You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Airlines, but only if you hold a specific Chase card and meet Southwest's transfer requirements

Chase lets you move points from most of its rewards cards to Southwest Airlines through a process called a transfer partner redemption. The transfer itself takes one to three business days, and Southwest will add the points directly to your Rapid Rewards account. However, not every Chase card offers this option — you need either the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards card, the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card, or the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card to transfer points to Southwest. If you hold a different Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Freedom Unlimited, you cannot transfer to Southwest directly.

The transfer rate is fixed: Chase converts your Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Chase points becomes 1,000 Southwest points. You can transfer as few as 1,000 points at a time, and there is no upper limit on how much you can move in a single transfer. Once the points land in your Southwest account, you can use them to book flights, pay for seat upgrades, or cover other Southwest purchases through their Rapid Rewards program.

Key Takeaways

  • Only Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards cards allow transfers to Southwest; other Chase cards like Sapphire or Freedom cannot transfer to this airline.
  • Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio and arrive in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account within one to three business days.
  • You must have an active Southwest Rapid Rewards account before you transfer, and you need to link it to your Chase account through the rewards portal.
  • Transfers happen through Chase's online rewards portal or mobile app, not by calling Southwest or Chase directly.

Step-by-step process to transfer your points

Log into your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app. Go to the "Ultimate Rewards" or "Rewards" section — the exact name depends on which Chase card you hold. Look for a link that says "Transfer Points" or "Redeem Points." You should see Southwest Airlines listed as a transfer partner if your card is may be able to access.

Click on Southwest Airlines and enter the number of points you want to transfer. Chase requires a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer. Confirm the transfer by entering your Southwest Rapid Rewards account number when prompted. Chase will show you a confirmation screen with the transfer details before you submit — review this carefully to make sure the account number is correct, because transfers cannot be reversed once they process.

After you submit, Chase sends the points to Southwest's system. The transfer typically completes within one to three business days, though it can occasionally take longer if there is a system delay. You can check your Southwest Rapid Rewards account to see when the points arrive. Do not close your Chase account or cancel your card when ready after transferring, as this can sometimes cause issues with the transfer processing.

What you need before you transfer

You must have an active Southwest Rapid Rewards account before you attempt any transfer. If you do not have one, create it at Southwest's website for free. You will need your email address and a password to set up the account. Once your account is active, note your Rapid Rewards account number — this is a nine-digit number that Southwest assigns to you, and you will need it during the transfer process.

Your Chase account and Southwest account do not automatically link together. You will need to provide your Southwest Rapid Rewards account number manually when you initiate the transfer through Chase's portal. Have this number ready before you start the transfer process to avoid delays.

If you are transferring points from a Chase card you recently opened, check whether there are any restrictions on point transfers. Some new accounts have a waiting period before transfers are allowed, though this is uncommon. Your Chase account will tell you if transfers are restricted when you try to initiate one.

Timing and what happens after the transfer

Once Southwest receives your points, they appear in your Rapid Rewards account balance within one to three business days. You can then use them to book flights directly through Southwest's website or app. Points can also be used to purchase seat upgrades, pay for baggage fees, or cover other travel-related costs within the Southwest ecosystem.

Southwest does not charge a fee for receiving transferred points, and there is no expiration date on Rapid Rewards points as long as your account remains active. Your account stays active as long as you earn or use points at least once every 24 months. If you transfer points but do not use them for two years, Southwest may close your account and forfeit the points, so keep this timeline in mind if you are transferring a large balance.

When transferring points makes sense financially

Transferring points to Southwest is most valuable when you are booking a flight that costs significantly more points than the cash price, or when you are trying to reach a specific award level in Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. For example, if a flight costs 25,000 Southwest points but would cost $400 in cash, your points are worth roughly 1.6 cents each — better than the typical 1 cent per point you get from cash redemptions through Chase.

Transferring also makes sense if you have a specific Southwest trip planned and need points quickly. Since the transfer takes only a few days, you can move points from Chase to Southwest and book your flight within a week. If you are straightforward accumulating points with no specific trip in mind, you might get better value by redeeming Chase points for cash back or using them for other travel partners that offer higher point values on specific routes.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most frequent error is entering the wrong Southwest Rapid Rewards account number. Chase will not catch this mistake — the transfer will process to whatever account number you provide, and recovering points sent to the wrong account is difficult and time-consuming. Double-check your account number three times before submitting the transfer.

Another mistake is transferring points from a Chase card that is not a Southwest co-branded card. If you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Unlimited, or any other non-Southwest Chase card, you cannot transfer to Southwest directly through the rewards portal. You can only transfer to other Chase transfer partners like Hyatt, United, or Marriott. If you want to move points to Southwest from a non-Southwest Chase card, you would need to open a Southwest co-branded card first.

Some people also transfer points and then when ready cancel their Chase card. While this does not always cause problems, it can occasionally delay or complicate the transfer process. Wait until the points have fully posted to your Southwest account before closing your Chase account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points from a Chase Sapphire card to Southwest?

No. Only the three Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards cards allow transfers to Southwest. If you hold a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or any other non-Southwest Chase card, you cannot transfer to Southwest through Chase's system. You would need to open a Southwest co-branded card to access that transfer option.

How long does it take for points to show up in my Southwest account?

One to three business days is typical. Transfers process overnight in most cases, so points often appear within 24 hours. If more than three business days have passed, contact Chase to check the status of your transfer.

Can I reverse a transfer if I change my mind?

No. Once you submit a transfer, it cannot be cancelled or reversed. Make sure you have the correct Southwest account number and are transferring the right amount before you confirm.

What is the best way to use Southwest points after I transfer them?

That depends on your travel plans. Check Southwest's award chart to see how many points different flights cost, then compare that to the cash price. If the points price is significantly higher than the dollar value, the transfer was worthwhile. You can also use points for seat upgrades or to cover baggage fees if you prefer not to book a full flight.

Do I lose any points in the transfer process?

No. Chase transfers at a 1:1 ratio, so 10,000 Chase points becomes exactly 10,000 Southwest points with no conversion fee or loss.