First, the baggage fees changed, and then open seating ended.
Now, Southwest Airlines is overhauling its loyalty program.
“As our Members engage more with Southwest, they’ve told us they want Rapid Rewards to reward them in more meaningful ways, whether they’re working toward status or using the points they’ve earned,” Rapid Rewards Vice President Nandika Suri said in a news release. “These updates build on that feedback by rewarding Members throughout their Southwest experience, while keeping the simplicity and value that have always set our program apart.”
Here’s how Southwest’s Rapid Rewards will change, effective Jan 1.
New Rapid Rewards tiers
Southwest is introducing three new loyalty tiers that will replace A-List and A-List Preferred.
Silver qualifications: A-List
will become Silver. Travelers who would’ve qualified for A-List status for 2027 based on activity this year will automatically become Silver. Others can obtain Silver status by either earning 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TPQs) or flying 25 qualifying one-way flights.
Gold qualifications: A-List Preferred will become Gold. Travelers who would have earned A-List Preferred status for 2027 based on this year’s activity will automatically become Gold. Gold status can also be reached by earning 65,000 TPQs or flying 50 qualifying one-way flights.
Platinum qualifications: A new Platinum status can be reached by earning 140,000 TPQs or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights.
According to Southwest’s website, travelers will be able to earn TPQs by completing qualifying Southwest flights, vacations and Southwest Groups bookings. They’ll also be able to earn TPQs through qualifying purchases on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards or the Rapid Rewards Debit Card.
New rewards
Silver rewards: Silver members will get one free checked bag, Group 1 boarding, Priority Lane and Express Lane access, Priority Member support, free same-day standby even on Basic fares, and a 40% point earning bonus on qualifying flights. Pending availability, they can also choose a Standard or Preferred seat upon booking without fees. Then 48 hours before departure, they can upgrade to an Extra Legroom for free if any are available.
Gold rewards: Gold members will get all the perks of Silver and more. They’ll get two free checked bags, boarding before Group 1, two premium drinks on select flights, and a 60% earning bonus on qualifying flights. Upon booking, they'll also be able to choose an Extra Legroom seat without fees, pending availability.
Platinum rewards: Platinum members get the biggest rewards with unlimited Companion Pass trips, three free bags, boarding before Gold and Group 1, and a 120% earning bonus on qualifying flights. Like Gold members, they can also choose an Extra Legroom seat at booking without fees, pending availability.
In between tiers, members will also be able to earn new Milestone Rewards.
First Milestone Reward: Upon earning 20,000 TPQs or flying 15 qualifying one-way flights, members will get their choice of 2,000 Rapid Rewards points or two Preferred Seat Certificates for future travel.
Second Milestone Reward: Upon earning 95,000 TPQs or completing 75 qualifying one-way flights, members will earn three Companion Pass trips. Each one be used one-way or round-trip.
Rapid Rewards members will be able to earn one of each Milestone Reward each year.
More ways to use rewards
Starting this November, Rapid Rewards members will be able to redeem points to book rental cars through cars.southwest.com.
Next Spring, Rapid Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem points traveling with Southwest’s international partners. The first partners will be China Airlines, Etihad Airways and Icelandair.
Later next year, members will also be use points for seat selection on Southwest flights.
Additional details are available on Southwest’s website.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bye bye A-List. Southwest is overhauling its Rapid Rewards
