Southwest Airlines has launched a yearly subscription that allows Rapid Rewards members to buy miles throughout the year at a predetermined price with a bonus.
Buying Rapid Rewards points has never made any sense. Even less now when they were further devalued last week because the awards are priced dynamically, and you always end up paying significantly more for points than what they are worth.
You can access Southwest’s page for buying points here.
Here are the available packages:
- Package 1: $618.72 for 30,000 Rapid Rewards points = 2.1 US cents per point
- Package 2: $769.92 for 40,000 Rapid Rewards points = 1.9 US cents per point
- Package 3: $1,429.92 for 80,000 Rapid Rewards points = 1.8 US cents per point
The problem is that a Rapid Reward point is worth roughly 1.2 US cents each.
When Southwest Airlines first moved to a dynamic system for both earning and using Rapid Rewards points they were valued at 1.67 cents each.
Conclusion
I have no issues buying points when it makes sense.
However, it has never made any sense to purchase Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points because you are paying 50% to 75% more than they are worth, not taking into account that you would EARN more points on paid flights.
These Southwest’s Points Subscription Plans are pure insanity and count that people are challenged with math.
