{"id":282054,"date":"2026-10-15T18:21:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=282054\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T18:22:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:22:05","slug":"southwest-rapid-rewards-overhaul-goodbye-a-list-hello-international-partner-redemptions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/rapid-rewards-overhaul-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Rapid Rewards Overhaul: Goodbye A-List, Hello International Partner Redemptions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southwest Airlines has changed a lot in just two years. Now the airline has assigned seating<\/a>, checked bag fees<\/a>, and is even building airport lounges<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On October 15, the airline turned its attention to the Rapid Rewards<\/a> loyalty program and announced the most significant overhaul<\/a> in years: A-List and A-List Preferred are replaced by three new status tiers, along with a robust lineup of other changes.<\/p>\n

Here's everything we learned about the future of Southwest's Rapid Rewards\u00a0program.<\/p>\n

Southwest Rapid Rewards Changes<\/span><\/h2>\n

New Southwest status tiers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let's start with the biggest news: A-List and A-List Preferred status are going away. Southwest has unveiled new elite status tiers: Silver<\/strong>, Gold<\/strong>, and Platinum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Silver replaces A-List, Gold replaces A-List Preferred, and Platinum is a new top tier that includes the coveted Companion Pass<\/a>. This is a huge change for the program, which has granted A-List status since the last major program overhaul in 2011.<\/p>\n

Although Southwest is keeping its status qualification\u00a0model\u00a0in place \u2014 earn status by flying qualifying one-way flights or by earning enough Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) \u2014 the thresholds are changing for each status level:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Tier<\/th>2027 Requirement<\/th>2026 Requirement<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Silver<\/td>25 flights or 35,000 TQPs<\/td>20 flights or 35,000 TQPs (for A-List)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gold<\/td>50 flights or 65,000 TQPs<\/td>40 flights or 70,000 TQPs (for A-List Preferred)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Platinum<\/td>100 flights or 140,000 TQPs<\/td>100 flights or 135,000 TQPs (for Companion Pass)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

A few things stand out. The number of flights required for Silver and Gold is increasing, but the TQPs required to reach Gold are decreasing. Platinum adds 5,000 TQPs to the old Companion Pass threshold, though a new credit card boost (covered below) will more than offset that increase in 2027. Plus, Platinum adds benefits beyond the Companion Pass, so it makes sense it is a little harder to reach.<\/p>\n

Benefits at each tier are changing, too. Current A-List members get a 25% bonus on qualifying flights, but Silver members will get a 40% bonus. That's a great change. However, A-List Preferred members earn a 100% Rapid Rewards points bonus on flights. Once the status becomes Gold in 2027, the bonus falls to 60%. That's a huge reduction.<\/p>\n

Platinum members will earn a 120% bonus on flights. So, if you earn a Companion Pass each year, your Rapid Rewards points earnings will increase substantially.<\/p>\n

Here's a breakdown of each new status tier:<\/p>\n

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

Companion Pass Qualifying Points are gone<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Companion Pass has always been the crown jewel of Rapid Rewards, and one of the most valuable perks in any award program. Southwest has essentially created a new top tier with the Companion Pass as one of its perks. Platinum members get unlimited two-for-one travel for a designated companion, plus up to three free checked bags.<\/p>\n

The good news? The pass itself isn't changing.<\/p>\n

The bad news? Earning it will be a lot tougher.<\/p>\n

For years, Southwest tracked Companion Pass progress with a separate metric called Companion Pass Qualifying Points, which was admittedly confusing to have separate from Tier-Qualifying Points. In 2027, Companion Pass Qualifying Points are gone<\/strong>, and you'll earn a Companion Pass based purely on the TQPs you earn.<\/p>\n

This simplifies the program, but it's a major hit for anyone who uses credit cards to earn a Companion Pass. Welcome bonuses, partner spend, and bonus points from spend (like gas) will no longer count toward earning a Companion Pass.<\/p>\n

You could still fly 100 qualifying flights, but you will need 140,000 TQPs in 2027 to earn Platinum status, and by extension, a Companion Pass. Southwest co-branded cardholders who reach 130,000 TQPs in 2027 will receive a 10,000 TQP boost, earning Platinum status.<\/p>\n

New milestone rewards<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like other airline programs, Southwest is adding milestone awards that offer perks as you work toward the next status tier.<\/p>\n

In 2027, members who reach 15 qualifying flights or 20,000 TQPs \u2014 before reaching Silver status \u2014 can choose between 2,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points or two preferred seat coupons.<\/p>\n

The more valuable milestone sits between Gold and Platinum. At 75 flights or 95,000 TQPs, members receive three Companion Pass trips. Each one works like a single-use Companion Pass, good for one two-for-one booking. For a member who won't reach Platinum, three free companion flights could be worth several hundred dollars on their own.<\/p>\n

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

Southwest credit card updates<\/span><\/h3>\n

Starting January 1, 2027, every Southwest-branded credit card will earn 1 Tier Qualifying Point per dollar spent<\/strong>. Today, only some cards earn TQPs, and none earn a full TQP on every dollar.<\/p>\n

That includes the Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/a>, the entry-level personal card, which currently earns no TQPs toward status. Under the new rules, everyday spending on any Southwest card counts toward Silver, Gold, Platinum, the milestone rewards, and the Companion Pass.<\/p>\n

Combined with the 10,000 TQP Companion Pass boost for cardholders, this is the clearest signal in the announcement that Southwest wants spending on its Chase cards to be the main road to status. It also follows other programs, like American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>, which ties status to Loyalty Points<\/a> earned purely from credit card spending.<\/p>\n

In addition, Southwest will launch a new premium co-branded card with Chase at some point in 2027. We don't have details yet, but we do know it will grant access to Southwest lounges.<\/p>\n

Introducing partner award redemptions<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is the change many of us have been waiting on since Southwest began signing international partnerships in 2025. Beginning in “spring 2027,” Rapid Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem points on three partner airlines:<\/p>\n