6 Nearly Secret Things To Do If You Fly Southwest

Last updated Oct. 9, 2025 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

AIRLINE NEWS: Southwest Airlines will soon move to an assigned seating model — a departure from its policy of allowing passengers to choose any available seat upon boarding.

Maybe you're excited for this change, or maybe not. But if you love flying Southwest, the money moves on this page were practically made for you. Because being a savvy traveler doesn't always mean getting the window seat.

Read on to learn how you can earn extra cash, save more money, cancel unwanted bills and much, much more.

Make travel cost less with 75,000 bonus points worth up to $1,125 toward travel

You shouldn't have to work even harder in order to pay for a simple vacation ... or even just a trip to see friends or family. That's why we love this credit card so much. You can potentially lower the price of your next trip with this powerful card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card (Rates and fees) is known as one of the top travel cards around — and the current welcome offer makes it a must-have. You can earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

That's worth up to $1,125 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. (That's up to $1,125 that could significantly lower the cost of your next trip.)

Plus, earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases — with an extremely low annual fee of $95.

Recommended Credit Score

Good

670-739

Excellent

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Use this genius trick to save money on flights

Travel can be pricey. But this new extension could make your travel plans way cheaper than you thought possible.

Capital One Shopping can help you find lower prices on flights, hotels, and other travel necessities. It can automatically apply available coupons and compare prices across sites — if there is an available deal on a flight or hotel, it’ll show it to you. It also works with Amazon and other websites to find you even more deals.

Download the extension now before you go to book your next flight. It only takes a few seconds to install, but if you don’t get it you could be missing out on savings the next time you travel.

Get the extension

Ohio Driver? Cancel your car insurance

Driving without car insurance is illegal, but if you do this, you’re not actually breaking the law.

This tool can help you see if you’re overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks. You’d be shocked by the difference. $159 per month is what they wanted to charge me. I thought that was the best price, don’t even look anywhere else. Right? Wrong.

I used this tool and now I’m able to pay just $47 a month for two cars.¹ Actual savings and coverage options vary based on factors such as driving history, location, and insurer policies. The rates shown in this example may not reflect what every user will qualify for. Too many insurance companies do this. They push up our rates and make us pay even more. But if you want to try this tool and compare and potentially score same-day savings, here’s what to do:

Click the link below and enter your zip code, date of birth, and phone number.
Answer a few questions about your car’s make and model to get matched with top offers.
Choose the best quote for you and lock it in before rates go up.

Compare rates now and see if you could score same-day savings today!

I can hardly believe I waited so long to do this, but I’m glad I finally did. It only took me two minutes. Super fast. You have to trust me on this. Just try it out.

Set up direct deposit - pocket $300

If you aren't banking with SoFi®, you're missing out on a huge boost of extra cash just by following a few simple steps.

Earn a bonus of $50 or $300² New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. when you open a SoFi Checking and Savings account and make an eligible direct deposit within the first 25 calendar days of the promotional period. Eligible direct deposits totaling $1,000-$4,999 unlock the $50 bonus, and $5,000 or more unlock the $300 bonus.² New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. Easy.

This is practically passive income and a great way to supercharge your earnings. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following the steps above. Plus, your new account could earn up to an insane 4.50% APY³ Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 9/3/25. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. on savings (3.80% APY standard + 0.70% APY boost for six months) on top of the bonus.

Open your account and earn up to a $300 bonus

Pay no interest into 2027

Imagine getting an introductory 15 months with 0% intro APR on a big purchase or balance transfer (APR then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with one of the industry-leading low-interest cards — the Discover it^® Cash Back (Rates and fees).

Cardholders get a generous intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases (APR then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable) — that means you can cover bills, large purchases, or whatever you need to charge and not pay interest into 2027!

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (APR then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

The best part? The Discover it^® Cash Back card is accepted by 99% of merchants (according to the February 2025 issue of the Nilson Report), boasts an exceptional cash back rewards rate, and there's no annual fee.

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Need to change your ticket? No problem (and no fees)

Let's say you fall in love in Belize and want to stay an extra two weeks (we can dream), or something comes up at work and you can't take that weekend trip you had planned. Things happen in life you don't expect, and the Southwest Airlines flight change policy reflects that fact.

While other major airlines might charge up to $150 to change your ticket to another date, Southwest will never charge a change fee. You might pay a difference in the cost of the fare, but you'll never have to pay more than that to change your ticket.

If the price drops, you can get a credit toward a future trip

Another great feature of Southwest's change policy is that you can rebook your ticket if the fare price drops. You'll receive the difference in credit toward a future flight. This allows you to book your flight well in advance and still take advantage of last-minute deals.

Benefits

Card Details

Excellent earning potential for a $0 annual fee
Offers a welcome bonus
No spending caps on rewards categories
Cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
Apply Now

Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
$0 annual fee.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.99%, 23.99%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.