You can now book Southwest flights through August 5, 2016!
And Southwest flies to many US cities that are spectacular destinations for summer.
You’re Huddled by the Fireplace Now, but We’ll Be Back to Warm Weather, Fresh Flowers, and Barbecues Before You Know It! And It’s Time to Start Planning Your Summer Getaway!
I’ll show you how to get Big Travel with Small Money on Southwest and give you some fun vacation ideas!
You can book flights on many airlines up to ~1 year in advance. But Southwest flights are only available ~6 to 8 months ahead of time.
Southwest’s Calendar Is Now Open Through August 5, 2016
Summer is a busy travel time, so it’s a good idea to book early before seats fill up! And what I like about Southwest is even if your travel plans aren’t set in stone, you can book now and make changes later.
That’s because you can change or cancel Southwest flights without penalty on paid and award flights.
Plus, there are no blackout dates and everyone gets 2 free checked bags!
Where Can You Go?
If you’re looking for ideas for your next getaway, here are a few great places you can visit this summer on Southwest:
1. San Francisco
Get a taste of the world in San Francisco, with authentic ethnic foods from around the globe. You could take a day trip up to Napa Valley for a sip (or two!) of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Or if you’re up for a little adventure, sail to Alcatraz and explore the place where some of the most notorious criminals in US history were once behind bars.
Whether You’re a Foodie, Wine Enthusiast, or History Buff, San Francisco Has a Little Something for Everyone!
Southwest has non-stop flights to San Francisco from many US cities including:
- Dallas
- Denver
- Phoenix
- St. Louis
2. Portland
If you love the great outdoors, Portland is a terrific city to add to your summer travel plans.
You can enjoy the incredible views of Multnomah Falls from the Benson footbridge. And down below in the Columbia River Gorge, there’s hiking, camping, biking, sailing, fishing, and more!
At 620 Feet, Multnomah Falls Is 1 of the Highest Waterfalls in the US
When the sun goes down, finish the day off trying out the local microbreweries (there are over 90 in the metro area!).
You can fly non-stop on Southwest to Portland from cities such as:
- Austin
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Washington – Baltimore
3. Seattle
Seattle is known for its rainy days. But in summer it’s actually quite nice with plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures.
There’s easy access to mountains, lakes, and fresh air. You can walk around Green Lake Park or do some taste testing at the local coffee houses.
And of course, no trip to Seattle is complete without stopping by the Pike Place Market.
Pike Place Market Is the Heart of Seattle With the Famous Fish Throwing and Gorgeous Waterfront Views
You can get to Seattle non-stop on Southwest from places like:
- Atlanta
- Denver
- Nashville
- San Diego
4. Chicago
Chicago is another city that has lots to offer in the summer!
The city has over 26 miles of public beaches for sunbathing. Ride the ferris wheel at Navy Pier, or rock out to live music at summer festivals like Lollapalooza.
Escape the Summer Heat on Chicago’s Beaches
Take a Southwest non-stop flight to Chicago from many cities including:
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Philadelphia
- San Diego
5. New York City
The Big Apple is a fantastic place to visit no matter what time of year. But the warmer temperatures make way for picnics in Central Park and fun at the Coney Island amusement park.
You can also visit any of the city’s 80+ museums or get off the beaten path and take a SHARK speedboat tour of the harbor.
Hold On to Your Hats! Why Walk Through New York City Like Everyone Else When You Can Cling for Your Life From the Bow of a Speedboat and View the Sites in a Fraction of the Time!?
New York City is just a Southwest flight away from cities like:
- Denver
- Houston
- Orlando
- Phoenix
Get 2 Award Flights for the Price of 1 for Up to 2 years!
Link: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 8 Easy Steps
Link: 3 Mistakes That Won’t Get You the Southwest Companion Pass
When you earn 110,000 Southwest points within 1 calendar year, you’ll get the Southwest Companion Pass and a friend or family member can fly with you for (almost) free for up to 2 years!
Earning the sign-up bonus with 2 Chase Southwest cards will get you most of the way there!
- Chase Southwest Plus Personal Card – 40,000 Southwest points when you spend $1,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening your account
- Chase Southwest Premier Personal Card – 50,000 Southwest points when you spend $2,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening your account
- Chase Southwest Premier Small Business Card – 50,000 Southwest points when you spend $2,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening your account
Emily and I don’t earn a commission on these cards, but we’ll always tell you about the best deals!
And here are some tricks for quickly earning the additional points you’ll need. Just be sure to avoid these 3 common mistakes!
Travel Is So Much Better When You Have Someone to Share It With! And the Southwest Companion Pass Lets You Bring Your Favorite Person Along for the Ride!
Need More Southwest Points for Award Flights?
You can transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you earn from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Plus directly to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio. Just keep in mind, this does NOT count towards the Southwest Companion Pass.
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Indirectly to Southwest From the Chase Freedom or Chase Ink Cash When You Have Cards Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred
You can also earn Southwest points by:
Bottom Line
Southwest flights are now available for booking through August 5, 2016. Many folks vacation during the summer, so now is a good time to book before flights fill-up and prices rise.
Summer is a wonderful time to visit places like San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and New York City. You’ll get 2 free checked bags and easy cancellations with Southwest.
And if you have the Southwest Companion Pass a friend or family member can join you for (almost) free anytime you fly Southwest for up to 2 years!
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