{"id":122644,"date":"2025-06-04T16:10:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T16:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=122644"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:16:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:16:56","slug":"a-list-elite-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/a-list-elite-status\/","title":{"rendered":"New Benefits in 2025: How to Earn and Maximize Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Elite Status"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Southwest Airlines is in the midst of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-adds-basic-fares-bag-fees\/\" rel=\"noopener\">a big overhaul<\/a>. Aspects of the airline that its fans know and love, such as no checked bag fees, are changing. When it comes to elite status, some people think that since Southwest Airlines doesn\u2019t offer some of the typical benefits associated with it &#8212; such as upgrades and airport lounge access &#8212; it\u2019s not worth pursuing. But for the right traveler, it absolutely is.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to earn Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred status, and some tips on how it can improve your travels. This can help you determine if it's still worth it to chase elite status with all of the changes happening.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Four_Ways_to_Earn_Southwest_Elite_Status\">Four Ways to Earn Southwest Elite Status<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Take_qualifying_flights_or_earn_tier-qualifying_points\">Take qualifying flights or earn tier-qualifying points<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Credit_card_spending\">Credit card spending<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Status_match\">Status match<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Promotional_opportunities\">Promotional opportunities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Benefits_of_Southwest_A-List_and_A-List_Preferred_Elite_Status\">Benefits of Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Elite Status<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_Southwest_Elite_Status_Can_Improve_Your_Travel_Experience\">How Southwest Elite Status Can Improve Your Travel Experience<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Current_benefit_automatic_check-in_and_A_group_boarding\">Current benefit: automatic check-in and A group boarding<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Future_benefit_seat_selection_at_booking\">Future benefit: seat selection at booking<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#New_benefit_free_checked_bags\">New benefit: free checked bags<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"Four_Ways_to_Earn_Southwest_Elite_Status\">Four Ways to Earn Southwest Elite Status<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Southwest has two tiers of elite status: A-List and A-List Preferred. There are four main ways to earn this status:<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Take_qualifying_flights_or_earn_tier-qualifying_points\">Take qualifying flights or earn tier-qualifying points<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can earn elite status by taking a specific number of flights on Southwest or by accumulating tier-qualifying points. In 2024, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/program-changes-2024\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest permanently reduced<\/a> the number of flights required to qualify for elite status.<\/p>\n<p>Rapid Rewards members can earn A-List status after 20 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year. The requirement for A-List Preferred status is 40 one-way qualifying flights or 70,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, only revenue flights (as in, flights you pay for) qualify. Flights booked with <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Rapid Rewards<\/a> points do not count toward the requirement.<\/p>\n<p>Tier-qualifying points can be earned from your purchased flights or through credit card spending. We\u2019ll discuss more about credit card spending below.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_51533\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/481\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-51533 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683.jpg\" alt=\"a Southwest plane in flight\" width=\"600\" height=\"481\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683.jpg 2188w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683-1024x820.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683-1536x1231.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683-2048x1641.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Southwest-plane-featured-nick-morales-unsplash-e1597473126683-325x260.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Nick Morales\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h3><span id=\"Credit_card_spending\">Credit card spending<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Rapid Rewards members with any of the four Southwest credit cards below can spend towards elite status. These cards earn 2,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 spent annually:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a data-ccid=\"4048122\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-priority\/\">Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a data-ccid=\"4048165\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/performance-business\/\">Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Performance Business Credit Card<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Meanwhile, these cards earn 1,500 and 2,000 tier-qualifying points, respectively, for the same annual spending requirement.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a data-ccid=\"2000147\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-premier\/\" target=_blank>Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Premier Credit Card<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a data-ccid=\"4048107\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/premier-business\/\">Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Premier Business Credit Card<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"compare-cards-wrap compare-count-cards-3 compare-p-chase\"><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/93\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPremierCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Premier Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Premier Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$149<\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>3X points per $1 spent on all Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year<\/li>\r\n<li>1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/93\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPriorityCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Priority Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Priority Credit Card' data-ccid=\"4048122\" data-exit=\"ccw\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/SouthwestAirlinesRapidRewardsPriorityCreditCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$229<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"4048122\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005153&type=3&u1=b12fc45f011eaa3e52e2e3c5d2968063&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>4X points per $1 spent on all Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants<\/li>\r\n<li>1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/93\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPerformanceBusinessCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest\u00ae Rapid Rewards\u00ae Performance Business Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Performance Business Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Southwest\u00ae Rapid Rewards\u00ae Performance Business Credit Card' data-ccid=\"4048165\" data-exit=\"ccw\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/ChaseSouthwestPerformanceBusinessCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$299<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"4048165\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005149&type=3&u1=fcc4bdb57f42822ca4bde1f2eb69bc7e&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>4X points per $1 spent on Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent on rideshare<\/li>\r\n<li>1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><b>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-credit-card\/\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Choose the Right Southwest Airlines Credit Card<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Status_match\">Status match<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can earn A-List status through <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/status-match-offers\/\" rel=\"noopener\">status match opportunities<\/a>. If you currently hold status with pretty much any other U.S. airline, you can match it to Southwest A-List. To take advantage of the match, you\u2019ll need to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southwest.com\/html\/rapidrewards\/promotions\/swa_status_match.html\" rel=\"noopener\">email proof of your current elite status<\/a> with a U.S.-based carrier.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll be bumped up to A-List right away and have it for three months. In order to extend your status to 12 months, you\u2019ll need to either fly three round-trip qualifying flights or six one-way qualifying flights booked after your airline status match is approved and within 90 days from enrollment.<\/p>\n<p>You can only do this status match promotion if you have not received A-List status in any other promotion in the last 12 months.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Promotional_opportunities\">Promotional opportunities<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Southwest sometimes offers promotions to help Rapid Rewards members earn elite status faster. Or, these promotions let you bypass some of the standard flying or tier-qualifying point requirements for elite status.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in late 2024, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/a-list-elite-status-promotion\/\" rel=\"noopener\">this promotion<\/a> offered double tier-qualifying points on flights, triple tier-qualifying points on business travel, bonus tier-qualifying points on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-credit-card\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest credit card<\/a> spending, and counted reward travel as qualifying flights toward elite status.<\/p>\n<p>Keep an eye on your email account for opportunities from Southwest Airlines, and also regularly check out our frequently updated post on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/loyalty-program-promotions\/\" rel=\"noopener\">reward program promotions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_178413\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/204\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-178413 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WN-AList-Promo.jpg\" alt=\"Southwest A-List promotion banner image.\" width=\"750\" height=\"204\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WN-AList-Promo.jpg 938w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WN-AList-Promo-300x82.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WN-AList-Promo-768x209.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Southwest<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Benefits_of_Southwest_A-List_and_A-List_Preferred_Elite_Status\">Benefits of Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Elite Status<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The table below lists the benefits of A-List and A-List Preferred status. This includes the new seat selection and free checked bag perks:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-250\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-250 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">&nbsp;<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">A-List<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">A-List Preferred<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Primary Benefits<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><li>Select a preferred seat at booking or extra legroom seat, if available, 48 hours before departure (for flights after January 27, 2026).<br \/>\n<li>Upgrade for free to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure (for flights after January 27, 2026).<br \/>\n<li>One free checked bag<br \/>\n<li>Priority boarding<br \/>\n<li>Priority check-in counter and express security screening (where available)<br \/>\n<li>25% points earning bonus<br \/>\n<li>Dedicated A-List phone line<br \/>\n<li>Same-day standby (Basic fares included)<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><li>Select an Extra Legroom or Preferred seat at booking (for flights after January 27, 2026).<br \/>\n<li> Two free checked bags<br \/>\n<li>Priority boarding<br \/>\n<li>Priority check-in counter and express security screening (where available)<br \/>\n<li>100% points earning bonus<br \/>\n<li>Dedicated A-List Preferred phone line<br \/>\n<li>Same-day standby (Basic fares included)<br \/>\n<li>Free inflight Wi-Fi<br \/>\n<li>Up to two complimentary premium drinks per flight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h2><span id=\"How_Southwest_Elite_Status_Can_Improve_Your_Travel_Experience\">How Southwest Elite Status Can Improve Your Travel Experience<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about some of the benefits that offer significant value and explore how you can make the most of them.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, the sweet spots for maximizing Southwest elite status could be obtained by just having A-List, as the best benefits were offered on both tiers. However, with Southwest's planned changes, A-List Preferred may be worth considering for travelers who need to check in two bags or who want to guarantee an extra-legroom seat.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Current_benefit_automatic_check-in_and_A_group_boarding\">Current benefit: automatic check-in and A group boarding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As part of the current priority boarding benefit, which is expected to continue through the end of 2025, A-List or A-List Preferred members, along with everyone on your reservation, will be checked in automatically and have their boarding position assigned, beginning 36 hours before departure. And unlike <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/early-bird-check-in\/\" rel=\"noopener\">EarlyBird Check-In<\/a>, you don\u2019t have to pay any extra for the privilege of doing so.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest's no-assigned-seating boarding process is ordered by group (A, B, or C) and position (1\u201360), which means you have to check in exactly 24 hours ahead of your scheduled flight to get a good boarding position.