Key Points

• Southwest partners with major hotel programs and credit card issuers, letting you transfer points to boost your Rapid Rewards balance.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Southwest at 1:1 instantly, making it one of the most valuable transfer partnerships.
• Hotel transfer ratios heavily favor keeping points with hotels, but can fill small gaps when you're close to an award booking.

Introduction

Southwest's Rapid Rewards program stands out for its simplicity and value, but here's something many travelers miss: you don't have to fly or use Southwest credit cards to earn these points. Through strategic partnerships, you can transfer points from hotel programs and flexible credit card currencies directly into your Southwest account.

While Southwest doesn't accept transfers from airline alliances (they're not part of any), their hotel and credit card partnerships create powerful opportunities to top off your account or accelerate your path to the Companion Pass. Let me show you exactly how these partnerships work and when they actually make sense to use.

Quick Answer: How Southwest Transfer Partners Work

Southwest accepts point transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards and several major hotel loyalty programs including Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards, and World of Hyatt. Transfer ratios vary significantly, with Chase offering the best value at 1:1. Hotel transfers typically require 2-3 hotel points for every 1 Southwest point, making them better for filling small gaps rather than large transfers.

Understanding Southwest's Transfer Partnership Structure

Southwest takes a different approach than most airlines. Instead of joining a traditional airline alliance like Star Alliance or SkyTeam, they've built partnerships focused on flexible points currencies and hotel programs.

This structure actually benefits travelers in several ways. You're not limited to earning points only when flying Southwest or using their co-branded cards. Instead, you can accumulate points through everyday spending on Chase Ultimate Rewards cards and convert them when you need Southwest flights.

The partnership model also means your Southwest points stay valuable. There are no blackout dates, points never expire as long as you have activity every 24 months, and you can book any seat on any flight with points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards: The Best Southwest Transfer Partner

Chase Ultimate Rewards stands as the most valuable transfer partner for Southwest Rapid Rewards, and it's not even close. The 1:1 transfer ratio means every Chase point becomes one Southwest point instantly.

Which Chase Cards Work

Three Chase cards earn Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to Southwest:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x points on Chase Travel, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel. The $95 annual fee is easily offset by the welcome bonus and flexible transfer options. This card serves as the foundation for most serious points collectors.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve steps it up with 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 5x on flights through Chase Travel, and 3x on dining and other travel. The $550 annual fee includes $300 in annual travel credits, making the effective cost just $250 for frequent travelers.

For business owners, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3x points on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines. This card is a powerhouse for accumulating points quickly through business expenses.

How Chase Transfers Work

Transferring Chase points to Southwest takes about 30 seconds. Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, select "Transfer to Travel Partners," choose Southwest Rapid Rewards, enter the amount, and confirm. Points typically appear in your Southwest account within minutes, though Chase allows up to 48 hours.

The instant nature of these transfers gives you tremendous flexibility. You can hold points in your Chase account until you're ready to book, protecting them from potential program devaluations. When you spot a great Southwest deal, transfer exactly what you need and book immediately.

One strategic note: Chase transfers count toward Companion Pass qualification. If you're working toward the Southwest Companion Pass, transferring Chase points to Southwest counts as earned points, not bonus points, which means they count toward the 135,000 points needed for the pass.

Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Partnership

Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Southwest, but the ratio makes this partnership better suited for filling small gaps rather than large conversions. You'll need to transfer 3 Marriott points to get 1 Southwest point.

When Marriott Transfers Make Sense

This 3:1 ratio means you should keep your Marriott points for hotel stays in most cases. Marriott redemptions often provide better value, especially at premium properties. However, the partnership becomes useful in specific situations.

Let's say you need 2,500 more Southwest points to book a flight. Transferring 7,500 Marriott points fills that gap without having to buy Southwest points outright or wait to earn them through other methods. The flexibility here beats letting a booking opportunity slip away.

The transfer bonus sweetens the deal occasionally. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott points (which becomes 20,000 Southwest points), you receive a 5,000 Southwest point bonus, bringing your total to 25,000 points. This improves the effective ratio to 2.4:1, though you need to transfer in 60,000-point increments to get this benefit.

Transfer Process and Timeline

Marriott to Southwest transfers take longer than Chase transfers. Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, navigate to "Use Points," select "Transfer to Airlines," choose Southwest, and enter the amount in 3,000-point increments (minimum transfer). Allow 5-7 days for points to appear in your Southwest account.

This delay means you can't use Marriott transfers for last-minute bookings. Plan ahead if you're counting on Marriott points to complete a Southwest redemption.

IHG One Rewards Partnership

IHG One Rewards offers another hotel-to-airline transfer option, though like Marriott, the ratio heavily favors keeping points with IHG. You'll transfer 10,000 IHG points to receive 2,000 Southwest points, which breaks down to a 5:1 ratio.

