Southwest just dropped a fresh fare sale, and the timing matters: you've only got until 11:59 p.m. PT on August 13 to lock it in. The airline is discounting base fares by up to 40% across its network, with no promo code needed. The discount shows up automatically as a strikethrough on eligible fares when you search.
The Details
Book between August 10 and August 13, 2026, for travel running August 31, 2026 through March 3, 2027. That's a wide window, covering fall, the winter holidays, and into early spring, though (as always with Southwest sales) blackout dates chip away at the calendar around Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and a few scattered dates in January and February.
A few route-specific wrinkles to know before you search:
- Continental U.S. and interisland Hawaii fares are valid Monday through Saturday.
- Flights between the continental U.S. and Hawaii, Anchorage, St. Thomas, or international destinations are valid Sunday through Wednesday outbound, and Tuesday through Friday on the return.
- Puerto Rico routes are valid Monday through Thursday.
The discount applies to the base fare only, before taxes and government fees, and it's not combinable with other offers or valid on Getaways vacation packages or group bookings.
How to Book It
There's no code to enter. Just search your route on Southwest's flight deals page during the booking window and the discount applies automatically if your dates and route qualify. Since seats are limited, don't wait until August 13 to check.
If you're booking with a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, you'll earn points on top of the discount, and every dollar spent counts toward Companion Pass qualification. If you're not there yet, our complete Southwest credit card comparison breaks down which of the four cards, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus for casual flyers, gets you to the Companion Pass fastest based on how you spend.
One more thing worth knowing: Southwest's Basic fares (the cheapest tier this sale applies to) don't include free checked bags unless you hold certain cards or have elite status, so factor that into your total cost if you're checking a bag. For the full picture on stacking this sale with points strategy, our Southwest transfer partners guide covers how to top off your balance from Chase and hotel programs before you book.
This sale won't last, so if you've had a fall or winter trip on your radar, this is a solid window to check prices before it closes Thursday night. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.
