Southwest launches Getaways platform offering vacation bundles with rewards points

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Southwest launches Getaways platform offering vacation bundles with rewards points

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Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Connect with Bob Jordan on LinkedIn (Opens in a new browser tab) | Southwest Airlines

By Sky Industry News

Aug 24, 2025

Southwest Airlines has introduced a new vacation packages platform, Getaways by Southwest, allowing customers to earn Rapid Rewards points not only on flights but also on hotel stays and car rentals. The Dallas-based airline announced that travelers who book through the new site will receive 5 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on bundled bookings.

The launch marks Southwest’s entry into non-air travel bookings, a move that aligns with broader industry trends as airlines seek to capture more of their customers’ travel spending. Through Getaways by Southwest, users can book flights, hotels, car rentals, and ground transportation in one transaction. This approach is similar to what is offered by established online travel agencies such as Expedia or Travelocity but is now available directly through Southwest’s own channels.

Customers booking vacation packages will be able to check two bags for free when flying with Southwest. This reinstates the carrier’s previous “bags fly free” policy for those using the Getaways platform, following recent changes where checked bag fees were introduced for other types of bookings.

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Initially, the platform will focus on over 30 popular domestic and short-haul international destinations served by Southwest. These include Las Vegas, Hawaii, Cancun, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Orlando, and Montego Bay in Jamaica.

Southwest’s global reach has been expanding through partnerships with other airlines. Earlier this year, it launched collaborations with Icelandair and China Airlines based in Taiwan. At an investor event last fall in Dallas, CEO Bob Jordan said: "You'll eventually be able to earn and redeem Rapid Reward points to long-haul international destinations through our expanding list of airline partners and through our new Getaways product." He also suggested that further expansion into long-haul international routes could be possible in the future.

At present, customers cannot redeem Rapid Rewards points when booking vacation packages via Getaways by Southwest; however, a spokesperson indicated that this feature may be added later. Other policies include no change fees for bookings made through the platform and travel credits valid for 18 months if a getaway is canceled.

Travelers interested in using the new service can access it at southwest.com/vacations.

This development comes as Southwest continues to implement several changes across its operations. The airline recently introduced checked bag fees and updated its loyalty program earlier this year. It also refreshed its cobranded credit cards last month and is preparing its fleet for assigned seating and extra-legroom options set to launch in January 2026.

"You'll eventually be able to earn and redeem Rapid Reward points to long-haul international destinations through our expanding list of airline partners and through our new Getaways product," Jordan said in September 2024 at Investor Day in Dallas.