Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets on Southwest to Save Big

Southwest Airlines serves 121 airports across 12 countries and carried more than 134 million customers in 2025. The airline also flew 1,415,822 trips that year, so fare availability can shift fast as lower-priced seats sell. That is why finding the best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest is less about waiting for a secret Tuesday deal and more about using a smart booking routine.

Southwest’s 2025 average passenger fare was $190.41, up 6.7% from $178.40 in 2024. The airline carried about 367,000 revenue passengers per day throughout the year. Therefore, do not rely on one “magic” booking day. Check the Southwest Low Fare Calendar, compare nearby dates, book a fare you can accept, and keep checking after you buy.

For most domestic trips, start tracking fares one to two months before departure. However, book earlier for school breaks, long weekends, major events, and the winter holidays. Secure a workable fare before good flights disappear, then recheck if a sale appears.

This article explains how to find better Southwest fares using current airline data, flexible-date searches, and practical booking strategies.

 

What Is the Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets on Southwest?

There is no official Southwest rule that says Tuesday, Wednesday, or any other day will always be cheapest. In fact, fares change based on route demand, seats left, travel dates, and sales. So, anyone who promises one perfect weekday is overselling the idea.

Still, Tuesday and Wednesday are useful days to check. Airlines often launch or match promotions during the week. Consequently, midweek searches can uncover a sale or show lower-priced travel dates. That does not mean you should delay a good fare until Tuesday.

The best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest is the day a good fare appears for a trip you are ready to book. Southwest’s own guidance is to look early and use the Low Fare Calendar to compare prices across a full month. This approach is more reliable than chasing a specific hour of the week.

Related – Best Way to Earn Southwest Companion Pass in One Calendar Year 

 

Best Time to Book Southwest Flights – A Simple Timing

Timing matters more than the weekday you click “buy.” First, use this planning window as a practical starting point. Booking too early can mean paying before lower fares appear. However, booking too late can leave you with fewer flight times and higher prices.

Your route, season, and travel flexibility should guide when you book.

 

Domestic Southwest flights – Start Looking One to Two Months Ahead

For many domestic trips, begin serious fare tracking one to two months before you leave. This range gives you time to compare dates without waiting until the last minute. It also gives you a chance to act when a sale shows up.

For example, flying from Chicago to Denver on a normal fall week is not the same as flying for Thanksgiving. A normal week may have several low-fare dates. A holiday week may sell quickly. Therefore, book earlier when your dates are fixed.

 

International Southwest flights – Start Three to Five Months Ahead

For international routes, start searching about three to five months ahead. Southwest serves select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Those routes can have less capacity than major domestic markets. As a result, waiting for a last-minute drop is usually a higher-risk plan.

 

Peak travel dates – Book when Southwest opens a Fair Price

For spring break, summer weekends, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, check prices as soon as your dates are known. Then, book when the price fits your budget. Do not wait for a perfect calendar day if you need a nonstop flight, a family-friendly schedule, or a specific airport.

The best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest during a peak period is often the first day you see an acceptable option. Later, you can still check for a drop. That balance protects your trip and your budget.

 

A Better Way to Find the Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets on Southwest

Instead of checking one weekday over and over, use a five-step routine. This method helps you compare dates, spot sales, and book with more confidence. The goal is not to wait for a perfect “cheap day.” Instead, focus on finding a fair fare for your route, travel dates, and budget.

These steps can help you avoid paying more than necessary while keeping your plans flexible.

 

1. Search flexible dates before you search fixed dates

Open the Low Fare Calendar and look at a full month. Next, test leaving one day earlier or returning one day later. A small shift can change your total by much more than waiting until Tuesday.

Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often less popular than Friday and Sunday flights. However, the route matters. A Tuesday morning business route can still cost more than a Saturday afternoon flight. Always compare the real calendar, not a generic rule.

 

2. Book a fare that works before you overthink it

Once you find a reasonable fare, book it. This is especially helpful when your trip has little flexibility. For instance, a job interview, a new-home closing, or a family event is not the time to gamble on a smaller drop.

Southwest does not charge a fee to change a flight, although you may pay a fare difference when the replacement flight costs more. Therefore, a booking can give you a seat now while leaving room to adjust later under the fare rules that apply to your ticket.

 

3. Check Southwest sales and special offers

Visit Southwest’s flight deals and offers page before you book and again after you book. Sales often have short booking windows and specific travel dates. Read the fine print, because blackout-style exclusions, day-of-week limits, and route limits can apply to promotional fares.

Also, sign up for Southwest promotional emails or texts if you fly the airline often. That gives you a direct alert when a new sale appears. Indeed, getting the offer early matters more than guessing a universal best weekday.

