How to Use Southwest Dining Rewards to Earn Points [Guide]

Earning enough Southwest points to make a rewards redemption can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help you earn miles and points faster at no additional cost. One of these methods involves signing up for an airline or hotel’s dining rewards program.

This article walks you through the Southwest dining program to show you how it works and the types of point bonuses you can expect.

Table of contents

How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using The Program
Bonuses offers
Example Restaurants
Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards
Conclusion

Table of Contents

How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using The Program
Bonuses offers
Example Restaurants
Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards
Conclusion

How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using The Program

Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining Program — Basic information required to sign up for the dining program for Southwest.

Rapid Rewards Dining requires you to enter basic information about yourself, register your Southwest Rapid Rewards number, and create a separate login for the reward program.

You will also need to link a credit card to your profile at the time of joining – don’t worry, you won’t be charged for anything!

Earning extra rewards works like this: whenever you use a card linked to your profile at a participating restaurant, you will earn bonus points based on the cost of your meal, including tax and tip. It won’t require registering your meal after the fact or keeping track of receipts – everything is automatic.

After your meal is over, you’ll have a chance to review your experience for 10 more Southwest points.

You can have a maximum of 6 credit cards linked to your profile, so anytime you use any of those cards for dining you will automatically earn rewards.

Southwest’s dining portal is a bit different than some other airlines’ because the number of bonus points earned doesn’t vary between restaurants. You’ll earn 3 bonus points per dollar spent at participating restaurants when you opt in to email notifications from Rapid Rewards Dining.

You’ll only earn 1 bonus Rapid Reward point per $2 spent if you don’t opt in to email notifications.

Bonuses offers

It’s often possible to earn an introductory bonus for joining the dining program and completing specific requirements within a specified time period.

The current bonus available is for up to 1000 bonus when visiting participating restaurants within 30 days of joining the program. You’ll earn 500 points for your first visit, 250 for your second visit and 250 for your third visit – all with minimum spends of $25 for each visit. You’ll also need to review your experience within 30 days of dining.

In the past, these bonuses have gone as high as 2,000 Rapid Rewards points! However, you’re probably better off joining now so you can earn 3 points for every dollar right away, instead of waiting for a sign-up bonus that may never return!

You will also get a first step bonus of 500 points after you reach your first 1,500 and a thank you bonus of 300 points each time you accrue 1,000 points. This is one of the most generous dining programs we’ve seen!

Example Restaurants

As mentioned above, the number of rewards earned doesn’t vary by dining experience. Grab a quick bite or dine at a fine establishment; all that matters is that the restaurant is participating in the program.

When I did a search for restaurants near Boulder, CO, the dining portal listed 107 participating restaurants within 30 miles. Most of the restaurants listed were smaller local restaurants rather than chain locations.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining Program Restaurant Search — A few of the restaurant options in Boulder, CO, where you can earn Southwest bonus points.

There were a few chain options listed, but in some cases, not every location participated. Here are a few examples:

Buca di Beppo
Burger King
Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse

Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points

The points you earn through the Southwest Dining program are all in addition to the regular credit card rewards you would earn.

If you are mainly interested in Southwest points, you should consider using a card that earns Southwest rewards directly or one that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.

Below is a list of cards that earn these reward currencies.

Hot Tip: Using a card that earns 2x dining points is a great way to boost your earned miles and points even more!

Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Chase business credit cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards

Hot Tip: Check out the benefits of the best Southwest credit cards!

Conclusion

Joining Rapid Rewards Dining and linking your credit cards is a fast, easy, and convenient way to earn more Southwest points when you are dining out. You might also enjoy using the shopping portal as well to really maximize rewards.

Pair this with a credit card that earns a category bonus for spending at restaurants, and you’ll be ready to redeem your next Southwest award in no time!

Frequently asked questions

What are Southwest Rapid Rewards points?

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are the points you can earn and redeem in Southwest’s frequent flyer program.

How many points can I earn through the Southwest Dining Portal?

The number of points you can earn through Southwest Rapid Rewards dining depends on how much you spend at participating restaurants. You can earn up to 3 bonus points per dollar spent at participating restaurants every time you dine.

Do I need to submit my receipt in order to earn points?

No, after you enroll in the program and link a credit card, all you need to do is spend money on your linked credit card at a participating restaurant and your points will be credited automatically.

Can my spouse earn points on my account?

As long as the credit card used to pay for the meal is linked to your account, the points should credit properly.

Is there a limit to the number of points I can earn?

No, there isn’t a limit to the number of points you can earn.

Do the points earned through the dining portal count toward the Southwest Companion Pass?

Great news – yes! The 3 points per dollar spent will count toward your Southwest Companion Pass. Unfortunately, any bonus points earned when signing up will not.

1 comment

ChapelHillBetsy July 9, 2022

I signed up for the dining rewards program today, but the program in my area (Chapel Hill/Durham, NC) doesn’t have any restaurants like Boulder, CO — Bucca de Beppo or any Brazilian Steakhouses or chop houses, or bistros. What it did have was mostly Dominos Pizza and other pizza places. It was a rather disappointing representation of restaurants with few exceptions. They should do better.

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How To Join/Log in & Basics of Using The Program

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