Deal alert: Up to 30% off Southwest fares

Southwest Airlines just launched a limited sale, offering up to 30% off travel throughout the continental U.S., Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Select international routes are also eligible.

Use the code “TAKE30” through Monday for 30% off travel within the continental U.S. from April 22-Aug. 27 and travel to Hawaii, Puerto Rico and international destinations from Aug. 17-Oct. 3. You can also get 30% off interisland Hawaii flights from April 22-June 3.

Deal basics

• Airline: Southwest Airlines.
• Routes: Across Southwest’s network.
• How to book: Directly with Southwest Airlines using the promo code “TAKE30.”
• Travel dates: From late April through October, depending on the route.
• Book by: April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
• Blackout dates: Vary based on route and timing. June 26 is not on sale on continental U.S. routes.

Sample flights

Use Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar with the promo code applied to search for your desired route. I did a quick search for flights from California to Hawaii. I wouldn’t say there were a ton of available deals, but I did find a few dates with discounts using either cash or Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Here’s a fare calendar for August flights from Long Beach to Maui. You’ll save about $70 on this round-trip flight, which comes in around $385.

You could book that same discounted flight with points, too. A round-trip flight that would normally cost you 32,000 Rapid Rewards points can be had during the sale for 25,500 Rapid Rewards points plus $11.20 in taxes and fees.

Maximize your purchase

If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees): 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): 2 points per dollar spent on travel

Bottom line

This sale applies to both cash and points bookings for Southwest flights and is valid for travel in the continental U.S. and to Puerto Rico, Hawaii and international destinations. Book by Monday to save.

Related reading:

• How to redeem your points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program
• How to earn and use the Southwest Companion Pass