Southwest is adding 10 new domestic routes starting April 12, 2016. This will give you more options when you’re looking for an award flight. And folks with the Southwest Companion Pass will have even more places to visit!
Remember, you can earn Southwest points with their cards. Or by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I’ll explain!
10 New Southwest Routes Make Your Southwest Points and Southwest Companion Pass Even More Valuable. And There Will Be 2 New Ways to Visit New York!
I’ll show you which routes will be available!
What Are the New Routes?
Link: Southwest New Routes Announcement
Starting April 12, 2016, Southwest will add 10 new routes to its US network. From that date, you’ll be able to fly non-stop between:
- Dayton and Chicago
- Grand Rapids and Chicago
- Flint and Chicago
- Greenville-Spartanburg and Atlanta
- Las Vegas and New York (Newark)
- New York (Newark) and Orlando
- St. Louis and Des Moines
- St. Louis and Pittsburgh
- St. Louis and Wichita
- Wichita and Phoenix
Note: The new route between St. Louis and Pittsburgh starts earlier, on March 10, 2016.
Note: Southwest will also offer year-round non-stop service between St. Louis and Seattle. This used to be a seasonal route.
Midwest Is Best! Many of the New Routes Are Short-Haul Flights Between Midwestern Cities
Many of these flights are short-haul flights, so this will give folks more options once British Airways changes their award chart in early February 2016.
Save ~50% on Your Next Award for Two!
Link: Chase Southwest Plus
Link: Chase Southwest Premier
Link: Chase Southwest Premier Business
When you have the Southwest Companion Pass, a friend or family member flies with you for (almost) free every time you fly Southwest for up to 2 years! That’s like getting 2 tickets for the price of one!
With the Southwest Companion Pass You Can Travel Together for up to 2 Years and Only Pay for 1 Ticket on Paid OR Award Flights! Unless You’re a Bird – In That Case, You Can Always Fly Free!
You have to earn 110,000 Southwest points within a calendar year to get the Southwest Companion Pass. It’s the best deal in domestic travel! Be sure you understand exactly how it works so you can earn it!
You can currently earn 50,000 Southwest points when you complete the minimum spending on the Chase Southwest Premier and Premier small business card, and 40,000 Southwest points with the Chase Southwest Plus card for a limited time.
So it’s now easier to earn the Companion Pass by signing-up for 1 personal and 1 small business card! Just be sure to watch out for these 3 mistakes that won’t get you a Companion Pass!
Why You Might Consider a Small Business Credit Card
Keep in mind, you don’t need millions in revenue to qualify for a small business card. In fact, there are small businesses you may not realize are enough to get you approved.
Do You Coach, Teach Yoga, Photograph for Clients, or Create Designs for Websites? You Might Have a Small Business and Not Even Know It!
And you do NOT need an Employer Identification Number to complete your application. If you have a sole proprietorship you can use your social security number.
The Southwest Companion Pass is the 1 reason why Emily and I fly Southwest almost exclusively within the US. Plus, you get 2 free checked bags on every flight and if your plans change, you can cancel for a full refund!
Need More Southwest Points?
Link: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Link: Chase Ink Plus
Remember, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to Southwest.
So it’s very easy to top off your account if you’re very close to an award flight! Folks with the Southwest Companion Pass can fly with a friend or partner on any ticket, including award flights!
You’ll also earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you use your Chase Freedom or Chase Ink Cash, but you can only transfer them to airlines and hotels like Southwest or Hyatt if you also have the Chase Ink Bold, Chase Ink Plus, or Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Note: Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest do NOT count toward the Companion Pass!
Bottom Line
Southwest is adding 10 new domestic routes starting April 12, 2016!
This is terrific news for folks who fly Southwest. And especially if you have the Southwest Companion Pass. This will give you more options when British Airways raises their prices on short-haul flights next year.
It’s easy to earn the Southwest Companion Pass because the Chase Southwest Premier and Premier small business cards are offering 50,000 Southwest points when you complete the minimum spending requirements. And the Chase Southwest Plus card has a limited-time sign-up bonus of 40,000 Southwest points.
Having additional routes makes your Southwest Companion Pass even more valuable. And if you need more Southwest points, you can easily top off your account with Chase Ultimate Rewards points!
Are you excited about any of the new routes?
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Comments
- Woohoo! Thanks for the heads up on the new routes — very ... by Travel Reward Credit Cards Fan
- Also, any trouble getting personal and business card the same ... by Maddy
- I applied for the business premier card in Oct 2013. I received ... by Maddy
- The DSM to STL is a new short haul but at the expense of Des ... by Jennifer
- One more thing——-Southwest also offers NONSTOP flights BACK ... by Norm S.