Summary
- Southwest Airlines is making changes to its Rapid Rewards program, allowing customers to earn status faster than before.
- Passengers will now only have to fly 20 or 40 flights per 12 months to realize A-List or A-List Preferred status, respectively.
- Southwest can also be introducing the choice to book flights with a mix of Rapid Rewards Points and money starting next spring.
Southwest Airlines has announced several changes to its Rapid Rewards program, and in contrast to recent changes recently announced by other American carriers, today’s announcement should welcome loads of positive feedback. Five changes are being made, with crucial being that customers will have the option to earn status quicker than before.
Some context
Southwest Airlines, an all-Boeing 737 operator and probably the most well-known airlines in america has a special frequent flyer program from most airlines. Though, to be fair, its operations are quite unique. Southwest is the one American carrier to supply two free checked bags for each passenger and open seating. Passengers select their seats once onboard the aircraft, and boarding is finished based on the order of check-in. Passengers can check in 24 hours before their flight and are given a boarding number from A1-60, B1-60, and C1-60.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
Rapid Rewards, Southwest’s frequent flyer program, is sort of easy, and passengers can earn only two tiers of status: A-List and A-List Preferred. With most airlines, passengers with status can access lounges, get free WiFi onboard, upgrades, and even extra baggage. But Southwest doesn’t have lounges or offer upgrades as its aircraft are configured in a single-cabin. Passengers get two free bags with every ticket, so what do those with status earn?
A-List passengers receive a 25% bonus on flights flown, priority check-in, priority security (at participating airports), and priority boarding. Same-day standby and same-day flight changes are also available to A-List passengers. A-List Preferred has the identical advantages as A-List Preferred but earns 100% bonus points and has free WiFi onboard.
What’s changing
From January 1, 2024, Southwest passengers will have the option to realize status faster than ever before. Previously, 25 and 50 flights were required yearly to achieve A-List and A-List Preferred statuses, respectively. Starting next 12 months, Southwest is cutting that all the way down to 20 and 40. Tier qualifying points are still an option for reaching for status, with 35,000 tier points required for A-List and 70,000 required for A-List Preferred.
Earnings of tier qualifying points are also changing next 12 months, with Chase (Southwest’s bank card bank partner) offering Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers 1,500 points per every $5,000 points spent on any of the three branded bank cards.
Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President of Marketing, at Southwest Airlines, spoke on the changes, saying,
“We’re making our award-winning Rapid Rewards program even stronger, by adding latest enhancements to our loyalty program, making it even easier for Members to earn and luxuriate in their advantages. By lowering the tier requirements and making bank card spend count double toward tier requirements, we’re in a position to deepen engagement with our brand and cobranded bank cards, while maintaining the core program values that our Customers know and love—including unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don’t expire.”
Changes will not be limited to earning points and standing, but starting November 6, there shall be an inflight change for A-List Preferred Members. From next month, A-List Preferred passengers shall be eligible for as much as two complimentary premium beverages per flight, which shall be added on to their mobile boarding passes.
The ultimate change announced today is regarding flight bookings. Starting next spring, Southwest will offer its passengers the choice to book flights with Rapid Rewards Points and money combined. The choice shall be available with as few as 1,000 points.