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Southwest Airlines recently launched the ability to purchase an Upgraded Boarding online. Purchasing a Southwest Upgraded Boarding pass scores you an A1-15 boarding position. Making this available online extends the period for purchasing a pass. Plus, online purchases are much easier than having to purchase via an airport agent.
Southwest Airlines Upgraded Boarding
The Upgraded Boarding option by Southwest Airlines isn't new. Members have been able to purchase an Upgraded Boarding at the airport before their flight. What's new is that the option has moved online and is now available starting at 24 hours before the flight — up to 30 minutes before the flight.
You can purchase the upgrade through the Southwest app or at Southwest.com.
Upgraded Boarding puts you in the coveted A1-15 boarding group. That allows you to be one of the first to store your luggage in the overhead bins and claim your favorite seat. Keep in mind that the only way you're going to get an A1-15 boarding position otherwise is to purchase or upgrade to a Business Select fare.
Upgraded Boarding costs at least $30 per segment. That's more expensive than the Early Bird upgrade. But that's fair considering Early Bird doesn't give you a guaranteed group A boarding position, only a better chance at one.
Check out the Southwest Upgraded Boarding page for additional details and fine print.
What's the Best Credit Card for Southwest Upgraded Boardings?
If you have the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card or the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, you get four Upgraded Boarding passes annually to use. Plus you'll earn 3X or 4X points, respectively, on Southwest purchases — including on upgrade purchases. After purchasing the upgrade with your card, you will receive a statement credit that offsets the purchase.
Other credit cards that you can use to maximize a purchase of an Upgraded Boarding pass are as follows:
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card — $325 travel credit.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® — $300 travel credit.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — $250 annual Airline Fee Credit.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express — $200 annual Airline Fee Credit.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — $200 annual Airline Fee Credit.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card — Up to $100 airline incidentals credit (U.S. airlines only)
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Our Take
Shelling out $30 or more just to get a better seat might be a bit much. Then again, I've paid that myself when I'm in a rush and want to sit in the front of the plane — or if I know it's going to be a busy flight and want to ensure my luggage makes it into the overhead bins.
Rapid Rewards continue to make improvements to its program. Southwest recently announced flight credits no longer expire. Plus, Rapid Rewards never expire.
Is Southwest Upgraded Boarding something you would take advantage of, or already have in the past?
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
I just spoke with a Southwest Chase CC agent this morning and she said The only way to get the statement credit back using the Southwest priority or performance business card is to order the upgrade at the airport, not online. If someone books their upgrade online, with the two above cards that I mentioned, the agent said they would not offer a statement credit because they cannot see the reservation and separate out the flight versus the upgrade details. Hope this helps.