CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Southwest Airlines just announced major improvements to its Rapid Rewards loyalty program. These enhancements — most of which go into effect in 2024 — span from redeeming points to earning status. Plus, there are few other additions along the way.
And, if you don’t already have a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, now might be a great time to bite the bullet. Not only will the airline’s co-branded credit cards help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass through 2025, they will soon help you earn A-List elite status a lot faster.
Earning Southwest A-List elite status will be easier in 2024
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Southwest will make it easier to earn both A-List and A-List Preferred elite status. These status tiers include benefits like priority boarding and the ability to earn extra points on flights.
While you’ll still need to earn 35,000 tier-qualifying points (TQP) for A-List status and 70,000 TQP for A-List Preferred status, spending on a Southwest credit card will soon get you there twice as fast.
This is because for every $5,000 spent on your Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, you’ll earn 1,500 TQP points towards status. Currently, you need to spend $10,000 on your card to earn the same number of qualifying points.
Eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards include:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards? Premier Credit Card.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards? Priority Credit Card.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards? Premier Business Credit Card.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards? Performance Business Credit Card.
If you’re looking to earn status solely on credit card spend, this will still require a decent amount of spend, but it’ll now be slightly more obtainable. You’ll need to spend $116,667 to earn A-List status and $233,334 to earn A-List Preferred status.
Fortunately, TQPs earned from credit card spend can be combined with qualifying points earned on paid Southwest flights. Plus, the airline typically offers promotions for bonus TQPs throughout the year.
However, meeting a TQP threshold isn’t the only way to earn Southwest elite status. You can also earn it by flying with the airline a certain number of times per year — and this method will soon be a lot easier.
Starting in 2024, you’ll only need to fly 20 one-way qualifying flights (down from 25 flights) to earn A-List status and 40 one-way qualifying flights (down from 40 flights) to earn A-List Preferred status.
Those with A-List status receive priority boarding, priority check-in and security lane access, same-day standby, same-day change, a dedicated phone line and 25% bonus points earned on all qualifying flights. Meanwhile, A-List Preferred members receive the same benefits, plus a 100% points bonus on qualifying flights and complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi.
Plus, starting Nov. 6, 2023, A-List Preferred members will also receive two complimentary premium drinks per flight. This includes beer, wine, liquor and hard seltzer.
Combine cash and Rapid Rewards points
Finally, starting next spring, Rapid Rewards members will be able to use a combination of cash and points when booking a flight. These redemptions will require a minimum of just 1,000 Rapid Rewards points.
The value you’ll get from your points with cash and points redemptions has yet to be announced. For reference, Southwest points are currently worth 1.4 cents per point toward award flights, and we hope cash and points follows this same redemption rate.
This option could be helpful for those who are a few points short of an award ticket and want to redeem their points for a discount.
Bottom line
Southwest frequent flyers have a lot to look forward to next year. From free drinks for A-List Preferred elites to reduced elite status requirements, these changes are overwhelmingly positive for Southwest credit card holders and existing elite members.
These positive changes from Southwest come as a pleasant surprise since airlines don’t typically make positive changes to their loyalty programs. For example, Delta Air Lines recently increased elite status requirements for the next status year.
Check out CNN Underscored’s guide to the?best credit cards?currently available.?