 

4. Recheck your itinerary after you buy

Rechecking is the step many travelers skip. Search your exact flight again after a sale or every week or two. If a lower option is available, review the current change and credit terms before making a change.

The best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest is not always a one-time event. It can be the day you first lock in a good fare, followed by a later day when you lower the total. Keep a note of the original fare, the route, the flight number, and the rules for the fare you bought.

 

5. Compare total trip cost, not just the base fare

A low ticket price is helpful. Yet, it is not the full cost of a trip. Add bags, seat needs, airport parking, ground transport, meals, and one night of lodging if your schedule requires it.

This point matters even more for a move. A $40 cheaper flight is not a win if it forces an extra hotel night or makes you pay for more baggage. You may also be able to use Southwest points for hotel stays to reduce lodging costs. For extra ways to keep the trip total down, see this guide on avoiding baggage fees.

 

Which Days Are Cheapest to Fly on Southwest?

The cheapest day to buy and the cheapest day to fly are different questions. In many markets, Tuesday and Wednesday departures can be less expensive because fewer people want to travel then. Saturday can also be worth checking. Meanwhile, Friday afternoon and Sunday evening flights often carry stronger demand.

That pattern is useful, but it is not a guarantee. A convention, college game, or local festival can change prices fast. Specifically, compare all realistic departure days in the calendar before you commit.

The best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest may be Monday, while the best day to fly is Wednesday. Keep those choices separate. One is about fare availability. The other is about travel demand.

Also read – How Many Southwest Rapid Rewards Points for a Free Flight?

 

Use a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card to Reduce Flight Costs

A Southwest credit card will not make every ticket cheap. However, it can lower your overall travel cost when Southwest is already the airline you use most.

Southwest’s Rapid Rewards cards are issued by Chase. The current consumer lineup includes the Plus, Premier, and Priority cards. Their exact welcome offers, annual fees, and benefits can change.

Here is what to consider –

• Welcome bonus – A new card bonus may give you a useful credit card points balance after you meet the required spend. Do not spend more than planned to earn it.
• First checked bag benefit – Eligible Southwest cardmembers can receive a first checked bag benefit for themselves and qualifying travelers on the same reservation. This can matter for a family trip or relocation flight.
• Anniversary points – Some cards provide annual points. Those points can offset a future Southwest fare.
• Southwest purchase rewards – Higher earn rates on Southwest purchases may help regular flyers earn points faster.
• Companion Pass progress – Eligible card spending and certain qualifying points can support a Companion Pass strategy. Read the current terms before you count points toward it.

Use only a Southwest card if its benefits fit your normal travel and your budget. It may also help when you are looking for the best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest, since earned points and travel perks can reduce the total cost of an eligible trip.

Pay the balance in full each month, because interest charges can erase the value of points very quickly.

 

Compare Southwest Credit Cards Before You Apply

A Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card can cut travel costs if you fly Southwest often. Choose based on your budget, baggage needs, and seat preferences. Each card offers a first checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to eight people on the same reservation, subject to the card terms.

That can be valuable for family trips or relocation travel.

Southwest Credit Card	Annual Fee	Key Benefits (Shortened)	Best For	Card Link
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card	$99	Free first checked bag, 3K anniversary points, Group 5 boarding, 10% annual flight discount, standard seat selection (48 hrs).	Occasional Southwest flyers on a budget.	Apply Now
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card	$149	Free first bag, 6K anniversary points, Group 5 boarding, 15% flight discount, seat selection (48 hrs), and no foreign fees.	Regular Southwest travelers.	Apply Now
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card	$229	Free first bag, 7.5K anniversary points, Group 5 boarding, preferred seats, extra legroom upgrades, 4X Southwest points.	Frequent flyers want premium perks.	Apply Now
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card	$149	Free first bag, 6K anniversary points, Group 5 boarding, 3X Southwest points, 25% inflight credit, seat selection (48 hrs).	Small business travelers.	Apply Now
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card	$299	Free first bag, 9K anniversary points, Group 5 boarding, 4X Southwest points, employee cards, upgrade & status perks.	High-spend business travelers.	Apply Now

The Plus card works best for low annual cost users. For balanced perks, the Premier card is a solid mid option. Frequent flyers get the most value from the Priority card.

Compare the annual fee with the savings you expect to receive when looking for the best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest. Do not apply only for a welcome offer, since offers can change.

Also, pay the balance in full each month, because interest charges can quickly outweigh the value of points and card benefits.

 

How Points Change the Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets on Southwest

Rapid Rewards points can make the booking decision easier. Southwest says reward seats have no blackout dates, but the points required can vary with demand, route, travel day, fare type, and the airline’s redemption rate.

First, price your trip in both cash and points. Next, compare the value you get from each choice. If the cash price rises while the points price is still manageable, points may be the better option. Conversely, save your points when the cash fare is low.

