After flying Southwest for years, I’ve tried just about every way to book flights — through apps, websites, and even third-party sites — but hands down, the best way to book Southwest flights is directly through their official website or mobile app.
I learned that lesson the hard way a few summers ago. I was planning a quick trip from Dallas to Denver for a weekend hiking getaway and thought I’d be clever by comparing fares on a big travel search site. The problem? Southwest flights don’t actually show up on those third-party booking platforms. I almost missed out on a great deal because of that.
When I went straight to the Southwest Airlines app, I found their “Low Fare Calendar” feature, which shows the cheapest days to fly. That one feature alone has saved me hundreds of dollars. Plus, when I had to change a return flight due to weather, it was super easy to modify right from the app — no extra fees, just paid the fare difference.
I’ve also noticed that booking directly gives you instant access to things like EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding, and the ability to use flight credits if you cancel. Everything stays tied to your Rapid Rewards account, which makes earning points seamless.
Now, I don’t even bother searching elsewhere. The convenience, flexibility, and price transparency make Southwest’s own platform the best — and most reliable — way to book.
