How to Transfer Southwest Points to Another Person for Free

The Rapid Rewards frequent-flier program of Southwest Airlines is said to stand out for its simplicity and flexibility, but it does not proudly parade for point transfers.

If you’ve investigated moving your Southwest points to someone else’s account, you’ve probably noticed it’s not a free service. Southwest charges $5 for every 500 points you transfer. For anyone hoping to gift a few thousand points to a friend or family member, those fees can add up quickly.

That leads us to the core question how to transfer Southwest points to another person for free. While Southwest doesn’t allow fee-free transfers through their platform, there are a few smart, safe, and fully compliant workarounds that achieve the same goal—without paying a cent.

Why Direct Transfers Aren’t Free

Let’s start with a quick reality check. If you go through the official “Transfer Points” process on the Southwest website, you’ll be asked to:

• Log in to your Rapid Rewards account
• Select “Buy or Transfer Points” under your account options
• Enter the recipient’s details
• Choose the number of points to transfer (minimum: 2,000)
• Pay the applicable fee via credit card

This process is straightforward, but it’s not free. Southwest imposes a mileage fee (usually $5 per 500 points) even when you’re transferring to close family members. But here’s where things get interesting: transfers might not be necessary at all.

The Smarter (and Free) Alternatives

Although a free, direct transfer isn’t possible, there are completely legitimate ways to help others benefit from your Rapid Rewards points. The key is to think beyond the literal transfer option.

1. Book a Flight for Someone Else Using Your Points

One of the easiest and most effective ways to “transfer” your points—without transferring them—is to simply book the flight for the other person from your account.

Southwest allows you to use your points to book travel for anyone, whether they are a Rapid Rewards member. Just search for the flight while logged into your account and enter the passenger’s details at checkout.

This method has several advantages:

• No transfer fee
• Full booking control from your account
• Ability to modify or cancel if needed

You can manage changes or cancellations for the person you booked for—super convenient if you’re helping someone less tech-savvy.

2. Use the Companion Pass to Maximize One Booking

If you or someone in your household has earned the Southwest Companion Pass, that’s another powerful way to “share” your points without transferring them.

Here’s how it works:

• Book a flight for yourself using points
• Add your designated companion (spouse, friend, family member) to fly with you for free (just pay taxes/fees)
• No need for two separate redemptions or accounts

This strategy essentially stretches your points twice as far, letting two people travel for the price of one award ticket.

3. Consolidate Earnings in a Single Household Account

One of the best long-term strategies for avoiding transfers is centralizing all your point-earning activity into one family member’s account.

This can include:

• Credit card spending
• Southwest dining and shopping portal activity
• Hotel and car rental partner earnings

By focusing all activity into a single account, you minimize the need to move points around later. The person with the points can then book flights for others as needed.

This approach is particularly helpful for families who frequently fly together or have one primary trip planner.

Additional Tips to Avoid Transfer Fees

If the alternatives above don’t suit your situation, consider a few of these ideas to avoid paying Southwest’s point transfer fees:

• Use Cash for Cheap Fares: If a fare is low ($49 or less), you might be better off paying with cash and saving your points for a more valuable redemption.
• Top Off with a Small Purchase: Instead of transferring, check if buying a small amount of points directly into the recipient’s account is cheaper than paying the full transfer fee.
• Avoid Grey Market Transfers: Don’t be tempted by third-party “free transfer” sites—these can violate Southwest’s terms and result in suspended accounts.

It’s About Strategy, Not Just Transfer

So, how to transfer Southwest points to another person for free? The honest answer is—you can’t do it through a direct transfer on the Southwest website without incurring a fee. But you can share the benefits of your points with others by using smarter, fee-free methods.

Booking flights on someone’s behalf, using the Companion Pass, or consolidating points activity in one account are all safe and savvy ways to help others fly—no credit card required.

Not Planning to Use Your Points? Turn Them into Cash