{"id":122644,"date":"2026-10-09T23:51:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T23:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=122644"},"modified":"2026-10-09T23:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T23:51:39","slug":"a-list-elite-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/a-list-elite-status\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Earn A-List and A-List Preferred Status in Southwest\u2019s New Era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Southwest Airlines <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-adds-basic-fares-bag-fees\/\">looks much different<\/a> than it did a few years ago. Some perks that fans knew and loved, such as no checked bag fees, are gone \u2014 which also changes the value of having elite status.<\/p>\n<p>The airline doesn\u2019t offer some typical benefits such as upgrades and airport lounge access (<a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-lounges\/\">yet<\/a>). But as more fees creep into the airline's ecosystem, Southwest status can be more beneficial than ever.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to earn Southwest elite status, what you'll get, and if it's worth chasing.<\/p>\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 Southwest flights or by accumulating tier-qualifying points.<\/p>\n<p>Rapid Rewards members can earn<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A-List status<\/strong> after 20 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A-List Preferred status<\/strong> after 40 one-way qualifying flights or 70,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Unfortunately, only revenue flights \u2014 meaning flights you pay for\u2014 count toward the requirement. Flights booked with <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Rapid Rewards<\/a> points do not qualify.<\/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 blue, yellow, and red 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 following four Southwest credit cards can spend toward 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, the following 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\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-how-apply\" title='Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Premier Credit Card' data-ccid=\"2000147\" data-exit=\"ccw\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/SouthwestAirlinesRapidRewardsPremierCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">How to Apply<\/a><\/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=b7be2a332d551cef51b9c2e04699a472&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=ff77d2c44b50f3b76feebfd71318d0ef&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 also earn A-List 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\">register online and attach proof of your current elite status<\/a> with a U.S.-based carrier. Those with mid- to high-level elite status with other airlines may be eligible to match to A-List Preferred.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll have your matched status for four months. To extend it to 12 months, you\u2019ll need to complete the following within 120 days of enrollment:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A-List:<\/strong> three round trips\/six one-ways OR 11,500 TQPs during the promotional period<\/li>\n<li><strong>A-List Preferred:<\/strong> six round trips\/12 one-ways OR 23,000 TQPs during the promotional period<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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<p>Additionally, qualifying flights must be booked after your status match is approved.<\/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, <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. And this promotion offers <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/chase-cardholder-elite-status-promotion\/\" rel=\"noopener\">double Companion Pass qualifying points in an eligible spending category<\/a>.<\/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>Screenshot of 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.<br \/>\n<li>Upgrade for free to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure.<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.<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>Up to two complimentary premium drinks per flight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h2><span id=\"How_Southwest_Elite_Status_Is_More_Important_Than_Ever\">How Southwest Elite Status Is More Important Than Ever<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With Southwest's new policies around checked bags, boarding, and seat selection, status pulls more weight than ever.<\/p>\n<p>A-List is likely the sweet spot for maximizing Southwest elite status, but A-List Preferred may be worth considering for travelers who need to check in two bags or who want to select an Extra Legroom seat at booking.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a closer look at the benefits that matter most under Southwest\u2019s new model.<\/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<h3><span id=\"Boarding_and_seat_selection\">Boarding and seat selection<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Gone are the days of Southwest's A-B-C boarding groups, replaced by numbered groups. A-List members receive Group 1 boarding, while A-List Preferred will board before Group 1. This can be a huge benefit, helping flyers to secure valuable overhead space first.<\/p>\n<p>Status also helps with Southwest's <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-seat-selection\/\">new assigned seating<\/a> model. Both A-List and A-List Preferred members can 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>That can make it easier to avoid a middle seat, sit near travel companions, or snag a seat closer to the front.<\/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=\"Free_checked_bags\">Free checked bags<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For Southwest loyalists, the addition of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-baggage-fees\/\" rel=\"noopener\">checked bag fees<\/a> erased one of the airline's biggest advantages. But if you have A-List or A-List Preferred status, you can check a certain number of bags for free:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A-List: <\/strong>Check one bag for free for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A-List Preferred: <\/strong>Check two bags for free for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Considering Southwest now charges $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second, having status can be a huge cost saver \u2014 especially when traveling with others on the same reservation.<\/p>\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>Even though you can\u2019t get upgraded to a fancy lie-flat seat (Southwest doesn\u2019t have them), it 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 your travel experience. Plus, now that Southwest is charging fees for <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-seat-selection\/\">seat selection<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-baggage-fees\/\">checked bags<\/a>, status can even help you save money on all those extras.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re a regular Southwest flyer or an infrequent customer thinking about switching your loyalty, don\u2019t overlook the perks of Southwest elite status.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ftoc\"><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_Is_More_Important_Than_Ever\">How Southwest Elite Status Is More Important Than Ever<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Boarding_and_seat_selection\">Boarding and seat selection<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Free_checked_bags\">Free checked bags<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\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 and save money.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"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","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"","timeOption":"","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":""},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12068],"tags":[12622,12757],"coauthors":[36490,36415],"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\/94"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122644"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279533,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122644\/revisions\/279533"}],"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}]}}