{"id":145274,"date":"2026-02-18T22:10:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=145274"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:34:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:34:46","slug":"southwest-airlines-boarding-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-airlines-boarding-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Airlines Has a New Boarding Process: Here&#8217;s How It Works and How to Board Earlier"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Southwest Airlines has long had a love-it-or-hate-it boarding process. It was one that made checking in early key to securing a good boarding position. But that version is, sadly, now gone. As of January 27, 2026, the Dallas-based airline has rolled out a new boarding process.<\/p>\n<p>In this guide, we'll compare Southwest's old and new boarding procedures and cover several free and paid ways to improve your boarding position.<\/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=\"#How_Southwest_Airlines_Boarding_Process_Used_to_Work\">How Southwest Airlines\u2019 Boarding Process Used to Work<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_Southwests_New_Boarding_Process_Works\">How Southwest\u2019s New Boarding Process Works<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Ways_to_Improve_Your_Southwest_Airlines_Boarding_Group\">Ways to Improve Your Southwest Airlines Boarding Group<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Book_a_Choice_Preferred_or_Choice_Extra_fare\">Book a Choice Preferred or Choice Extra fare<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Hold_Rapid_Rewards_elite_status\">Hold Rapid Rewards elite status<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Reserve_an_Extra_Legroom_seat\">Reserve an Extra Legroom seat<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Unlock_earlier_boarding_with_a_Southwest_credit_card\">Unlock earlier boarding with a Southwest credit card<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Purchase_Priority_Boarding\">Purchase Priority Boarding<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#New_Pre-Boarding_Policies_Under_Southwests_Boarding_Changes\">New Pre-Boarding Policies Under Southwest\u2019s Boarding Changes<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Passengers_with_qualifying_disabilities\">Passengers with qualifying disabilities<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Families_and_companions\">Families and companions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Active_duty_military\">Active duty military<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"How_Southwest_Airlines_Boarding_Process_Used_to_Work\">How Southwest Airlines\u2019 Boarding Process Used to Work<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most airlines offer assigned seating, allowing you to select your exact seat when purchasing your ticket. Southwest Airlines, however, historically used an open-seating model.<\/p>\n<p>When boarding a Southwest flight, you could choose any available seat. That made the check-in and boarding process both unique and competitive.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_136354\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-136354 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-plate-at-gate-featured.png\" alt=\"Southwest Airlines plate at gate\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-plate-at-gate-featured.png 500w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-plate-at-gate-featured-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-plate-at-gate-featured-325x260.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Southwest Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>The process involved checking in exactly 24 hours before departure to try to secure the best possible boarding position within the A, B, or C groups. Then, at the airport, passengers would line up at numbered posts near the gate. When your boarding group was called, you\u2019d line up in numerical order within your assigned group.<\/p>\n<p>Those days are now over. And one has to wonder what will happen to all those boarding stanchions at Southwest gates across the country&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_Southwests_New_Boarding_Process_Works\">How Southwest\u2019s New Boarding Process Works<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that the change has taken effect, Southwest boards its planes more like other airlines with structured boarding groups. Southwest now has eight boarding groups, and your placement depends on several factors, including the fare you purchased, your Southwest Rapid Rewards status, and whether you hold a Southwest credit card.<\/p>\n<p>See the chart below for more details.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-1198\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-1198 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Group #<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Passengers<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Group 1-2<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2022 Choice Extra fare<br \/>\n\u2022 Purchased Extra Legroom seat<br \/>\n\u2022 A-List Preferred members<br \/>\n\u2022 A-List members who upgraded to Extra Legroom seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Group 3-5<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2022 Choice Preferred fare<br \/>\n\u2022 A-List members<br \/>\n\u2022 Southwest credit card holders (Group 5)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Group 6-8<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2022 Choice fare<br \/>\n\u2022 Basic fare (last to board)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>Passengers can still check in starting 24 hours before departure to obtain their boarding pass, but there's no longer a rush to check in early just to secure a better boarding position.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Ways_to_Improve_Your_Southwest_Airlines_Boarding_Group\">Ways to Improve Your Southwest Airlines Boarding Group<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As you can gather from the above, there are several ways to improve your boarding group.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Book_a_Choice_Preferred_or_Choice_Extra_fare\">Book a Choice Preferred or Choice Extra fare<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Purchasing a higher fare class can move you into an earlier boarding group, as high as Group 1 with a Choice Extra fare. However, these fares often come at a significantly higher price.