Planning an unforgettable vacation without breaking the bank is possible with a little planning and savvy budgeting. Southwest Vacation Packages offers a variety of ways to save money on your next trip, from flexible travel dates to discounted rates on select destinations.
Southwest Vacations is the leisure vacation package product for Southwest Airlines and is operated by ALG Vacations Corp. The company offers flight + hotel packages to over 80 destinations within the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. These bundles provide travelers with discounted rates compared to booking flights and hotels separately.
In this article, we will cover the details of Southwest’s vacation packages, including what’s included, how to book, top destinations, travel dates, ways to save money, options for groups, and loyalty program perks. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, family vacation, or solo adventure, Southwest likely has a package that fits your needs. Read on to learn more about maximizing value and customizing your next Southwest vacation package.
Bundle and save
Southwest’s Vacation Package Offerings
Southwest Airlines offers a variety of inclusive vacation packages that bundle flights, hotels, car rentals, and other add-ons to popular destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Southwest packages include:
Flight + Hotel Packages: These are the most popular type of vacation package, and for good reason. They offer all-inclusive pricing for your airfare and hotel accommodations, making it easy to budget for your trip.
Flight + Car Packages: These packages are a great option if you plan on exploring your destination beyond the city center. They include a rental car with your flight and hotel, so you can drive yourself to all the sights and attractions you want to see.
Flight + Activities Packages: These packages are perfect for those who want to have a more organized and planned vacation. They include your airfare, hotel, and tickets to a variety of activities, such as tours, excursions, and shows.
All-Inclusive Packages: These packages offer the ultimate in relaxation and pampering. They include your airfare, hotel, meals, drinks, and activities, all for one price.
Themed Getaways: These packages are designed to appeal to specific interests or hobbies. For example, there are packages for golfers, families, honeymooners, and adventure seekers.
Flexible Booking: Southwest Vacation Packages are very flexible, which means you can change your travel dates, hotel, or activities without penalty. This is especially convenient if you’re not sure of your plans yet.
Exclusive Perks: Southwest Vacation Packages often come with exclusive perks, such as room upgrades, free nights, and kids’ free deals.
Bags Fly Free: With Southwest Vacation Packages, your checked bags fly free. This is a great savings, especially if you’re planning on bringing a lot of luggage.
Overall, Southwest Vacation packages are a great way to save money and have a hassle-free vacation. With their wide variety of options and flexible booking policies, you’re sure to find the perfect package for your next getaway.
Southwest also offers value-packed bundles and promotional packages that are available on a limited basis for top destinations. The options provide flexibility and convenience for vacation planning.
Booking Process Southwest Vacation Packages
Southwest offers a streamlined booking process for vacation packages on its website and mobile app. Customers can browse package options and price them out before booking.
To book a Southwest vacation package, first select your origin and destination city pairs along with your intended travel dates. Then filter the offerings by price, theme, activities, etc to find the right package for you.
When you’ve found one you like, you can view all the details including flight times, hotel information, rental car details, and more.
To complete a booking, you’ll provide passenger information and make payment. Southwest accepts all major credit cards.
After booking, you can easily make changes and cancel your package if needed, subject to their policies:
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Flight changes incur a fare difference plus a $100 fee per person. Cancelations with refunds are allowed up to 24 hours before departure.
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Hotel and rental car cancelations with refunds are allowed up to 24 hours before hotel check-in or car pickup.
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Activities and tours booked through Southwest follow the cancelation policy set by the provider.
Review all details at booking and make note of the cancelation windows to avoid penalties if plans change.
If the price of an identical package is lower than the price you paid, Southwest promises they’ll issue the difference to you in the form of a travel credit good for future travel.
Included Amenities Southwest Vacation Packages
Southwest’s vacation packages can include several amenities to make your trip easy and enjoyable.
Flights
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Roundtrip flights on Southwest Airlines are included with all packages. You’ll earn points towards the Southwest Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program on these flights.
