3 Quick Tricks for Free Drinks on Southwest Airlines

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Southwest Airlines is famous for cheap flights, 2 free checked bags per passenger, the best cancelation policy in the business, and no blackout dates when you book flights with points.  But you may not know these 3 Southwest tricks for free drinks!

Along with free drinks, you can earn free flights with the Southwest credit cards:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card – bonus is worth ~$900 on Southwest after you meet the minimum spend
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Trick #1:  Southwest will mail you 4 drink coupons after 10 paid one-way flights (or 5 round-trip).  But… you’ve got to be opted-in.  I’ll show you.

How to Get Free Drink Coupons on Southwest Airlines

Make sure you’ve opted-in for your drink tickets.

• Log into your Southwest account.
• Then in “My Preferences” just scroll down to “Travel”
• Then click “Extras”

Trick #2:   On certain special dates, Southwest treats you to a free beverage.  But you may have to know it’s a free drink date and ask.  Here are the dates as reported in various forums:

New Year’s Day
Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Southwest’s Birthday – June 18
US Independence Day
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card’s Anniversary — August 7
Halloween
Thanksgiving

Note: Southwest can discontinue any of these dates.  They might also add dates.

Trick #3:   Southwest credit cardholders have reported getting free drink coupons in the mail on their 2nd card anniversary.  On the various forums I’ve read, this one seems to be a bit hit or miss.

Officially, it looks like this doesn’t work any longer based on a tweet from Southwest.  But you might get lucky.

Replacement trick:   Some folks report that if you opt-in to Southwest promotional emails they sometimes give away drink vouchers.

Bonus Trick:   Not free, but discounted.  You can buy Southwest drink coupons on eBay.  Technically you’re not supposed to sell or buy these though.

Seeking More Southwest Points for Free Flights?

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card – bonus is worth ~$900 on Southwest after you meet the minimum spend
• You’re allowed to have the business card above (great card offer) and ONE of the following:
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The sign-up bonus points on these credit cards counts towards earning the best deal in travel — the Southwest Companion Pass!