Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest’s Secret Low Fares
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - The Early Bird Gets The Deal
One of the best ways to score low fares on Southwest is to take advantage of their Early Bird Check-In option. This allows you to secure your place in the boarding queue up to 36 hours before departure, giving you access to the most desirable seats on the plane. While Early Bird doesn't guarantee you an A1-15 boarding position, it does put you ahead of those who haven't paid for the perk, which can make a big difference in getting into the A group.
Early Bird Check-In typically costs $15-25 each way per person. That may seem steep, but if you're traveling as a family, it can easily be worth it to ensure you sit together. And for frequent business travelers, the cost is negligible compared to the benefit of extra legroom and overhead bin space close to your seat.
Southwest doesn't assign specific seats; instead, passengers are divided into boarding groups A, B, and C. Depending on what's left when your group is called, you could end up in a middle seat sandwiched between two larger passengers. Or you may have to gate check your carry-on since the bins filled up long before you boarded. Early Bird helps you avoid both scenarios.
The key is that Southwest boards passengers by group and check-in time. So even if you're assigned group B, if you checked in at 6 am two days before the flight while others in B checked in at 3 pm the day before, you'll board before them. Early Bird puts you at the front of the B line, essentially giving you positioning closer to the A group.
This can really pay off in access to window and aisle seats as well as overhead bin space. I've boarded flights late in the B group thanks to Early Bird and still scored aisle seats toward the front with room for my bag. Without it, I'd likely be stuck in a middle seat near the back, relegating my carry-on to gate check.
Early Bird also grants access to "A-List Preferred" seats, which are set aside for top-tier frequent flyers. If any of those seats are left by the time Early Bird passengers board, you can grab one. These are typically exit rows and bulkhead seats with extra legroom.
Keep in mind that basic economy fares on Southwest don't allow for Early Bird Check-In. So if you book a Wanna Get Away fare, you'll automatically be in boarding group C. Upgrading to Early Bird requires booking a higher fare class.
What else is in this post?
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - The Early Bird Gets The Deal
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Know When To Search For Trips Under 14 Days
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Be Flexible With Departure Days And Times
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Check Multiple Departure Airports
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Bookmark And Revisit Frequently
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - How Connecting Flights Can Unlock Lower Fares
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Hunt For Off-Peak Travel Dates
- Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Maximize Points With Southwest's Sales
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Know When To Search For Trips Under 14 Days
See, Southwest's booking calendar is divided into "buckets" based on the length of your trip. And the airline typically offers its lowest fares on itineraries under 2 weeks. So if your travel dates are flexible, narrowing your search to shorter trips can reveal hidden savings.
I first stumbled upon this gem of a hack when planning a last-minute getaway to Nashville. Out of curiosity, I compared fares for 6-7 day trips versus longer 12-14 day vacations. And across the board, the prices for the shorter trips were noticeably lower. We're talking at least $100 per ticket in savings.
Digging deeper, I found mention on FlyerTalk forums of Southwest's under 14 day discount. It seems the airline uses this as a tactic to fill empty seats on less popular travel dates. And by targeting travelers with flexible schedules willing to take shorter trips, Southwest can boost loads without having to drop fares across the board.
The consensus among savvy Southwest travelers is to always search in 6, 7, 9, 10 and 13 day booking "buckets" before extending your trip dates. Fellow deal-hunters have reported consistently lower fares when using this strategy across a wide range of routes.
One creative flyer managed to snag a nonstop Burbank to Dallas flight for just $49 each way by booking a 9 day trip. But when he extended to 14 days, the fare jumped to $129. He ultimately had his pick of multiple under $60 fares simply by tweaking the length of his itinerary.
Another traveler planning a last-minute trip to Denver unearthed $78 fares for 13 day excursions but faced $150+ prices for 14-21 day trips. Limiting her search to sub-two week travel windows unlocked major savings.
I now routinely use the under 14 day rule before booking Southwest flights. Whether heading home for the holidays or planning a quick weekend escape, checking these "magic number" booking buckets nearly always yields cheaper fares.
Sure, I occasionally get lucky and score a deal on longer trips too. But more often than not, Southwest's best rates lie in that 6-13 day sweet spot. And I love discovering cheap getaways I might not have otherwise considered simply because the fares were so irresistible.