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Southwest offers free checked bags, so you don’t have to pay extra baggage fees on your vacation.
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In-flight amenities like free non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are included.
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You can select your preferred departure airport and flight times when booking your package.
Hotels Southwest Vacation Packages
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Hotel accommodations at major hotel chains are included for the length of your stay. You can choose from various hotel categories and locations.
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Southwest partners with top hotels like Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Wyndham, and Hilton. Access to on-site amenities like pools, gyms, restaurants, etc is included.
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You can select room options like suites, connecting rooms for families, smoking vs non-smoking, and more.
Rental Cars
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Add a rental car to your package for airport pick-up and drop-off and transportation during your vacation.
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Major rental car companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and Hertz are available. Choose car size and amenities.
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Insurance options, GPS rentals, and child safety seats are available for additional fees.
Activities
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Certain packages include activity vouchers for local attractions, tours, shows, and more at your destination.
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These vary by location but can include things like museum tickets, city tours, show tickets, meals, and other special offers.
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Activities help you experience the culture and sights at your destination.
Top Destinations Southwest Vacation Packages
Southwest offers vacation packages to many exciting destinations across the United States and beyond. Some of the most popular package destinations include:
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a perennially popular vacation spot, with its glitzy casinos, world-class entertainment, restaurants, and nightlife. Southwest vacation packages to Vegas often include hotel stays on the Strip, discounted show tickets, restaurant vouchers, and more. Highlights include seeing the Bellagio fountains, exploring the casinos, catching a Cirque du Soleil performance, or taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
Orlando
Orlando is home to some of the world’s best theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld. Southwest Orlando packages typically bundle park tickets with discounted hotel rates, allowing you to maximize your time at the parks. Don’t miss Magic Kingdom, Islands of Adventure, Epcot, and more during your family vacation.
Cancun Southwest Vacation Packages
For a beach getaway, Cancun is a top choice in Mexico. Southwest’s Cancun vacation packages include nonstop airfare and all-inclusive resort stays with dining, drinks, and activities included. Relax on the white sand beaches, explore Mayan ruins, go snorkeling, and experience the vibrant nightlife and cuisine in this popular Caribbean destination.
Cabo San Lucas
On Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is famous for its beaches, sea arch, fishing, and buzzing nightlife. Southwest vacation packages to Cabo make it easy to enjoy luxury beachfront resorts teeming with amenities and activities. Whale watching, golf, and boat tours allow you to make the most of this sunny Mexican escape.
Hawaii
With tropical Hawaiian islands to choose from, Southwest vacation packages are a great way to visit this Pacific paradise. Discounted airfare and hotel deals allow you to experience Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island in style. From snorkeling in clear waters to hikes through volcanoes and rainforests, Hawaii offers unforgettable adventures.
Travel Dates
Southwest’s vacation packages can be booked for travel anytime during the year. However, certain times tend to have better deals and availability.
Fall Travel:Â September through November (excluding Thanksgiving week) is generally considered the “shoulder season” with fewer crowds and lower prices on airfare and hotels. This can be an ideal time for budget-conscious travelers to book a Southwest package. Deals are typically offered on packages to places like Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas and more.
Winter Travel: Late January through March (excluding Spring Break weeks in March) is another good shoulder season for savings. Travel to warm weather destinations like Arizona, Southern California, Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico can offer lower rates during these cooler months. Ski destinations also offer deals on winter packages.
Summer Travel: June through August is the peak travel season with higher rates, but Southwest does offer vacation packages in the summer months. Traveling in early June or late August may yield some savings. Packages to Europe and Alaska are popular summer options. Flexible dates help find the best fares.
Peak Dates:Â Expect fewer deals around major holidays and school breaks. However, Southwest sometimes offers promotions like kids fly free or credits to offset the higher fares. Planning around peak times can maximize savings on air and hotel costs. Signing up for fare alerts can help snag good deals.
Being flexible with travel dates when possible will give the most options to find lower fares and take advantage of Southwest package promotions throughout the year.
