This Southwest Gift Card Deal From Costco Could Save You $70 on Your Next Flight

Flights are a travel expense that can quickly make any vacation costly. Even if you budget accordingly and buy your tickets well in advance, you may have to spend more than you'd prefer. But Costco has a deal that could help some travelers save money on flights.

The warehouse club sells discounted gift cards to its members. Costco has a limited-time deal for travelers who fly with Southwest Airlines. You can get $70 off an electronic Southwest gift card through Oct. 13. But the offer is only available while supplies last -- so don't miss out.

You can get a virtual $500 Southwest gift card for only $429.99

If you're a Costco member who plans to book a Southwest flight soon, you may want to consider waiting until after you buy an electronic gift card from Costco. The retailer is selling discounted virtual Southwest gift cards through Oct. 13 -- but only limited quantities are available. You can get a $500 electronic gift card for $429.99 while supplies last by shopping on Costco's website.

There's a limit of two gift card purchases per Costco member, and they are non-refundable. After completing your purchase, your virtual gift card will be delivered by email. You can redeem it online at Southwest.com, a Southwest ticket counter, or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Since there is no expiration date, there's no hurry to use the gift card right away.

If you're a regular Southwest flyer, buying a gift card while this deal is active could be a wise personal finance move. Everyday costs, including airline tickets, are high right now, and by finding ways to save money with deals like this, you can keep more money in your checking account.

Not yet a Costco member? You can shop this deal without a Costco membership, but you'll pay more than $429.99. Non-members pay a 5% surcharge when placing orders online.

But by becoming a Costco member, you can get an even better price.

If you're unsure whether it's worthwhile to join, here are some little-known perks of a Costco membership. For many households, a warehouse club membership can prove to be valuable. A Costco membership could help you save money on groceries and other everyday expenses.

Don't ignore rewards credit cards

In today's expensive world, $500 doesn't go far when buying airline tickets. If you find yourself booking multiple tickets or spending more than $500 after using your Southwest gift card, pay the remaining balance with a rewards credit card. You can earn points, miles, or cash back when you spend money with your credit card. It's like getting rewarded to shop.

Airline credit cards are another option to explore if you travel frequently. If you're a Southwest loyalist, you may want to consider adding a Southwest credit card to your wallet. You can earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points when you pay with your card and get extra benefits like free EarlyBird Check-Ins. Check out our list of the best Southwest credit cards to find out more.