<\/p>\n<p>Just see the screenshot below for proof&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img data-aspectratio=\"900\/140\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-221057 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sw-8-5-1024x159.jpg\" alt=\"Southwest Airlines four fare type example including Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra\" width=\"900\" height=\"140\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sw-8-5-1024x159.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sw-8-5-300x47.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sw-8-5-768x119.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sw-8-5.jpg 1335w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Southwest has leaned into added benefits on these higher fare tiers, including <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-baggage-fees\/\" rel=\"noopener\">free checked bags<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-seat-selection\/\" rel=\"noopener\">advanced seat selection<\/a>, and priority boarding.<\/p>\n<p>Paying for a higher fare may make sense if you don't otherwise qualify for earlier boarding through elite status, credit card benefits, or other qualifying factors.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Hold_Rapid_Rewards_elite_status\">Hold Rapid Rewards elite status<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Southwest Airlines offers two <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/a-list-elite-status\/\" rel=\"noopener\">elite status tiers<\/a>: A-List and A-List Preferred.<\/p>\n<p>You can earn A-List status by flying 20 one-way cash flight segments or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. A-List Preferred requires 40 one-way cash flight segments or 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.<\/p>\n<p>Both tiers offer earlier boarding benefits, including access to priority check-in and boarding lanes. These benefits also extend to passengers traveling on the same reservation as the elite member.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Reserve_an_Extra_Legroom_seat\">Reserve an Extra Legroom seat<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Extra Legroom seats are exactly what they sound like. They're <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-seat-selection\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest's roomier seats located toward the front of the plane<\/a>. Whether you purchase an Extra Legroom seat outright or upgrade to one starting 48 hours before departure, doing so can improve your boarding group.<\/p>\n<p>A-List members, as well as cardholders of the <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> (<a data-ccid=\"4048122\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005153&type=3&u1=7c615fb52b8f6ff565ccc3035f9ccdfe&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a>) and <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> (<a data-ccid=\"4048165\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005149&type=3&u1=295ccbf442a21ca6eaa0c6f29a81f966&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a>), can select an Extra Legroom seat starting 48 hours before departure at no additional cost (when available).<\/p>\n<div class=\"compare-cards-wrap compare-count-cards-2 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-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\" 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=7c615fb52b8f6ff565ccc3035f9ccdfe&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\" 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=295ccbf442a21ca6eaa0c6f29a81f966&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<h3><span id=\"Unlock_earlier_boarding_with_a_Southwest_credit_card\">Unlock earlier boarding with a Southwest credit card<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As with many aspects of the ever-changing Southwest Rapid Rewards program, having a Southwest credit card can make boarding easier. Even if you book a Basic fare, which is otherwise assigned &#8220;Last to Board&#8221; under Southwest's new process, you'll receive Group 5 boarding simply by being a Southwest cardholder.<\/p>\n<p>If you're planning to fly Southwest in 2026 and don't already have a card, here are some of your Southwest credit card options:<\/p>\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-SouthwestRapidRewardsPlusCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Plus Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 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 Plus Credit Card' data-ccid=\"520080\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/SouthwestRapidRewardsPlusCreditCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$99<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"520080\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005150&type=3&u1=53ffc447d8a4c6a5a273ecc90b4c658c&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>2X points per $1 spent on Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 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\" 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=7c615fb52b8f6ff565ccc3035f9ccdfe&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\" 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=295ccbf442a21ca6eaa0c6f29a81f966&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><strong>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><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Purchase_Priority_Boarding\">Purchase Priority Boarding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Travelers who don't qualify through any of the above methods have one final option: purchasing Priority Boarding. In line with Southwest's increasingly fee-driven model, this paid option lets eligible passengers board even before Group 1.<\/p>\n<p>It functions similarly to the &#8220;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-upgraded-boarding\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Upgraded Boarding<\/a>&#8221; benefit under the old system. Priority Boarding can be especially valuable for Basic or Choice fare passengers who want earlier access to overhead bin space, which is now at more of a premium since Southwest has introduced checked bag fees.<\/p>\n<p>You can <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southwest.com\/air\/priority-boarding\/\" rel=\"noopener\">purchase Priority Boarding<\/a> starting 24 hours before departure by visiting your reservation online or in the Southwest app. Pricing typically ranges from $20 to $40 per segment, per passenger, depending on the route and other factors.