How to Transfer Chase Points to Southwest Rapid Rewards

The transfer at a glance

The blocks, timing, cards and name rule come from Chase's transfer page. Chase doesn't print the ratio; the 1:1 comes from transfer guides. Chase's program agreement says a transfer fee may be charged, and that Chase shows any fee and its amount before you transfer. Chase's transfer page does not state a Southwest fee.

Transferred points don't earn the Companion Pass

Southwest's Rapid Rewards terms exclude points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards from Companion Pass qualification (Southwest terms). So a transfer can pay for flights, but it won't move you toward the pass. From January 1, 2027, Southwest earns the pass with tier qualifying points instead, with 95,000 for the three-trip version and 140,000 for unlimited. The full breakdown is on the Companion Pass 2027 page.

How to transfer, step by step

1. Price the flight in points on Southwest first.
2. Log in to Chase with a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred card.
3. Open Ultimate Rewards and choose Transfer points to partners.
4. Pick Southwest Rapid Rewards from the airline list.
5. Add your Rapid Rewards number the first time. The Rapid Rewards account must be yours, or belong to one household member listed as an authorized user on your Chase account, and the names must match.
6. Enter the points, in blocks of 1,000, and confirm.
7. Book as soon as the points show in your Southwest account.

Is it worth moving Chase points to Southwest?

Our values put a Chase point at 2.05 cents per point and a Southwest point at 1.25 cents per point.

So a plain transfer usually gives up value. Southwest has no award chart: it prices flights in points from the cash fare, so cheap fares cost few points and expensive fares cost many. You rarely get much more than our Southwest value. Transfer when the points price beats 2.05¢ per point, which mostly happens during a points sale or a transfer bonus.

Where Southwest points go furthest

Because prices follow fares, the best deals are sales. Two from one Southwest sale:

• Southwest points sale, Phoenix to Las Vegas: 3,000 points against a $136 fare, about 4.53¢ per point.
• Southwest points sale, Sacramento to Honolulu: 10,000 points against a $279 fare, about 2.79¢ per point.

Both came from The Points Guy, Rapid Rewards points sale (Aug 28, 2026), published August 28, 2026. That sale has ended. They show what a sale can do, not prices you can book now.

Transfer bonuses

Chase has run Southwest bonuses: 25% from October 23, 2025 to November 6, 2025 (Frequent Miler (Oct 23, 2025)), and 30% from May 15, 2026 to June 5, 2026 (Frequent Miler (May 15, 2026)). A bonus lowers the Chase points a flight needs, so if you can wait, watch transfer bonus alerts.

When not to transfer

• You haven't priced the flight. Points sit safer in Chase, where they can go to 14 partners.
• You're counting on the transfer for Companion Pass progress. It won't count.
• A bonus is likely soon. Chase has run them more than once.
• Southwest also takes Bilt Rewards. Use whichever balance you value least.

Learn this properly

The booking steps, once the points are in Rapid Rewards, are in How to book Southwest with points. Lesson 11: Transfer Partners & When to Use Them explains how to pick a partner, and Lesson 13: How to Search for Award Flights covers searching first. Compare Southwest cards, and see what Chase points are worth.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Chase to Southwest transfer ratio?

1:1.

How long does a Chase to Southwest transfer take?

Chase says most transfers arrive by the next business day, though a transfer can take up to 7 business days.

Do Chase points transferred to Southwest count toward the Companion Pass?

No. Southwest's Rapid Rewards terms exclude points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards from Companion Pass qualification.

Can I transfer Chase points to someone else's Southwest account?

The Rapid Rewards account must be yours, or belong to one household member listed as an authorized user on your Chase account, and the names must match.

Can I undo a transfer to Southwest?

No, transfers are final.