I am not familiar with Southwest Airlines and how thier program works. Do you have to get an award ticket - do the accumulated miles become an award ticket that needs to be used in a year???? With the other programs, the miles sit in an account, and don't expire until you get an award - so that is the model I am used to. Maybe other people familiar with their program would be better to advise you....or go to their thread and see what strategy people use. It's good that you are gathering information - -- Good luck.