For years, Chase Ultimate Rewards points have been one of the best ways to book flights because of their great redemption rate. But there are some exceptions—one being Southwest Airlines.
Unlike other major airlines, Southwest flights never appeared in the Chase Travel Portal, meaning you had to transfer points to another program or book directly with cash.
But now, that’s changed. Chase has added Southwest flights to its travel portal for all users, which means you can finally redeem your Chase points directly for Southwest flights—no workarounds or point transfer required.
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Table of Contents
Why This Matters
1. More Flexibility with Chase Points – You no longer have to transfer points to Southwest (which locked you into their system). Now, you can book directly through Chase just like you would with Delta, United, or American Airlines.
2. Southwest’s Perks Stay the Same – Even when booking through Chase, you still get two free checked bags and no change fees—something other airlines rarely offer.
3. Use Points Based on Cash Prices – Chase’s portal lets you redeem points based on the cash price of the flight. This can be a better deal than transferring points if Southwest fares are low.
4. Southwest Points Devaluation – This is the big reason why this is relevant today in 2025. Southwest has significantly devalued its points in recent months, reducing both their redemption value and earning potential. As a result, Chase points are now a more valuable and flexible option for booking Southwest flights, offering better redemption rates and greater versatility.
How to Book a Southwest Flight with Chase Points
1. Go to the Chase Travel Portal (https://www.chase.com/travel)
2. Search for flights like normal – Southwest flights will now appear in your results.
3. Select your flight and choose “Pay with Points” to redeem your ‘Ultimate Rewards’ balance.
Final Thoughts
This update makes Chase Ultimate Rewards even more valuable, especially if you love flying Southwest (which I know so many of you do). You now have an easier, more flexible way to use your Chase points now without losing out on Southwest’s great perks.
If you’ve been sitting on Chase points, now might be the perfect time to start planning your next trip on Southwest.
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