Basic Fare Using Points. Any downsides?
Feb 12, 2026 | 6:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: SW RR
Posts: 82
Basic Fare Using Points. Any downsides?
Just confirming I still should just book a basic fare when using points. And there are no downsides? As I have in the past under the old system and no assigned seating, I plan on canceling and rebooking whenever it is cheaper. I just want to make sure that I still can do without any penalties if I book the Basic fare
I also have the lowest SW credit card. So I will be able to choose a seat at 48hrs. But to be honest, choosing one of the better seats is not a big deal.
I also have the lowest SW credit card. So I will be able to choose a seat at 48hrs. But to be honest, choosing one of the better seats is not a big deal.
Feb 12, 2026 | 6:44 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 6,533
Just confirming I still should just book a basic fare when using points. And there are no downsides? As I have in the past under the old system and no assigned seating, I plan on canceling and rebooking whenever it is cheaper. I just want to make sure that I still can do without any penalties if I book the Basic fare
I also have the lowest SW credit card. So I will be able to choose a seat at 48hrs. But to be honest, choosing one of the better seats is not a big deal.
I also have the lowest SW credit card. So I will be able to choose a seat at 48hrs. But to be honest, choosing one of the better seats is not a big deal.
Feb 12, 2026 | 6:49 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: SW RR
Posts: 82
Feb 12, 2026 | 7:32 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 6,533
Feb 12, 2026 | 2:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,434
No downside with points you already have and maybe not a big downside with purchased points too.
I'm seriously thinking about buying points when my current points stash runs out once I've reached ALP for another year. The short funds expiration date on Basic is a big risk I'm willing to pay an extra 0.3 cents per point vs discounted WN gift cards as insurance. I'm aware of all the tricks to mitigate funds expiration but I strongly believe they will get shut down sooner than later. ALP working on Basic at booking is a small plus for me even though I'm not fat and won't pay for the extra space or the high probability of an empty middle seat or even empty row.
I'm seriously thinking about buying points when my current points stash runs out once I've reached ALP for another year. The short funds expiration date on Basic is a big risk I'm willing to pay an extra 0.3 cents per point vs discounted WN gift cards as insurance. I'm aware of all the tricks to mitigate funds expiration but I strongly believe they will get shut down sooner than later. ALP working on Basic at booking is a small plus for me even though I'm not fat and won't pay for the extra space or the high probability of an empty middle seat or even empty row.
Feb 12, 2026 | 4:44 pm
#7
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN A-list preferred, United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 22,856
Have all your relatives sign up for Southwest credit cards when the bonus exceeds 60k. That's what I do. Not much danger of running out of points.
Feb 13, 2026 | 10:37 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: CAK/PIT/OH15
Programs: UA*0K, Amex Plat. (National Exec., Hertz 5*), Chase MP Explorer.
Posts: 1,727
I intentionally book with points (and try to buy tickets when there is a points sale, which usually coincides with fare sales).
Much easier to deal with changes that way.
I guess you don't earn qualifying points that way but I stopped caring about those a long time ago.
Much easier to deal with changes that way.
I guess you don't earn qualifying points that way but I stopped caring about those a long time ago.
Feb 17, 2026 | 6:23 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,405
Feb 17, 2026 | 7:13 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,075
My quandary is that I have previously often booked the cheapest WGA+ fare and then changed to the flight I want at midnight the night before. I will continue to do this when it suits me but it will be interesting to see what seats I get when checking in for my new flight 8-12 hrs before departure... even with a credit card.
Feb 17, 2026 | 7:22 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,434
Funny 2025 was my cheapest year on wn ever but 2026 is the worst ever so Ive partially bailed.
A-List and ALP gives me standby on basic so it does save me money on occasion. Ill do choice just to get sdc, especially as my backup flights to f9.
Feb 17, 2026 | 10:20 am
#14
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN A-list preferred, United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 22,856
Great idea. But, I know many relatives that think having even extra FREE cards is stupid. Getting them to pay $100-$200 a year for a card would be impossible. Some people will only use a debit card and they surely are not going to go get the SWA debit card which is basically opening another checking account. Not everyone is as crazy as some of us here.
Feb 17, 2026 | 8:11 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: Whoever Has the Best Bonus
Posts: 5,241
The only downside I was concerned was with the amount you have to pay for international tax and the security fee. If you buy a basic fare and refund if (because you can't directly change the basic fare) they do refund the credit card? I have been booking basic fares with formerly never expiring travel funds and learned that returns six months expiration.
It actually makes travel fund less valuable since as soon as I use it the best case it's good for a year, while points are for now valid forever...
It actually makes travel fund less valuable since as soon as I use it the best case it's good for a year, while points are for now valid forever...