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Be Flexible With Departure Days And Times
When it comes to scoring cheap fares on Southwest, flexibility is key. The airline's prices fluctuate constantly, with new deals popping up and disappearing sometimes within hours. So travelers willing to tweak their schedules stand the best chance of snagging those coveted low rates.
Specifically, remaining open-minded about both your departing day of the week and time of day can unlock major savings. Are you currently searching for flights on a Friday or Sunday because it fits your schedule best? Have you narrowed it down to morning or evening departures out of habit or convenience? Loosen up your criteria a bit and see what happens.
Expanding your search by even one day earlier or later can reveal drastically cheaper prices. Fellow bargain hunter Jenny swears by this after saving $100 per ticket on a trip to Denver. "I had my heart set on leaving on a Saturday because I wanted to get the whole weekend there. But out of curiosity, I checked Friday flights and found them over $100 less even though it was just one day earlier," she explains.
Likewise, don't get hung up on sticking to your usual early morning or late night flights. Some travelers are surprised to learn that mid-day departures often offer the best values. "I used to only take red-eyes to LA to maximize my time there. But recently I've been flying out around 3 pm for half the price," shares cost-conscious flier Diego.
Sometimes it comes down to simple supply and demand - certain days or times are more popular, driving up prices. By remaining flexible, you avoid "peak" options and can capitalize on lighter demand.
It also pays to check multiple nearby airports if you have the option. Weekend getaway flights frequently cost more from major hubs but are cheaper from smaller regional airports located a short drive away. And off-peak departure times like Tuesday afternoons are typically most affordable from your local airport versus busier ones like LAX or DEN.
Expanding your search criteria ever so slightly takes little effort but can have a huge impact. At best you walk away with tickets that fit your original schedule but at a steal of a price. At worst, you're forced to depart a few hours earlier or later to save $50, $75 or even $100 or more. That trade-off is almost always worth it!
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Check Multiple Departure Airports
Checking multiple nearby airports is one of my top strategies for unlocking Southwest's lowest fares. This airline offers an extensive route network, often serving multiple airports in a given metro area. And prices can vary drastically depending on which airport you select as your departure point. I've discovered savings of $150 or more simply by tweaking my airport choice while keeping the destination the same.
Fellow bargain hunter Jen explains how she saved over $300 on a family trip using this airport hack: "I was searching flights from Chicago to Orlando and kept getting fares of $400-$500 per person from Chicago Midway. But when I expanded my search to include Chicago O'Hare, I found tickets for just $125 each! It was the exact same Southwest flight, just departing from O'Hare instead which is less than an hour from Midway. Such an easy change that saved our family of four over $300."
Another watcher of deals who goes by the handle @SouthwestGuru on Twitter shares how he uncovered $99 fares from Long Beach but $150+ from LAX to Oakland: "I was shocked at first but when I checked, the Long Beach flight was at 6:05am while the LAX one was at noon. So clearly the redeye flight was less in demand. But as an early riser anyways, I had no issue catching that early Long Beach flight to save $50 per ticket."
Occasionally regional airports truly offer lower base fares. But more often the savings come from flying at less trafficked times like Tuesday afternoons or early morning departures. The major airports cater more to business travelers with schedules less flexible than vacationers. So they in turn see higher demand and prices for prime flying times.
By casting a wider airport net, you tap into lower-cost departures you may have otherwise missed. Is driving an extra 30-60 minutes and taking a 6am flight worth pocketing an extra $75 or more per ticket? For most travelers, the compromise is negligible compared to the savings unlocked.
Beyond departures, this airport strategy also works when checking multiple destinations within your region. One clever Miami-based jetsetter explains "I watch for deals out of Fort Lauderdale since it's just a 30 minute drive for me. And a surprising number of times I've saved $75 or more on flights to places like New York and Atlanta simply by starting my search from Fort Lauderdale versus Miami."
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Bookmark And Revisit Frequently
If you’ve unlocked one of Southwest’s low fare “golden tickets,” bookmark that search! Prices fluctuate constantly, so a $59 fare you spot today could be $99 tomorrow then back to $69 next week. Savvy Southwest shoppers stress the importance of bookmarking and revisiting bargain fares to catch them at their lowest points.