Evaluating IHG Transfer Value

This 5:1 ratio makes IHG transfers the least attractive option among Southwest's major partners. IHG points typically provide better value when used for hotel stays, where you can often get 0.5-0.7 cents per point. Converting to Southwest at this ratio drops the value significantly.

However, the partnership serves the same gap-filling purpose as Marriott. When you're within 5,000-10,000 points of a Southwest redemption and don't want to wait, transferring 25,000-50,000 IHG points might make sense strategically.

Consider your IHG point balance too. If you're sitting on a large stash of IHG points with no immediate hotel plans, converting some to Southwest for a specific trip beats letting them sit unused.

The minimum 12,000-point transfer requirement (yielding 5,000 Southwest points) means you need a substantial Hyatt balance to make transfers worthwhile. This threshold naturally limits the partnership to gap-filling rather than large-scale conversions.

Transfer Mechanics

IHG transfers require calling their customer service line rather than using an online portal. The minimum transfer is 10,000 IHG points, and you must transfer in 10,000-point increments. Processing typically takes 7-10 business days, making this the slowest Southwest transfer option.

The phone-only process and extended timeline make IHG transfers a last resort rather than a regular strategy. Plan well ahead if you're considering this option.

World of Hyatt Transfer Option

World of Hyatt points transfer to Southwest at a 2.4:1 ratio, which sits between Marriott and IHG in terms of value. For every 12,000 Hyatt points you transfer (the minimum), you receive 5,000 Southwest points.

Strategic Considerations for Hyatt Transfers

Hyatt points consistently rank among the most valuable hotel currencies, often worth 1.5-2 cents per point when used for hotel stays. This high base value makes transferring to Southwest less appealing than using points for Hyatt properties.

That said, the 2.4:1 ratio beats IHG significantly and matches Marriott's bonus ratio. If you value Southwest flights more than Hyatt hotel stays for your travel plans, the partnership provides a reasonable conversion option.

The minimum 12,000-point transfer requirement (yielding 5,000 Southwest points) means you need a substantial Hyatt balance to make transfers worthwhile. This threshold naturally limits the partnership to gap-filling rather than large-scale conversions.

How to Transfer from Hyatt

Log into your World of Hyatt account, select "Transfer Points," choose Southwest Airlines, and enter the amount in 12,000-point increments. Transfers process within 3-5 business days, faster than IHG but slower than Chase.

Comparing All Southwest Transfer Partners

Let's put these partnerships side by side to see which makes sense for different situations:

Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 ratio, instant transfers, best overall value. Use this partnership for any substantial Southwest point needs.

Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 ratio (2.4:1 with bonus for 60,000+ transfers), 5-7 day processing. Good for filling gaps under 25,000 points or when you have excess Marriott points.

World of Hyatt: 2.4:1 ratio, 3-5 day processing, 12,000 minimum. Use only when you have surplus Hyatt points and limited hotel travel plans.

IHG One Rewards: 5:1 ratio, 7-10 day processing, phone required. Last resort for small gaps when other options aren't available.

The clear winner for regular transfers is Chase Ultimate Rewards. The hotel partnerships exist primarily for convenience and gap-filling rather than systematic point accumulation.

Strategic Uses for Southwest Transfer Partners

Understanding the ratios and mechanics only gets you halfway. Let's talk about when these partnerships actually make strategic sense.

Building to a Specific Award

Southwest uses dynamic pricing for award flights, meaning point costs vary based on the cash price of the ticket. When you spot a great deal, you might need to top off your account quickly. This is where transfer partners shine.

Say you find a $450 roundtrip flight priced at 31,000 points. You have 26,000 Southwest points saved up. Instead of buying the remaining 5,000 points at inflated rates, transfer 5,000 Chase points instantly or 15,000 Marriott points over a few days.

The key is knowing your target number before you start transferring. Calculate exactly what you need, then use the most efficient partner (usually Chase) to fill the gap.

Companion Pass Qualification

The Southwest Companion Pass requires earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Points transferred from Chase count as earned points toward this total, while transferred hotel points do not.

This makes Chase transfers doubly valuable when you're pursuing the Companion Pass. A 75,000-point transfer from Chase gets you over halfway to pass qualification while also giving you enough points for several flights.

Hotel transfers won't help with Companion Pass qualification, but they can provide booking points once you've earned the pass. This distinction matters significantly if you're actively working toward pass status.

Maximizing Credit Card Bonuses

The best Southwest credit cards offer substantial welcome bonuses that count toward Companion Pass qualification. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card both offer strong bonuses.

Combining these card bonuses with Chase transfers creates the fastest path to Companion Pass. Earn 50,000-60,000 points from card bonuses, then transfer 75,000-85,000 Chase points to reach the 135,000 threshold.

This strategy works especially well at the start of a calendar year, giving you the Companion Pass for nearly two full years (the remainder of the earning year plus the following full year).

What You Can't Transfer to Southwest

Southwest's partnerships are more limited than some other airlines. Understanding what doesn't work helps you plan appropriately.