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a connecting itinerary, you can choose to purchase Priority Boarding for all segments once check-in opens for your first flight. Availability is limited, so this option may not always be offered.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_245488\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/412\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-245488 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/priority-boarding-750x412.png\" alt=\"Southwest Priority Boarding\" width=\"750\" height=\"412\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/priority-boarding-750x412.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/priority-boarding-900x494.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/priority-boarding-768x422.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/priority-boarding.png 1018w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Screenshot of Southwest<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"New_Pre-Boarding_Policies_Under_Southwests_Boarding_Changes\">New Pre-Boarding Policies Under Southwest\u2019s Boarding Changes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you have your boarding group, what will the actual process look like? Southwest has also made some adjustments to its pre-boarding procedures.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Passengers_with_qualifying_disabilities\">Passengers with qualifying disabilities<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Under the new system, pre-boarding is still available before general boarding for passengers with qualifying disabilities. If you believe you qualify, check with a gate agent before boarding begins.<\/p>\n<p>If approved, you'll receive a new boarding pass marked &#8220;PRBD,&#8221; which alerts the boarding agent that you're authorized to pre-board.<\/p>\n<p>One travel companion is typically allowed to pre-board with you, though gate agents may make exceptions in certain situations. Gate agents may also ask a few questions to determine eligibility before granting pre-boarding access.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Families_and_companions\">Families and companions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Under the old system, family boarding took place between Groups A and B for passengers traveling with children ages 6 and under. That process has been eliminated. Families are now assigned a boarding group like everyone else, based on the factors discussed above.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest states that all passengers on the same reservation, up to eight travelers, will be assigned the same boarding group, with the exception of group travel reservations. Passengers booked as part of a formal group reservation will instead be assigned boarding groups based on their individual seat assignments.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_136369\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-136369  lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-wingtip-with-Trolls-featured.png\" alt=\"Southwest Airlines wingtip with Trolls\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-wingtip-with-Trolls-featured.png 500w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-wingtip-with-Trolls-featured-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Southwest-Airlines-wingtip-with-Trolls-featured-325x260.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Southwest Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>It's also important to note that boarding together and sitting together are two different things. Depending on how seats were selected, or if they were randomly assigned with a Basic fare, your group may or may not be seated together.<\/p>\n<p>However, everyone on the same reservation <em>should<\/em> still be assigned the same boarding group.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, companions traveling on the same reservation as a Companion Pass holder will receive the same boarding group benefits, whether those are based on fare type, elite status, or credit card perks.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Active_duty_military\">Active duty military<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Active-duty members of the U.S. military with a valid military ID may also pre-board before Group 1.<\/p>\n<p>Once pre-boarding is complete, Southwest will board passengers by group, similar to most other airlines. Gate areas should have signage indicating where Groups 1 and 2 can line up, and so on. Expect passengers to begin gathering near the gate as their boarding group is called.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Southwest has moved away from its non-traditional boarding and seating process in favor of a more standard boarding group approach. Regardless of the system, there are still several ways to secure an earlier boarding position, either for free or by paying for added perks.<\/p>\n<p>If boarding early matters to you, understanding these options can help you get on the plane sooner and make the most of your <em>new<\/em> Southwest travel experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Southwest Airlines has rolled out a new boarding process, but there are still several free and paid ways to improve your boarding experience. Whether through elite status, credit card perks, upgraded fares, or purchasing Priority Boarding, here\u2019s how to position yourself to board earlier on your next Southwest flight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":219204,"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":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_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":[12054],"tags":[12757,12628],"coauthors":[36490,36458],"class_list":["post-145274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips","tag-southwest-rapid-rewards","tag-travel-experience"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145274","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=145274"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":252153,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145274\/revisions\/252153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/219204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=145274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=145274"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=145274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}