Frequent flyer pro-tipper Jenny explains, “When I find a good deal to a place I’m planning to visit, I bookmark the search and check it almost daily. Often the price bounces around a lot. By monitoring it, maybe it hits $10 higher for a few days but then drops back down so I can still snag that original cheap fare I saw.”
Diego, who flies LAX to Mexico multiple times per year, uses this tactic religiously. “For trips to see family, I’m flexible on dates so I watch fares carefully starting 5-6 months out. When they drop below $150 roundtrip, I bookmark it. I’ve had some go up to $250 then back down to $120 just 2 weeks later. It’s like playing fare roulette!”
Monitoring bookmarked searches helps you pounce when rates fall again. But you’ll also gain insight into trends on your route, like cheapest days or times, to inform future bookings.
Dave who flies frequently between Nashville and Los Angeles explains, “I started bookmarking my searches and it’s crazy how the prices bounce around so much week to week even months out. But I’ve learned Fridays and Sundays are usually much more expensive than middle of week departures. And red eyes or midday flights are cheaper than busy morning and evening times. I never realized these patterns until I started tracking fares.”
Jen swears by this after scoring $99 fares from Chicago to Tampa over Thanksgiving. “I checked almost daily for weeks leading up to the holiday because the prices were ridiculous, like $300+. Then about 3 weeks out, I caught a 2 day sale with fares in the low $100s. Because I had been monitoring closely, I was able to jump on it and get tickets before that cheap fare was gone.”
Even if you aren’t ready to book yet, go ahead and set fare alerts in your bookmarks so you'll be notified if prices drop. Southwest allows you to track up to 10 alerts for a given destination. No sense letting an incredible bargain pass you by for a few dollars, so take advantage of this tool.
And don’t forget to clear your browser cookies before each new search. Southwest customizes fares based on your browsing history and uses cookies to track this activity. Clearing them tricks the system into thinking you’re a new user, often revealing cheaper prices.
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - How Connecting Flights Can Unlock Lower Fares
Connecting flights get a bad rap, but savvy Southwest travelers know piecing together multiple legs can unlock lower fares to many destinations. While nonstop flights are ideal, a layover done right can mean pocketing extra savings worth far more than the inconvenience.
Jenny, who frequents visits to her mom in Phoenix, discovered this trick accidentally before using it to consistently save $75-$100 per ticket. "I was browsing flights from Denver to Phoenix and saw ridiculously cheap fares - like $99 each way - but didn't realize they had a stop in Las Vegas. For a direct 4 hour nonstop flight, I was shocked to find anything under $150 even months out. But I confirmed on the airline's website these crazy cheap itineraries did in fact exist."
What she uncovered is a classic example of the Southwest "backdoor fare." When one-stop flights via a connection cost less than nonstop on the same route. While counterintuitive, this pricing quirk exists thanks to the way Southwest structures their fares into buckets. And by mixing and matching the cheapestBucket A fare from Denver to Vegas with the cheapest Bucket B fare from Vegas to Phoenix, the combined cost of a connecting flight can undercut the nonstop Denver to Phoenix fare.
Though not every city pair presents this opportunity, many popular Southwest vacation and business destinations do. Savvy flyers share stories of saving $50-$150 per person by adding a quick stop. And bridges or backdoor connections can range from a mere 20 minutes in one airport to overnight layovers allowing time to explore a new city.
Mike used this to his family's advantage to save over $400 on flights to Orlando: "I was searching options from Indianapolis to Orlando for our family of four and found $550+ roundtrips nonstop. But then I discovered I could route us through Nashville with a 90 minute layover on the way down and back and pay just $138 per person. We left super early so the connection didn't cost us anytime in Orlando plus gave us a built in stop to break up the long drive on I-75."
Though not every city pair presents this opportunity, many popular Southwest vacation and business destinations do. Savvy flyers share stories of saving $50-$150 per person by adding a quick stop. And bridges or backdoor connections can range from a mere 20 minutes in one airport to overnight layovers allowing time to explore a new city.
Occasionally these backdoor fares offer overnight or even multiple day layovers allowing time to catch up on work or sightsee in a new destination. Jeremy explains how he crafted a "free" stopover trip through strategies like this: "I was searching flights from Nashville to LA and kept seeing options for $120 with an 18 hour layover in Phoenix. Since I wanted to explore Arizona anyway, I jumped on it. The extra night in Phoenix was essentially free and saved me tons on a separate hotel stay."
