Southwest Rapid Rewards is a straightforward loyalty program. It only has two status tiers — Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred — and elite members don’t get premium perks like lounge access or first-class upgrades since Southwest is a low-cost carrier without first class.
However, the program still brings a lot of value since it offers some of the cheapest award flights within the U.S. (including Hawaii) and a few international destinations without any blackout dates.
Additionally, Elite members will have a chance to earn the most coveted Companion Pass, a benefit that allows you to bring one travel companion with you for free on any Southwest flight.
But most people earn the Companion Pass easily by signing up for as little as two credit cards rather than flying.
We have a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in.
How To Get Southwest Elite Status
Getting a Southwest Elite status can be done by earning Qualifying Flights or Tier Qualifying Points (“TQP”).
The number of qualifying metrics you earn will then determine your elite status.
For A-List, you need 25 one-way flights OR 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.
To earn 30,000 TQPs from only flying, you need to spend either: $5,833 for Wanna Get Away tickets, $4,375 for Wanna Get Away Plus tickets, $3,500 for Anytime tickets, or $2,916 in Business Select tickets.
For A-List Preferred, you need 50 one-way flights OR 70,000 tier qualifying points.
To earn 70,000 TQPS from only flying, you need to spend either: $11,666 for Wanna Get Away tickets, $8,750 for Wanna Get Away Plus tickets, $7,000 for Anytime tickets, or $5,832 for Business Select tickets.
What Are Southwest Qualifying Flights?
A one-way flight purchased with cash, regardless of how many legs it has, will count as 1 Qualifying Flight.
For example, if you have a flight from New York to Los Angeles with a stop in Denver, it will still count as one qualifying flight.
Additionally, any flight purchased with Rapid Rewards points does not count towards earning qualifying flights since those are flights booked with points rather than cash.
What Are Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)?
Tier Qualifying Points can be earned in two ways: Booking revenue Southwest flights or spending using Southwest co-branded cards.
1. TQPs Earned From Revenue Flights
- Wanna Get Away: 6 points per dollar of base
- Wanna Get Away Plus: 8 points per dollar of base
- Anytime: 10 points per dollar of base
- Business Select: 12 points per dollar of base
2. TQPs Earned From Southwest Cards
You can also earn TQPs from spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, but it requires a lot of spending.
Cardholders earn 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 spent on the card annually, with no limit on the number of TQPs you can earn.
For example, if you spent $30,000 in a calendar year on a Southwest card, you would earn 4,500 TQPs.
Southwest A-List Benefits
A-List members will receive the following benefits:
- 25% earning bonus.
- Automatic “A” group boarding.
- Priority check-in and security access.
- Dedicated phone line (1-888-737-1005).
- Free same-day change.
- Free same-day standby benefits.
Southwest A-List Preferred Elite Benefits
- 100% earning bonus.
- Free in-flight Wi-Fi (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.
- Free same-day change.
How Long Is Southwest Status Valid For?
Your A-List status is valid from the day you earned it up until the remaining calendar year, plus the entire following year.
For example, if you earned A-List status in September 2023, you’ll have it until December 2023, plus the entire year of 2024 (a total of 15 months).
However, if you earned status in December 2023, you’ll only have it until December 2024 (12 months).
The earlier you earn your status, the longer you’ll have it.
What Is A Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is the most valuable perk in travel.
It allows you to bring one travel companion on any Southwest flight, whether paid in cash or points.
Plus, there’s no limit on how many times you can bring a travel companion.
You must pay taxes and fees, which are about $6 per one-way trip for domestic flights.
For international flights, it can range between $80-$100 per one-way trip.
How To Earn The Southwest Companion Pass
The Companion Pass isn’t officially listed as elite status. Still, it’s a benefit that A-List members can get once they earn 100 Qualifying flights or 135,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points, which are different than Tier Qualifying Points.
Companion Pass Qualifying Points include many different options, but the main ways to earn these points are:
- Spending and welcome bonuses for Southwest credit cards.
- Cash bookings through Southwest.com
- Hotel booked through Southwest or RocketMiles
- Rapid Rewards Dining®
- Rapid Rewards Shopping®
The Companion Pass is valid for the year you earn the pass plus the following year.
If you time it right, you could get up to two years of free flights for your companion.
For example, if you opened a personal and business Southwest card in January 2023 and hit the bonuses in February 2023, you would have a Companion Pass until December 31, 2024.
Southwest A List Challenge
Southwest Airlines offers a Status Match challenge with any competing U.S. airline. As far as we know, all elite tiers will automatically match to A-List, but you can always call customer service to see if they offer a status match to A-List preferred.
After being granted an A-List status, you get to keep it for 90 days, with a chance to extend it up to 12 months.
To extend your status, you must book and complete six one-way flights (or three roundtrips) within the 90-day period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to qualify for A-List?
A-List requires 25 one-way flights OR 35,000 tier qualifying points.
What are the benefits of A-List?
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.
How to qualify for A-List Preferred?
A-List Preferred requires 50 one-way flights OR 70,000 qualifying points.
What are the benefits of A-List Preferred?
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.
Do Southwest credit cards help you earn elite status?
Yes. You can earn 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $10,000 in purchases each year.
Is Southwest Elite Status Worth It?
Southwest’s A-List program might not be as rewarding as other programs like Delta, American, United, or Alaska since you don’t get upgrades to First Class or access to premium airport lounges.
But if Southwest is the most convenient option for you, A-List offers nice perks like upgraded boarding, bonus points when flying, and free same-day changes.