Saving Money on Southwest Vacation Packages
Southwest offers various ways to save money on vacation packages. Here are some insider tips:
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Book early. Southwest typically offers their lowest fares when booking 21+ days in advance. Their best deals get snapped up quickly.
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Use Southwest promo codes. Look for promo codes on the Southwest website. You can often find codes for % off vacation packages.
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Fly midweek. Fares are typically lower Tuesday-Thursday. If possible, fly out and back during the week.
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Check out risk-free prices. Southwest allows you to freeze prices for up to 7 days while you finalize travel plans.
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Leverage Southwest points. You can use Rapid Rewards points to cover the entire package or lower the cash price. Points packages usually offer the best value.
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Consider nearby airports. Flying into an alternate airport like Burbank instead of LAX can mean big savings.
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Book a package. Packages with flight + hotel + car tend to be cheaper than booking individually.
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Travel shoulder season. Aim for spring and fall for better deals vs peak summer dates.
Group Travel
Southwest offers a variety of options for group travel for families, corporate groups, weddings, skiing, gambling, romantic, cultural, and more.
Family Travel
Southwest’s family vacation packages make it easy for families big and small to book an affordable getaway. Packages can include roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, rental cars, tickets to attractions, and more. Southwest offers perks for families like allowing 2 free checked bags per person and not charging change fees. Their low fares make it possible for large families to travel affordably.
Corporate Travel
Companies can take advantage of Southwest’s corporate travel packages to book group travel for conferences, corporate retreats, team-building trips, and more. Companies can get group discounts, earn rewards, and customize packages to meet their needs. Corporate packages may include airfare, hotel stays, ground transportation, dining and entertainment options, and conference/event space. Southwest makes it easy to manage group travel logistics.
Wedding Travel
Couples getting married can book wedding travel packages to help coordinate transportation for guests. Southwest offers group discounts on blocks of airfare tickets to the wedding destination. The packages can bundle airfare with hotel room blocks at nearby properties to accommodate wedding guests. Southwest’s policies make it easy to change names on reservations if guests can no longer attend. Wedding packages take the stress out of travel planning for destination weddings.
Loyalty Perks
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards loyalty program offers members additional perks when booking vacation packages. Here are some of the key benefits:
Using Points
Members can pay for all or part of their vacation package using Rapid Rewards points. This allows you to reduce the cash outlay or even book reward vacations for free. You’ll get even more value from your points when redeeming for packages versus individual flight awards.
Rapid Rewards members can also earn additional points from booking vacation packages, especially when paired with a Southwest-branded credit card. This makes packages a great way to quickly rack up points for free flights and travel.
Status Benefits Southwest Vacation Packages
Southwest elite status members (A-List and A-List Preferred) receive additional perks on vacation packages. This includes priority access to package deals, especially for peak travel dates.
Elites can also qualify for discounts on packages not offered to regular members. Plus, they enjoy extras like free upgrades, priority boarding, free EarlyBird Check-In, and more.
Maximizing status perks allows Southwest loyalists to get the lowest prices and the best experience when booking vacation packages.
Conclusion about Southwest Vacation Packages
Southwest Airlines offers a variety of inclusive and flexible vacation packages to popular destinations across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Their packages bundle flight, hotel, car rental, and other amenities into a single booking for added convenience and savings.
When booking a Southwest vacation package, be sure to shop around for the best deals, taking advantage of seasonal discounts and promotions. Packages with longer stays, traveling during off-peak times, and bundling multiple components together can unlock additional savings. Consider traveling as a group or using Southwest points to lower costs further.
Southwest’s website and customer service make vacation planning simple. You can easily build a customized package while taking advantage of their expertise and insider tips. Southwest’s flight schedule provides nonstop routes to many top vacation spots, allowing you to maximize your time exploring once you arrive. With some flexibility and research, Southwest vacation packages can deliver an affordable, seamless trip from the airport to the resort.