Does Southwest do Black Friday deals?

The short answer is yes, but not always in the way other airlines might.

Southwest Airlines has a somewhat unique approach to sales, and Black Friday is no exception. While you might not see massive, company-wide "Black Friday Sale!" banners dominating their homepage in the same way you would for an electronics retailer, Southwest does typically offer some form of promotion around the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.

Here's what to expect and what makes Southwest's approach a little different:

Southwest's Typical Sale Strategy:

Southwest is famous for its "Wanna Get Away" sales that pop up frequently throughout the year, often on a Tuesday. These sales offer competitive fares on specific routes and travel dates. Their birthday sale in June (around June 18th, their founding date) is often considered one of their biggest and most consistent sales of the year.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Tendencies:

While they don't always brand it explicitly as a "Black Friday Sale," here's what Southwest has done in the past during this period:

• Targeted Fare Sales: You might see limited-time sales on specific routes or for certain travel periods. These can be very good deals, sometimes matching or even beating their other sales throughout the year.

• Rapid Rewards Points Offers: Southwest often offers discounts or bonuses when booking flights using Rapid Rewards points. In some past Black Friday periods, they've offered a percentage off base fares when booked with points, which can be a fantastic way to maximize your points.

• Vacation Package Deals: Sometimes, their Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotions are more focused on vacation packages that combine flights with hotels or car rentals. These can offer significant savings if you're looking to book a complete trip.

• Gift Card Promotions: Keep an eye out for third-party retailers (like Costco or Sam's Club) offering discounted Southwest gift cards around Black Friday. Buying a gift card at a reduced price can be a great way to save money on future Southwest flights, effectively giving you a discount regardless of ongoing fare sales.

What NOT to Expect (Usually):

• Flash Sales on All Routes: Unlike some airlines that might have broad, aggressive sales across their entire network, Southwest's Black Friday deals tend to be more targeted to specific destinations or travel windows.

• Industry-Leading Discounts on All Fares: While their deals can be excellent, they might not always be the absolute lowest prices you'll find, especially for peak travel times.

Tips for Finding Southwest Black Friday Deals:

1. Check Southwest.com Directly: The airline's official website will be the first place to announce any direct sales or promotions.

2. Sign Up for Email Alerts: Subscribe to Southwest's email newsletter. They send out notifications for all their sales, including any Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotions.

3. Follow on Social Media: Keep an eye on Southwest's social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram). Airlines often tease or announce sales there.

4. Be Flexible: As with any flight deal, flexibility with your travel dates and destinations will greatly increase your chances of finding the best prices. Black Friday deals often apply to off-peak travel or specific days of the week.

5. Consider Gift Cards: Look for deals on Southwest gift cards from other retailers, as these can offer a guaranteed discount on future flights.

   
   

While Southwest may not always participate in Black Friday with the same fanfare as other airlines, savvy travelers can still find excellent value and deals around the holiday shopping period. It just requires a bit of awareness of their typical sales patterns and knowing where to look!