, especially during peak times or on high-demand routes, their value can double. I treat my points as a flight-only fund. I put all my rental car spending on a card that earns transferable points, which often have dedicated, better-valued travel portals for car rentals.