What is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar and How Can It Save You Money?

Southwest Airlines, known for its low fares and two free checked bags, has a unique approach to booking flights. Unlike most airlines, you won't find their best deals on traditional travel agencies or metasearch engines. To snag the lowest Southwest fares, you need to use their own tools – and the Southwest Low Fare Calendar is a key player.

What is the Southwest Low Fare Calendar?

Essentially, it's a visual tool that displays the cheapest Southwest fares for a given destination within a specific month. It's like a calendar where each day is color-coded or priced, making it easy to identify the most budget-friendly travel dates.

How to Use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar:

1. Access the Calendar: 

a. Directly: On the Southwest Airlines homepage, look for the "Low Fare Calendar" link below the departure and arrival city fields.

b. During a Flight Search: Initiate a standard flight search. After clicking "Search," you'll find a "Low Fare Calendar" tab among the flight options. 
 

2. Enter Your Details:

a. Origin and Destination: Input your departure and arrival cities.

b. Dates: Select the month for both your departure and return. Note that Southwest's booking window can vary, so check the indicated timeframe.

c. Passengers: Adjust the number of travelers.

d. Trip Type: Choose round-trip, one-way, or multi-city.

3. Explore the Calendar:

View Fares: The calendar displays the lowest fares for each day of the selected months.

Toggle Months: Easily switch between months to find the cheapest overall travel window.

Points View: Optionally, view fares in Southwest Rapid Rewards points.

4. Select Your Dates:

Choose Departure: Click on your preferred departure date.

Choose Return: Click on your preferred return date.

5. Finalize Your Flight:

Review Options: The search results page displays all available flights for your selected dates.

Sort Flights: Sort by departure time, arrival time, price, duration, or number of stops.

Choose Fares: Select your preferred fare type (Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away).

Continue to Purchase: Click "Continue" to proceed to the purchase page.

Pro Southwest Booking Tips:

Southwest Companion Pass: Earn 100 qualifying one-way flights or 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year to unlock a free companion pass for the next year.

Chase Points Transfer: Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points (from Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred) to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.

Price Drops: Southwest allows free changes or cancellations up to 10 minutes before departure. If the price of your flight drops, rebook at the lower price and cancel the original ticket.

Hotel Bookings: Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points by booking hotels through Southwest's travel partners (Best Western, Marriott, Hyatt, etc.).

Companion Pass: Once you have a Companion Pass, designate a companion and book your flight first. Then, add the companion to your itinerary for free (taxes and fees apply).

Key Takeaways:

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar is essential for finding the cheapest Southwest flights.

Be flexible with your travel dates to maximize savings.

Utilize Southwest's rewards programs and partnerships to earn points and maximize your travel budget.

Understanding Southwest Fare Types

To effectively use the Low Fare Calendar, it's crucial to understand the three main Southwest fare types:

• Wanna Get Away: This is Southwest's most budget-friendly option. It's non-refundable, but you can cancel and receive flight credit for future travel.
• Anytime: Offers more flexibility than Wanna Get Away. You can make changes to your flight without a change fee, and you'll receive a full refund for any reason.
• Business Select: Southwest's premium fare. It includes priority boarding, early bird check-in, and complimentary beverages.

Finding the Best Deals with the Low Fare Calendar

• Be Flexible: The Low Fare Calendar shines when you have some flexibility with your travel dates. Look for clusters of cheaper days within a month.
• Consider Mid-Week Travel: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays often have lower fares compared to weekends.
• Look Beyond Peak Season: Traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or off-season can significantly reduce costs.
• Utilize Southwest's Website: Explore other Southwest tools like the "Flight Deals" section for potential discounts and promotions.
  
  

Maximizing Your Southwest Rewards

• Earn Points:
  • Fly Southwest frequently.
  • Use the Southwest Credit Card.
  • Shop through the Southwest Shopping portal.
  • Dine at Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining partners.
  • Book hotels and rental cars through Southwest.
• Redeem Points:
  • Book flights with points.
  • Use points for in-flight purchases.
  • Upgrade your flight with points.

Conclusion:

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar is a powerful tool for finding the best deals on Southwest flights. By understanding how to use it effectively and maximizing your Southwest Rapid Rewards points, you can significantly reduce travel costs and enjoy more of your hard-earned money.

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only. Always refer to the official Southwest Airlines website for the most up-to-date terms and conditions.

People Also Ask: 

1. What does the Southwest Low-Fare Calendar mean?

The Southwest Low-Fare Calendar is a tool on the Southwest Airlines website that allows customers to find the lowest fares for flights on different dates. By selecting a departure and destination city, you can view a monthly calendar that highlights the lowest available fares for each day, making it easy to choose the cheapest travel dates.

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2. What day are Southwest flights the cheapest?

Southwest flights are generally cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. These are considered off-peak travel days, so you’re likely to find better deals on these days compared to weekends and peak travel times.

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3. How much of a discount does Southwest give seniors?

Southwest no longer offers specific senior discounts for tickets. However, seniors aged 65 and older can take advantage of perks like flexible travel options, including Senior Fares, which are refundable. Seniors also get priority boarding and assistance at the airport, making travel more convenient.

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4. What day is best to book Southwest?

The best day to book Southwest flights is Tuesday afternoon, especially around 3 p.m. EST. This is when Southwest often updates its deals, and other airlines may match these lower fares, leading to competitive pricing. Booking on Tuesday can help you secure the best rates for your travel plans.