<\/p>\n<p>The automatic check-in for elite members eliminates the need to watch the clock and check in precisely on time.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_110143\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/479\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-110143 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776-1024x818.jpeg\" alt=\"a person looks at their smart phone\" width=\"600\" height=\"479\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776-1024x818.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776-300x240.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776-768x613.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776-1536x1226.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776-325x260.jpeg 325w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cell-phone-e1685831982776.jpeg 1598w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: John Tuesday\/ Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>With priority boarding, you are nearly always assigned in the A group. And, frequently, this is somewhere between A16 and A30, depending on the number of elite status members on your flight (A1\u2013A15 is guaranteed for Business Select fares and customers who purchased <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-upgraded-boarding\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Upgraded Boarding<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>And, if for some reason you are not in the A group (for example, you made a flight change less than 36 hours before departure), you can board after the A group, no matter which group is listed on your boarding pass.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Future_benefit_seat_selection_at_booking\">Future benefit: seat selection at booking<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Have a favorite seat on the plane? Always go for an aisle (or a window) seat? Beginning with bookings in the third quarter of 2025 for flights starting in the first quarter of 2026, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-assigned-seats\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest will implement assigned seating<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A-List and A-List Preferred members will be able to select preferred or standard seats at booking for no cost. A-List Preferred members will have the added benefit of selecting an extra legroom seat at booking, while A-List members will only be able to select an extra legroom seat on a space-available basis within 48 hours of departure.<\/p>\n<p>Being able to select your seat at booking for no charge will eliminate the anxiety of getting stuck in a middle seat or being separated from your travel companions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_121132\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-121132 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Lukas-Souza-Southwest-Airlines-cabin-featured.png\" alt=\"a Southwest heart-shaped logo inside the plane\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Lukas-Souza-Southwest-Airlines-cabin-featured.png 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Lukas-Souza-Southwest-Airlines-cabin-featured-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Lukas-Souza-Southwest-Airlines-cabin-featured-768x614.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Lukas-Souza-Southwest-Airlines-cabin-featured-325x260.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Lukas Souza\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h3><span id=\"New_benefit_free_checked_bags\">New benefit: free checked bags<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For Southwest loyalists, the announcement of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-baggage-fees\/\" rel=\"noopener\">checked bag fees<\/a> felt like Southwest lost its biggest advantage over other airlines. But if you have A-List or A-List Preferred status, you can check a certain number of bags for free. Here's the breakdown:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A-List<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Domestic and international flights:<\/strong> Check one bag for free for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interisland Hawaii flights:<\/strong> Check one bag for free for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>A-List Preferred<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Domestic and international flights:<\/strong> Check two bags for free for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interisland Hawaii flights:<\/strong> Check two bags for free for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_158494\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-158494 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Azzadiva-Sawungrana-Unsplash-baggage-claim-passengers-featured.jpg\" alt=\"Airport passengers wait for luggage coming out on a baggage claim carousel\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Azzadiva-Sawungrana-Unsplash-baggage-claim-passengers-featured.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Azzadiva-Sawungrana-Unsplash-baggage-claim-passengers-featured-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Azzadiva-Sawungrana-Unsplash-baggage-claim-passengers-featured-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Azzadiva-Sawungrana-Unsplash-baggage-claim-passengers-featured-325x260.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Azzadiva Sawungrana\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So you can\u2019t get upgraded to a fancy lie-flat seat (Southwest doesn\u2019t have them), and you don\u2019t get access to international airline lounges (Southwest doesn\u2019t have airport lounges and is not part of any alliance that does have them). But that doesn\u2019t mean Southwest elite status isn\u2019t worth holding.<\/p>\n<p>Granted, you\u2019re not getting thousands of dollars of value, but the benefits of A-List and A-List Preferred do go a long way toward improving the travel experience and can even help you save money in some cases.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re a regular Southwest flier or an infrequent customer thinking about switching your loyalty, don\u2019t overlook the perks of Southwest elite status.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many people assume Southwest&#8217;s lack of lounges and lie-flat seats mean its elite status isn&#8217;t worth holding, but it can definitely improve your travel experience. Here\u2019s how you can earn A-List and A-List Preferred elite status with Southwest Airlines, plus some tips on how you can use that status to improve your travels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":97162,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"default","_google_business_share_type":"default","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12068],"tags":[12622,12757],"coauthors":[36415],"class_list":["post-122644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-award-programs","tag-elite-status","tag-southwest-rapid-rewards"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/79"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122644"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":251676,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122644\/revisions\/251676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122644"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=122644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}