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Hunt For Off-Peak Travel Dates
One of the most powerful, yet overlooked fare-finding strategies with Southwest is targeting off-peak travel dates. Holidays, summer vacations, spring break - these are peak times every bargain hunter knows to avoid. Instead, the real savings come from traveling in the off-season, aka the majority of the year.
As Jen explains, “I used to only travel in the summer because it fit best with my teaching schedule. Then I started playing around with Southwest’s calendar feature and was blown away by how much cheaper fall, winter and early spring dates were on the exact same LA to Honolulu route.” We're talking $400+ flight costs dropping to $250 or lower simply by shifting travel to September or October instead of July.
Diego swears by booking off-peak too: "Being flexible and traveling in the off-season saves me so much. Like if you leave for Mexico after the holidays in mid-January, you can usually get 40-50% cheaper fares than November and December. The beaches and weather are still amazing so why not save $150 per ticket?"
The true off-peak windows will vary by your destination and route. But generally late August through December, January through March (outside of holiday weeks), and April through mid-May offer the lowest fares for U.S. domestic flights. International destinations follow similar patterns, with cheapest prices typically in their low season.
Aside from the obvious windows like Thanksgiving and December holidays, even lesser thought of trips like spring break and summer weekends carry premium pricing. But travel in April or September and fares often plummet $100 or more.
Being attentive to school schedules can really pay off too. Christina, an inner city teacher, planned her 30th birthday getaway to Miami during the first week students were back in session in January. "It was maybe the one upside to postponing my celebration trip - I saved over $250 per ticket by traveling that first full week of school versus trying to go in November or December with crazy holiday pricing."
If your dates are flexible, be sure to check Southwest's low fare calendar before merely defaulting to the dates that work best for you. Move your departing flights up or back a few weeks or months and see if prices drop significantly on those off-peak dates.
If you face limited vacation time like Christina, consider extending weekend trips. Jen adds, "I'm a teacher too and know how hard it can be to take time off during the year. But even traveling on weekends I'll extend long weekends by flying out Thursday or Friday and returning Monday or Tuesday to avoid peak weekend rates. The extra personal vacation days are completely worth it when I save $150+ per flight."
Calendar Hacks: How to Unlock Southwest's Secret Low Fares - Maximize Points With Southwest's Sales
Savvy Southwest flyers keep a close eye out for points sales, which offer a unique opportunity to rapidly boost your balance. Typically held just a few times per year, these promotions discount the price to purchase Southwest points, helping you rack up tens of thousands extra to redeem for free flights and more.
For example, Southwest ran a promotion in early 2023 that discounted points to just 1.39 cents each when purchasing in bulk tiers. Compared to the standard everyday rate of 1.97 cents per point, buyers could net 30-40% more points for their dollar during the sale.
As Dan explains, these steeper discounts make it easier to top up accounts: “Normally I just earn Southwest points the regular ways through flying and credit cards since buying them is pretty expensive. But when Southwest offers these flash sales, it becomes really tempting to stock up on points at nearly half price.”
During their last big promotion, he took advantage to boost his Southwest Rewards balance by 45,000 points, something that would’ve cost $882 at standard rates but just $625 on sale. That extra 45k was enough to redeem for nearly two domestic tickets or other perks like upgraded boarding and in-flight wi-fi.
For Jenn, sales like this are a chance to jumpstart new accounts: “When my nephew turned 16, we wanted to help him earn his first flight. I had just opened a Southwest account in his name, so during their recent points promo, I bought him 25,000 points which cost around $350 but will be enough for a U.S. trip to visit family.”
Outside these member promotions, Southwest also sometimes discounts points packages on Southwest.com available to anyone. While not as deep of savings, these public web sales provide another opportunity to score points for roughly 10-15% off.
Timing is key, since Southwest limits these sales to just a few days and often with little advance notice. Turning on sale alerts is critical so you’re notified immediately when the next ones roll around. Savings nerd Clark explains “In the past, I’ve stumbled upon Southwest points sales accidentally but missed out since they’re so short lived. Now I have alerts setup so if one pops up, I’m ready to buy.”