Donate to Charity and Earn 10x Southwest Points for Your Next Flight — Here’s How

Giving Tuesday may be over, but Southwest Airlines is offering Rapid Rewards members the chance to earn 10x bonus points for donations to select charities for a limited time. 

“Right now, when you give back, we do too,” the airline shared about the promotion on its website. “Now through Dec. 16, both you and the nonprofit get Rapid Rewards points.”

Southwest’s Point for a Purpose program, which is available year-round, allows members to donate their points to charities in need of air travel. The list of eligible nonprofit organizations includes Make-A-Wish, fulfilling the wishes of critically ill children; Rescue America, rescuing and empowering victims of human trafficking; and Team Rubicon, spearheading rescue efforts in disaster-affected communities.

As part of this new promotion, however, members can receive 10 bonus points for every dollar donated to these charities through Southwest. Donations must be at least $25, with a maximum limit of $1,000, and be made by Monday, Dec. 16, to be eligible for these bonus points.

After donating, these bonus points will be credited to accounts within 45 days of the donation, according to Southwest. Rapid Rewards points can be redeemed for award tickets on Southwest but will not count toward earning A-List or A-List Preferred elite status or the airline’s Companion Pass program.

Southwest Rapid Rewards members have many opportunities throughout the year to earn bonus points beyond donations to charities, including discounted point sales and elevated sign-up bonuses on its portfolio of cobranded credit cards with Chase Bank. 

This promotion follows recent updates to Southwest’s loyalty program. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, travelers who pay for flights using a combination of cash and points will accrue both Rapid Rewards points and elite-qualifying points on the cash portion, making it easier to earn points and status.