How to Get Southwest A-List Status

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Southwest Airlines recently announced changes to the Rapids Rewards® program that now makes it easier than ever to earn A-List status or A-List Preferred. Frequent Southwest flyers may have their eye on A-List status to make their flights more comfortable, with a host of air travel benefits that include priority boarding, inflight Wi-Fi, boosted earning bonus rates and more.

If you’re interested in earning A-List status with Southwest, here’s everything you need to know about the new Rapid Rewards program changes and how to earn A-List status faster.

Ways to Get A-List Status

Getting A-List status is easier now than in the past, with new changes introduced by Southwest in October 2023 (new changes take effect on January 1, 2024).

You have two ways to get A-List status:

• Fly 20 one-way qualifying flights (down from 25)
• Earn 35,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) in a calendar year

Similarly, to earn A-List Preferred status, you have two options:

• Fly 40 one-way qualifying flights (previously 50)
• Earn 70,000 TQPs in a calendar year

Note that tier-qualifying flights are revenue flights that are both purchased and flown, while TQPs must be earned from revenue flights during the qualifying year via select Rapid Rewards credit cards from Chase (exclusive of bonuses or promotions).

Earn Southwest Elite Status Faster

Southwest is also making it possible to earn elite status even faster with the right credit card. With both Southwest consumer and business cards, you’re able to earn Southwest points with your regular spending.

And beginning January 1, 2024, Rapid Rewards credit card holders will earn 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent on purchases using:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• One of the Southwest business credit cards

That’s a huge drop from the previous $10,000 needed, which should make this much easier for many shoppers to earn.

Compare Southwest Consumer Credit Cards

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Intro Bonus	Perks	Learn More
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Apply Now	$69	50,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)	Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance	Apply Now
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card	$99	50,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)	Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance	This product is currently not available via Slickdeals. All information about this product was collected by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Apply Now	$149	50,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)	$75 Southwest annual travel credit 25% back on inflight drinks & Wi-Fi 4 upgraded boardings when available	Apply Now

Compare Southwest Business Credit Cards

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Intro Bonus	Perks	Learn More
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card Apply Now	$99	60,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Dollar Equivalent: $840 (60,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)	2 EarlyBird Check-Ins annually 25% back on inflight purchases	Apply Now
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card Apply Now	$199	80,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,120 (80,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)	Up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits annually 4 upgraded boarding passes annually when available Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit up to $120 every 4 years	Apply Now

Note that TQPs earned will count toward A-List or A-List Preferred qualification based on when they post to your account, rather than on your purchase date, which can vary based on your statement closing date. For more information on how the Southwest cards stack up, check out our comparison guide.

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Benefits of A-List Status

Here’s a quick comparison of the benefits you can get with Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred statuses.

^{*Effective November 6, 2023, available for each flight 176 miles or more}

^{Consult the Rapid Rewards program for specific details, exclusions and restrictions.}

Downsides of A-List Status

A-List status has a lot to offer, but some travelers may find a few things lacking with A-List, depending on their preferences. 

A-List status does not offer:

• Lounge access: The airline doesn’t have lounges, so an elite status won’t help you out in that regard. Here are some cards that do come with lounge perks.
• Extra luggage perks: All Southwest passengers get two checked bags for free anyway, and you won’t get any extra with A-List status.
• Upgraded boarding and seats: Southwest doesn’t have first-class seats, so again, A-List status won’t aid you there. But A-List does offer priority boarding, which can help you nab the seat you prefer.

Is Southwest A-List Status Worth It?

Southwest A-List status is worth it for travelers who frequent Southwest Airlines. The requirements to earn A-List status have recently been reduced, so if you take 20 one-way trips or earn 35,000 TQPs a year, you’ll qualify. With A-List status comes a list of travel comforts, including a dedicated security lane and priority boarding, which a lot of flyers value.

That said, if Southwest doesn’t serve airports you frequent or you just don’t take enough Southwest flights for it to be worthwhile, you might be better off with a different airline program. United Airlines MileagePlus, for example, serves a larger number of both domestic and international airports. You can enjoy a number of perks and earn elevated rewards on United purchases with select United credit cards. The key is to look at your personal travel habits and consider what sort of perks and onboard amenities you prefer as you compare loyalty programs and find the best fit for you.

FAQs

• How long is A-list status good for?

  A-List status is good for the remainder of the calendar year once you’ve qualified. When you meet the qualifications for A-List, your status kicks in immediately. So take note that if you qualify in January, you’ll get 12 months out of the program, but if you qualify in November, you’ll only get two months.

• Can you buy A-List status?

  No, you can’t really buy A-List status, though you can spend money in other ways to earn the tier. To earn A-List status, you’ll need to fly at least 20 times (25 until January 2024, when it drops down) or earn 35,000 TQPs, which you can do by purchasing qualifying airfare or making eligible purchases with a Southwest Rapids Rewards credit card.

• What is the difference between A-List and A-List Preferred?

  A-List Preferred members get a 100% earning bonus and enjoy in-flight amenities like free Wifi and complimentary premium drinks. With A-List, you’ll only get 25% more bonus points and don't benefit from in-flight amenities.

• When can you board with A-List Preferred?

  You get priority boarding with A-List Preferred, which means you and everyone on your reservation gets to board before regular boarders.