Under the agreement, Southwest has selected CarTrawler’s Connect Platform to power its car rental programme, replacing its previous in-house solution with a retail-focused platform across the airline’s digital channels.
The platform is designed to help Southwest customers and Rapid Rewards
members compare, select and book rental vehicles as part of their travel
journey. The solution provides access to a wider range of rental options
through a streamlined booking process tailored to airline retailing
environments.
According to the companies, the enhanced platform is expected to support
stronger conversion rates, improved merchandising capabilities, greater
customer engagement through loyalty programmes and long-term ancillary revenue
growth.
Southwest joins a growing group of airlines using the CarTrawler Connect Platform, including Ryanair, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, easyJet, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates and the Air France-KLM Group.
With operations across 122 destinations in the United States, Puerto Rico,
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and more than 134 million revenue
passengers carried in 2025, Southwest represents one of the largest airline car
rental programmes in North America.
The platform will present customers with relevant rental vehicle options
throughout the booking process while enabling Rapid Rewards members to earn
points on car rental bookings. Those points can be redeemed for future travel
and do not expire.
Phil Gouel, Vice President Product
Development at Southwest Airlines, said: “Southwest was looking for a
trusted partner with deep expertise in car rental merchandising and
optimization that could support the scale and complexity of our business.”
He added: “CarTrawler consistently stood out as an
industry leader, with a proven platform and strong feedback from partners
across the airline and travel sectors. This partnership allows us to deliver a
more convenient and personalized experience, while continuing to give our
Customers more opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points as part of their
journey.”
CarTrawler stated that the agreement reflects increasing demand among airlines for value-added services and personalised digital experiences that enhance the customer journey while supporting commercial performance.
Aileen McCormack, Chief
Commercial Officer at CarTrawler, said: “Southwest is one of the most
recognised and respected airlines in the world with an extensive network and
loyal Customer base that makes car rental a highly relevant part of the travel
journey.”
She continued: “This partnership brings
together Southwest’s Customer focus with CarTrawler’s proven airline retailing
technology, helping deliver a more seamless car rental experience. Southwest’s
decision to select CarTrawler reflects the strength of our Connect Platform,
our deep expertise in car rental merchandising, and our ability to support
complex airline retailing programs at scale.”
Tags: Phil Gouel, Southwest Airlines, Aileen McCormack, CarTrawler
