August 2026 Newsletter

🚀 Southwest News 🚀

Southwest hinted at more lounges coming. We know that BNA had the space 'approved' but Bob Jordan hinted in a recent press event that there are more in the works. What do we think the requirements will be to enter? I share my guesses on the Q&A!

Southwest chedule update:

- The current schedule is open until Apr 5. On Aug 27th, 2026, the schedule will open for sale through Jun 2, 2027. (Date is subject to change).

🛍️ Current noteworthy shopping portal finds 🛍️

*As of Aug 1, offers change often

• • Home Depot is offering up to 4 points per dollar (Terms and conditions here)

  • Best Buy is now offering up to 5 points per dollar (Terms and conditions here).

  • Kohl's is now offering 2 points per dollar! (Terms and conditions here).

How does the shopping portal work? Use Southwest shopping to link to all of your favorite stores and make a purchase! You will then be awarded the bonus points listed on the offer directly into your Southwest account. *Note you cannot combine shopping portal offers, so do not click on Rakuten or any other portal if your intent is to earn southwest points.

🏨 Southwest Hotel Spotlight 🏨

Southwesthotels.com

A 7 night stay at this hotel for a leaf peeping trip to New Hampshire in October will earn you 20,200 points for ~$517 per night! That is an earn rate of 5.5 points per dollar.

A few notes about hotels:

It is not recommended to bundle hotel and flight with Southwest unless you are getting a much lower price than booking separately. It is much easier to make changes to your flights if they are not bundled.

Southwest uses Booking.com as their booking system, so your hotel will see the booking as a booking.com reservation.

I always confirm my reservation with the hotel to be sure they got it.

Southwest uses Booking.com as their booking system, so your hotel will see the booking as a booking.com reservation.

I always confirm my reservation with the hotel to be sure they got it.

Make sure to check your Southwest Account for credit card offers!

Here is how.

1. Visit Southwest.com

2. Log into “My account”

3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page! Make sure to register for any offers you like!

For folks on the FAST TRACK for 2026:

You should have begun your 2026 companion pass journey! If you have not yet started wait for next year unless you have a few large trips planned with Southwest and are in desperate need.

For folks using the HYBRID method for 2026:

You should have hit your signup bonus but this point. If you have not opened a new card yet, you can use our links jgoot.com/cards but this time of the year it is better to wait until next year.

For those following the slow and steady method:

You should have 90k points already toward companion pass for next year. Start with any hotels you need to book since these have the highest earn rate.

Do you have hotels you need to book? *points will post after checkout.

Check out some shopping portal deals.

Don’t forget about Southwest dining.

- Stephanie