One of the biggest misconceptions for those new to the loyalty world is that the only way to earn points and miles is to fly frequently with an airline or carry airline credit card. But did you know you can earn points or miles toward future travel right from your living room by adding one simple step to your online shopping routine?
This simple step is to visit a online shopping portal and click on your carrier instead of going directly to the carrier’s website. Most major airlines offer shopping portals. But in this guide, I’ll discuss how you can earn points when you shop online with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
What is the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal?
You can earn points at hundreds of stores through Shop Southwest Rapid Rewards portal
If you already have a Southwest Rapids Rewards account, simply log in to the portal with the same username and password you used when booking your flight. You can then use the search box to find your favorite stores or products. You can also compare prices and earning rates. Be sure to look for stores that offer higher than normal earning rates, featured deals, or special offers.
Once you’ve selected a merchant, click on the store, product, or offer and the portal will redirect you to the store’s website. The store will notify the portal when you’ve made a purchase and will add points to your Southwest account. You’ll receive an email confirming when your points are credited, which can take up to 15 days.
Related: How to redeem your points with Southwest Rapid Rewards
Earning Rates Through the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
You’ll find hundreds of stores in the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal. The points-earning rate for each merchant changes frequently, but you’ll typically see rates ranging from 1 point per dollar to 20 points per dollar. Some merchants offer flat points for each qualifying purchase, like this 1,200-point offer for your first month of paying with TrustedHousesitters.
Consider clicking the heart next to some of your favorite merchants. Once you do, Southwest will email you when your favorite merchants are offering higher-than-usual earnings.
You can also search for a specific item or brand by clicking “Find a store or product” at the top of the page and typing in your query. Results will load as you type, so click on the one that appeals to you the most. For example, if I’m looking for a new Keurig, I might type “Keurig.”
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I could shop through keurig.com, which currently offers 2 points per dollar. But if Black Rifle Coffee Company carries the Keurig I want, I could earn 3 points per dollar on my purchase.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal calculates earnings based on the actual dollar amount of your qualifying purchases. Therefore, you will not earn points for taxes, special handling fees, returns, shipping costs, transportation costs, or undelivered products.
Related: How to Get the Best Seats on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal promotion
In addition to the standard earning rate, shopping portals like Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping regularly run promotions to encourage you to shop. Sometimes these promotions are for specific merchant.
However, sometimes promotions are site-wide and apply to purchases you make with multiple merchants. Bookmark our permanent page for more information. airline shopping portal promotion to learn about these deals as they happen throughout the year. Many of the shopping portal’s best promotions happen during back-to-school and Black Friday.
Related: I was anti-Southwest until I got one of their credit cards — now I’m a convert
Earn points to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass
If you are working to earn your dreams Southwest Companion PassUsing the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal is an easy way to earn additional qualifying points.
You must earn 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 flights in a calendar year to qualify. Earn the Southwest Companion Pass. But once you have the card, you can bring friends or family members on paid and award tickets for just the cost of taxes and fees.
Base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal, count as points eligible for a Companion Pass. However, if a Rapid Rewards shopping portal offer states that “reward points” are earned, these points will not be points eligible for a Companion Pass.
Related: 15 Lessons from 15 Years of Owning the Southwest Companion Pass
Best Credit Cards to Use with Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping
You usually want to use one of these best card for online shopping for purchases when you click through the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal. But using a Southwest credit card can make sense if you’re trying to earn a Southwest Companion Card or Earn Southwest Points for the upcoming redemption.
No matter which card you choose, check that provide credit card You may qualify if you want to maximize your purchases even more. These programs offer cardholders discounts or rewards when they shop with specific merchants, and you can accumulate multiple offers.
Related: Compare Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus Credit Cards
Tips for Using the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
Using the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal is relatively simple. But here are a few essential things to keep in mind:
- Click on the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal website link and purchase from the page that loads. Do not exit and come back later, as you may not earn Southwest points on your purchase.
- Make sure your web browser allows cookies. These cookies allow the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal to “track” your purchases and award points accordingly.
- Only use promotions or discount codes found on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. If you use other promotions or discounts, your purchase may not be eligible to earn points through Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping.
- Read the restrictions in the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal for your specific provider. Many providers will not count gift cards as eligible purchases, and some exclude certain products.
You can download Rapid Rewards Shopping Browser Extension to remind you whenever you shop on a site where you can earn Southwest points or get discounts. But if you want to compare your earning options, you should consider using shopping portal synthesis alike Refund screen. Shopping portal aggregators allow you to quickly compare a particular merchant’s earning rates across multiple online shopping portals.
Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Airline Shopping Portals: How to Earn Rewards Points and Miles
The last line
The Rapid Rewards shopping portal is a quick and easy way to earn Southwest Airlines points when you shop online with your favorite merchants. You can earn points on everyday purchases, from clothes to shoes to electronics. Even if you only earn an extra point or two for every dollar you spend, the points can quickly add up and get you closer to your next Southwest reward flight.
