Can You Transfer Southwest Points to Another Person?

If you’ve ever stared at your Southwest Rapid Rewards account thinking, “Can you transfer Southwest points to another person?”, you’re not alone. Maybe your spouse has just enough points to book a free flight, and you’re sitting on a nice, fat pile of rewards. Or maybe you’ve got a generous heart and want to gift a getaway. Admirable! But before you hit that “Transfer” button—pause.

Because yes, you can transfer Southwest points, but it’s a little like going to the movies and realizing the popcorn costs more than the ticket. Let’s break it down before you part with your hard-earned rewards.

Yes, You Can Transfer Southwest Points—Here’s How

Southwest does allow Rapid Rewards members to transfer points to another person, but only within its program. That means you can’t send points to another airline or convert them into hotel stays. It’s Rapid Rewards to Rapid Rewards, or nothing.

You’ll need:

• The recipient’s full name as listed on their Rapid Rewards account
• Their Rapid Rewards number
• Their email address

You can transfer points in increments of 500 or 1,000, depending on promotions. But the minimum amount you can transfer is 2,000 points, and the maximum per day is 60,000 points.

And the process? Thankfully, it’s simple and quick:

1. Head to the Southwest account and log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
2. Click on Rapid Rewards → Buy or Transfer Points.
3. Choose “Transfer Points.”
4. Input the recipient’s information and how many points you want to transfer.
5. Pay the fee (yes, there’s a fee—more on that in a minute).
6. Confirm and submit.

The points will usually land in their account within 72 hours, though it’s often faster.

Let’s Talk About the Fee (Brace Yourself)

Now for the part where things get less fun: the fee.

Transferring Southwest points isn’t free. It’ll cost you $5 for every 500 points you want to transfer. That means if you transfer 2,000 points (the minimum), you’re looking at a $20 fee. Want to be extra generous and send 60,000 points? That’s a $600 value… and a $600-level regret when you realize it could’ve been avoided.

To put it in perspective: Southwest points are worth around 1.4 to 1.5 cents per point when redeemed for flights. So if you’re transferring 10,000 points, they’re worth about $140–$150 in flight value—but you’ll pay $100 in fees to transfer them. That’s like paying extra to gift someone a pizza slice… from your pizza.

So… Is It Worth Transferring Points?

In most cases? Not really.

The fees are high, and Southwest offers a much better alternative: just book the flight for them directly from your account.

Yes, that’s allowed. You don’t have to transfer points to someone so they can book a flight—you can just use your points to book a ticket for anyone, anytime. They won’t even know you didn’t transfer the points unless you tell them (or unless they ask you to pay the transfer fee and you say no).

A Better Way: Pool Your Points

If you’re the designated travel planner in your household (read: the one who remembers logins and doesn’t ignore emails from airlines), it makes a lot of sense to centralize points in one account.

Why?

• Simplicity: One account = one booking = one confirmation number.
• Companion Pass perks: If someone in your family holds the Southwest Companion Pass, they can book themselves and fly someone else free—no point juggling required.
• Avoid the transfer fees: Enough said.

Tricks to Avoid Transferring Points (and the Fees)

If you’re still tempted to transfer points, hold up—there are a few tricks to avoid that fee:

1. Book Directly Using Your Points

We mentioned it earlier, but it’s worth repeating: You can use your points to book a flight for anyone. Just log in and make the reservation in their name.

2. Strategically Collect Points in One Account

Instead of letting your family earn points in separate accounts through shopping portals, credit cards, and travel, funnel everything into one account where possible. That way, you won’t be stuck needing a transfer.

3. Use the Companion Pass

If one person in the household has the Companion Pass (which allows you to add a designated person to fly free with you), you can reduce how many points you need in the first place—and skip the transfer drama altogether.

When Transferring Points Might Make Sense

There are a few rare occasions when transferring points might be worth the fee:

• You’re just shy of booking an urgent flight.
• It’s a gift, and you want the recipient to choose their travel plans.
• You’re feeling generous and hate booking for others (we all know a person like this).

Just go in with eyes open—and maybe a calculator.

What NOT to Expect

Before you make the move, here are a few expectations to adjust:

• Transferred points do NOT count toward earning the Companion Pass.
• You can’t reverse a transfer. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
• You can’t transfer points back to your account. It’s not a boomerang.

So, again: think before you transfer. And if you’re unsure, maybe just buy them a coffee and say, “Sorry, the fees were too high.”

Can You Transfer Southwest Points to Another Person?

So, can you transfer Southwest points to another person? Yes—you absolutely can. But should you? That’s where it gets tricky.

Unless it’s necessary, the high fees usually make this option the least rewarding way to use your rewards. You’re almost always better off booking flights for friends and family directly from your account. It’s faster, cheaper, and doesn’t come with that “why did I pay for this?” regret.

Got Extra Southwest Points? Cash Them Out Instead

We’ve helped over 47,000 clients—individuals, businesses, and even Fortune 500 companies—turn miles into money. With instant quotes and lightning-fast payouts, we make selling your unused airline miles feel like first-class service.