Southwest has two elite levels: A-List and A-List Preferred.
Southwest’s elite status does not offer any fancy perks like first-class upgrades because Southwest planes are all economy class.
However, elite members get early boarding, so you could grab one of the coveted exit row window seats or a bulkhead seat.

Earning Southwest Elite Status
A-List requires 25 one-way flights OR 35,000 tier qualifying points.
To qualify on tier-qualifying points, you would require to spend: $5,833 in Wanna Get Away Fares or $3,500 in Anytime Fares or $2,916 in Business Select fares.

A-List Preferred requires 50 one-way flights OR 70,000 qualifying points.
To qualify on tier-qualifying points, you would need to spend: $11,666 in Wanna Get Away Fares or $7,000 in Anytime Fares or $5,832 in Business Select fares.

A-List Elite Benefits
A-List has a few benefits. The most beneficial ones will be the early boarding and 25% earning bonus.
- 25% earning bonus.
- Automatic “A” group boarding.
- Priority check-in and security access.
- Dedicated phone line (1-888-737-1005).
- Free same-day standby.
The boarding order on Southwest is below. A-List members board after Business Select and A-List Preferred passengers.
- Pre-boarding
- Business Select
- A-list Preferred
- A-list
- EarlyBird
- Boarding Group A
- Boarding Group B
- Boarding Group C
- Standbys
A-List Preferred Elite Benefits
- 100% earning bonus.
- Free in-flight Wi-Fi, which is normally $8 per day.
- Automatic “A” group boarding.
- Priority check-in and security access.
- Dedicated phone line (1-888-737-1006).
- Free same-day standby.
Frequently Asked Questions
A-List Preferred requires 50 one-way flights OR 70,000 qualifying points.
To qualify on tier-qualifying points, you would need to spend: $11,666 in Wanna Get Away Fares or $7,000 in Anytime Fares or $5,832 in Business Select fares.
A-List requires 25 one-way flights OR 35,000 tier qualifying points.
To qualify on tier-qualifying points, you would require to spend: $5,833 in Wanna Get Away Fares or $3,500 in Anytime Fares or $2,916 in Business Select fares.
The benefits of A-List Preferred are:
- 100% earning bonus.
- Free in-flight Wi-Fi, which is normally $8 per day.
- Automatic “A” group boarding.
- Priority check-in and security access.
- Dedicated phone line (1-888-737-1006).
- Free same-day standby.
The benefits of A-List are:
- 100% earning bonus.
- Free in-flight Wi-Fi, which is normally $8 per day.
- Automatic “A” group boarding.
- Priority check-in and security access.
- Dedicated phone line (1-888-737-1006).
- Free same-day standby.