When you book with points, track the itinerary just as you would a cash ticket. The best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest with points is still the day you find a value that works for your dates. Flexibility often saves more than waiting for a rumor about a midweek sale.

 

Southwest Booking Mistakes That Cost Travelers Money

Booking a Southwest flight can be simple, but small mistakes may lead to higher fares, lost flexibility, or extra travel costs. Avoiding these common errors can help you keep more money in your budget and make smarter booking choices.

A little planning can make a big difference, especially during holidays, school breaks, and busy weekend travel periods.

Compare fares, review the rules, and check your flight again after booking so you do not miss a better option.

 

Waiting for a “magic” Tuesday

A Tuesday sale may happen. However, it is not a promise. If the fare suits your needs, booking it can be smarter than hoping for a small drop.

Waiting too long can also mean losing the best flight time, nonstop option, or lower fare class. Track the price, but do not let a small possible saving put your whole trip at risk.

 

Ignoring the Low Fare Calendar

The calendar is one of Southwest’s most useful tools. It shows the lowest fares currently available on each day within a month. Use it before choosing a fixed itinerary.

It can also reveal cheaper travel dates that you may not have considered. Leaving one day earlier or returning one day later could save more than waiting for a weekly sale.

 

Forgetting to review current fare rules

Southwest now sells several fare bundles, including Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Benefits and credit treatment can differ. Consequently, read the rules for your exact fare before you cancel, change, or downgrade.

This step matters because the lowest fare may have fewer flexible options than a higher bundle. Review the terms before booking so you know what happens if your plans change later.

 

Treating a move like a normal weekend trip

A relocation flight often includes more bags, stricter dates, and real deadline pressure. Build a full travel budget before you buy. Then use a 30-day relocation calendar to coordinate flights, housing, movers, and key paperwork.

Also, factor in airport transfers, luggage needs, temporary lodging, and the cost of changing plans. A slightly higher fare may be worth it when it makes your move easier and avoids extra expenses.

Recommended read – How Does Southwest Family Boarding Work? Insider Tips for Parents

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets on Southwest

 

1. Is Tuesday the best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest?

Tuesday is a good day to check, especially when a new promotion may be live. However, Southwest does not guarantee that Tuesday fares are always the lowest. The better method is to compare flexible dates, watch sales, and book a fare you are comfortable with.

 

2. How far ahead should you book a Southwest domestic flight?

Start watching fares one to two months before a normal domestic trip. For holidays, school breaks, or a must-take flight, start earlier and book once you see a reasonable fare.

 

3. Can you get money back if my Southwest flight price drops?

Southwest does not charge a change fee, but fare differences and credit rules apply. Review the terms for the specific fare you purchased before making a change. Also, cancel or change before the deadline shown in Southwest’s rules.

 

4. Do Southwest Rapid Rewards points expire?

Southwest says Rapid Rewards points do not expire. Still, the number of points needed for a flight can change. Therefore, check both cash and points prices before booking.

 

5. What is the best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

For peak holiday travel, the best day is usually when you first see a fare and schedule you can accept. Demand is high, and the best nonstop flights can disappear. Book early, then recheck during any applicable sale.

 

Plan the Flight and the Move in One Place

Finding the best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest can help lower your travel costs. Yet, a smooth move depends on more than the ticket. Relo.AI can help you think through relocation timing, destination planning, housing choices, travel expenses, and the practical steps that come after you land.

Moving costs can include flights, baggage, hotels, rental cars, airport transfers, meals, movers, and temporary housing. These expenses can add up quickly. Therefore, planning your travel and relocation budget together can help you avoid surprises.

Relo.AI supports individuals and families before, during, and after a move. We can help you compare destinations, plan housing needs, review expected costs, and organize key moving tasks around your timeline.

Every relocation is different. Some moves require one flight and a short hotel stay.

Others involve multiple trips, extra luggage, family travel, or temporary housing before a permanent home is ready.

Schedule a FREE strategy call with Relo.AI for practical support with relocation planning, travel expenses, and your next move. Call us directly at +1-617-333-8453-RELO.

 

Wrapping Up!

The best day to buy airline tickets on Southwest is not a single weekday on every route. Instead, search early, compare flexible dates, watch official promotions, and book a fare that fits your plan. Then recheck after you book, because a lower price may still appear. For normal domestic trips, start tracking one to two months ahead. For international or peak travel, give yourself more time.

Finally, use points or a Southwest credit card only when the value is real and the cost fits your budget.

 

Sources –

• Low Fare Calendar – Southwest
• Finding the Lowest Fares – Southwest
• Fare Information and Rules – Southwest
• Flight Deals and Offers – Southwest
• Rapid Rewards Credit Cards – Chase Southwest

 

 

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