You cannot transfer points to Southwest from American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Capital One Miles, or Bilt Rewards. If you're accumulating points with these programs and want Southwest flights, you'll need to use different strategies.

American Express, Citi, and Capital One all transfer to various other airlines. Depending on your destination, you might find better redemption value with their airline partners anyway. Southwest excels at domestic travel and Caribbean routes, while other airlines might offer superior options for international travel.

Bank of America rewards, Discover Cashback Bonus, and other cash-back programs also don't transfer to Southwest. These programs work better for statement credits or cash redemptions rather than airline transfers.

Maximizing Value from Southwest Transfers

Once you understand which partnerships exist and how they work, the real skill comes from using them strategically to maximize value.

Keep Points Flexible

The number one rule: don't transfer points until you're ready to book. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are more valuable than Southwest points in most cases because of their flexibility. You can transfer to 14 different airline and hotel partners, book travel through the Chase portal at enhanced values with premium cards, or even cash out.

Once points move to Southwest, they're locked into Southwest redemptions. Keep your options open until you've found the specific flights you want.

Monitor Southwest Sales

Southwest regularly runs sales on specific routes and destinations. When you spot a sale that matches your travel plans, that's the time to check if you need to transfer points for a booking.

Sales often drop point requirements by 20-40%, meaning your transferred points go further. A route normally requiring 40,000 points might drop to 25,000 during a sale, saving you a substantial Chase transfer.

Calculate the Math

Before transferring hotel points to Southwest, run the actual value calculation. Take the cash price of the Southwest flight and divide by the points needed. This gives you the cents-per-point value.

For example, a $350 flight requiring 25,000 Southwest points provides 1.4 cents per point value. If you're considering transferring 75,000 Marriott points (3:1 ratio) to get those 25,000 Southwest points, you're effectively getting 0.47 cents per Marriott point (since $350 ÷ 75,000 = 0.0047).

Compare this to typical Marriott redemption values of 0.6-0.8 cents per point. The math shows you'd be better off keeping Marriott points for hotel stays and earning Southwest points through flying or credit cards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced travelers make these errors when working with Southwest transfer partners:

Transferring hotel points too quickly. Hotel points almost always provide better value when used for hotel stays. Transfer only when you have excess points or absolutely need to fill a Southwest gap.

Forgetting about transfer delays. Chase transfers instantly, but hotel transfers take days. Don't wait until the day before your planned booking to initiate hotel transfers.

Ignoring the Companion Pass impact. If you're anywhere close to Companion Pass qualification, focus exclusively on Chase transfers since they count toward the pass while hotel transfers don't.

Not comparing to cash prices. Sometimes buying the ticket outright makes more financial sense than transferring valuable points. Always check the cash price before committing points.

Transferring in odd amounts. Hotel programs require specific increment transfers. Plan your transfer amount carefully to avoid leaving small, unusable balances.

FAQ

How long do Southwest point transfers take?

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Southwest appear within minutes to 2 hours. Marriott Bonvoy transfers take 5-7 days. World of Hyatt transfers process in 3-5 business days. IHG One Rewards transfers require 7-10 business days and must be initiated by phone.

Do transferred points count toward Southwest Companion Pass?

Only Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers count toward Companion Pass qualification. Points transferred from Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG do not count toward the 135,000 points needed for Companion Pass status. Hotel transfers provide booking points but won't help you earn the pass.

Can I transfer Southwest points back to Chase or hotels?

No, Southwest Rapid Rewards points cannot be transferred back to partner programs. Once you transfer points to Southwest, they remain in your Southwest account. This one-way nature makes it crucial to transfer only what you need and keep remaining points flexible in Chase or hotel programs.

What's the minimum transfer amount for each partner?

Chase Ultimate Rewards has a 1,000-point minimum. Marriott Bonvoy requires minimum transfers of 3,000 points. World of Hyatt's minimum is 12,000 points (converting to 5,000 Southwest points). IHG One Rewards requires a minimum of 10,000 points.

Are Southwest transfer partners worth using?

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers are absolutely worth using—the 1:1 ratio and instant transfers make this partnership excellent. Hotel transfers work best for filling small gaps (under 10,000 points needed) but generally provide better value when used for hotel stays. Consider hotel transfers a convenience option rather than a primary earning strategy.

Conclusion

Southwest's transfer partnerships create multiple paths to building your Rapid Rewards balance, but they're not all created equal. Chase Ultimate Rewards stands out as the clear winner with its 1:1 ratio and instant transfers, making it an essential tool for Southwest travelers. Hotel partnerships from Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG serve more specialized roles, filling small gaps rather than generating large point balances.

The real power comes from strategic flexibility. Keep your points in Chase until you're ready to book, transfer exactly what you need when you spot a great Southwest deal, and remember that hotel points usually provide better value for hotel stays. Master these principles and you'll maximize every point you earn.

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