Southwest Rapid Rewards Program Overhauled for 2027

Southwest Rapid Rewards is undergoing a comprehensive overhaul effective January 1, 2027, introducing new elite tiers, revising Companion Pass qualification, and expanding points earning and redemption options.

Key details

• Changes effective: January 1, 2027, for elite tiers and Companion Pass.

• Partner airline earning/redemption: Spring 2027.

• Redeem points for seat selection: Late 2027.

• Redeem points for rental cars: November 2026.

• New elite tiers: Silver (replaces A-List), Gold (replaces A-List Preferred), Platinum (new top tier).

• Companion Pass for Platinum: Requires 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs).

• Milestone Rewards: 2,000 bonus points or two preferred seat coupons for 20,000 TQPs/15 segments; three Companion Pass trips for 95,000 TQPs/75 segments.

New Elite Tiers and Qualification

The program will transition from two elite tiers (A-List and A-List Preferred) to three: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. As of January 1, 2027, existing A-List members will become Silver, and A-List Preferred members will become Gold. Current Companion Pass holders will retain their benefit for the full term. The new Platinum tier will include unlimited Companion Pass trips.

Elite status qualification will continue to be based on either the number of flights taken or Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs).

Points bonuses for elite members are also changing:

• Silver members will earn a 40% points bonus (up from current A-List's 25%).

• Gold members will earn a 60% points bonus (down from current A-List Preferred's 100%).

• Platinum members will earn a 120% points bonus.

Credit card spending will contribute more significantly to status qualification. Starting in 2027, every dollar spent on a co-branded Southwest credit card will earn one TQP. This means Silver status can be achieved with $35,000 in credit card spending, Gold with $65,000, and Platinum with $140,000.

However, earning rates for paid fares are being adjusted. Customers booking Choice Preferred fares will earn 8x points per dollar spent (down from 10x points), and those booking Choice Extra fares will earn 10x points per dollar spent (down from 14x points). For example, a Gold member booking a Choice Extra fare would earn 16x points per dollar spent under the new system, compared to a current A-List Preferred member earning 28x points per dollar spent.

Companion Pass and Milestone Rewards

The Companion Pass benefit will be bundled into the new Platinum tier, requiring 140,000 TQPs. A significant change to Companion Pass qualification is that, under the new system, credit card welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus points from spending (e.g., 2x points on gas), and partner spending (e.g., hotels, cars) will no longer count toward TQPs for Companion Pass. Earning Companion Pass through credit card spending will require $140,000 in eligible spend.

Two Milestone Rewards tiers are being introduced:

• Members earning 20,000 TQPs or completing 15 segments can choose between 2,000 bonus points or two preferred seat coupons.

• Members earning 95,000 TQPs or completing 75 segments can receive three one-way or roundtrip Companion Pass trips.

New Earning and Redemption Opportunities

Southwest Rapid Rewards plans to introduce points earning and redemption opportunities for travel on select partner airlines, starting in the spring of 2027. Initial partners are expected to include Icelandair, China Airlines, and Etihad Airways.

Later in 2027, members will be able to redeem Rapid Rewards points for seat selection on Southwest-operated flights, including extra legroom and preferred seats. Additionally, as of November 2026, Rapid Rewards points can be used for rental cars across all participating car rental partners, accessible directly through cars.southwest.com.

Source: swamedia

Opinion

This overhaul marks a significant shift for Southwest Rapid Rewards. While the addition of partner airline options and the ability to earn status through credit card spend could be seen as positives, the severe cuts to paid fare earning rates and the drastic changes to Companion Pass qualification represent a devaluation for many members.