{"id":220370,"date":"2026-10-08T16:10:03","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T16:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=220370\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T16:10:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T16:10:03","slug":"southwest-seat-selection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-seat-selection\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Seat Selection Fees \u2014 Here\u2019s What It Costs and How To Save on Seats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southwest Airlines has been reinventing how it operates. From bag fees<\/a> to assigned seating, a new Southwest is here to stay. Passengers now choose from three categories of seats. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to avoid seat selection fees, but all these moving parts can make the process a bit confusing.<\/p>\n

In this post we\u2019ll break down how to avoid seat selection fees, what seats cost if you choose to pay, and how to book and pick your seat.<\/p>\n

Overview of Southwest\u2019s Assigned Seating Policies<\/span><\/h2>\n

Southwest offers three seat categories: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom, as shown in the seat map below:<\/p>\n

\"Southwest
Screenshot of Southwest<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Beyond seat categories, when you can select a seat depends on your fare, elite status, and\/or Southwest credit card<\/a> benefits. Some travelers can select at booking, others within 48 hours of departure, while Basic passengers without additional benefits receive an assigned Standard seat at check-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Standard
\n(assigned at check-in)<\/th>		Standard
\n(select at booking)<\/th>		Preferred
\n(or any Standard seat)<\/th>		Extra Legroom
\n(or any seat)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Basic fare<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choice fare<\/td><\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choice Preferred fare<\/td><\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choice Extra fare<\/td><\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A-List<\/td><\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>Within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A-List Preferred<\/td><\/td><\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/a><\/strong> and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Business Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>Within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available.<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Premier Credit Card<\/a><\/strong> and Southwest\u00ae<\/sup> Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Premier Business Credit Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td>Within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available.<\/td><\/td>Within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/a><\/strong> and Southwest\u00ae<\/sup> Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Performance Business Credit Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>\u2714\ufe0f<\/td>Within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The first factor is fare<\/a>. Generally, the pricier the fare, the better your seat selection benefit. Basic fares do not include seat selection,\u00a0and a Standard seat is assigned at check-in or at the gate.<\/p>\n

If you do not have status or a Southwest credit card, your seat selection depends on your fare or whether you decide to pay extra for a seat.<\/p>\n

If you do have Southwest status or a credit card, your seat options expand and may affect your decision on which fare to purchase. For example, if you have A-List status or carry any of the following:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/div>\n
\"Southwest<\/div>\n
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n
Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/strong>\n
Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n
Annual Fee:<\/strong>$229<\/b><\/div>\n
Show more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>
The Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card is packed with features for Southwest fans. The card offers 4X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points at gas stations and restaurants, and 1X points on all other purchases. Cardholders receive 7,500 anniversary points each year, 25% back on inflight purchases, and a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually. Additional features are no foreign transaction fees, comprehensive travel and purchase protections, contactless payment, and instant access to the card when added to a digital wallet.<\/div>
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