Achieving Southwest Elite Status: Evaluating Its Value and How to Achieve It
Southwest Airlines offers three levels of elite status: A-List, A-List Preferred, and the Companion Pass. Each status provides unique benefits and qualification requirements, making it essential to understand their differences.
A-List and A-List Preferred
To earn A-List status, fly 20 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) in a calendar year. A-List Preferred requires 40 qualifying one-way flights or 70,000 TQPs.
Both statuses offer priority boarding, free same-day standby, free inflight Wi-Fi, and accelerated points earning. A-List Preferred includes higher priority and a higher points bonus.
The Companion Pass
The Companion Pass is a separate entity and doesn't include any of the benefits that come with A-List or A-List Preferred. To earn the Companion Pass, you'll need to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
The Companion Pass allows you to bring a companion on any Southwest flight for just the cost of taxes and fees on the second ticket. This can represent significant savings if flying frequently with another person.
Value Proposition
A-List and A-List Preferred enhance your own travel experience by giving boarding priority, upgrades, and faster points accumulation. These statuses are good for frequent flyers seeking convenience and faster rewards.
On the other hand, the Companion Pass provides potentially huge monetary savings by effectively getting a “second ticket” free on all your flights, making it ideal for travelers flying with a companion.
Duration
Elite status with A-List and A-List Preferred is valid for the calendar year earned, while the Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year earned plus the entire following calendar year.
Earning via Credit Cards
Southwest credit cards can help accelerate earning TQPs for A-List and A-List Preferred status. Southwest credit cards also provide 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points as a jump start.
Combining Statuses
A Companion Pass holder can still earn A-List perks if they qualify separately, enhancing their overall experience.
Promotional Offers
Promotional short-term Companion Pass offers are also available occasionally, offering a limited window of companion flying benefit with lower qualification barriers.
Other Features
- Southwest Airlines does not charge for baggage or change or cancellation fees.
- Southwest Airlines does not assign seats.
- The Rapid Rewards program has no blackout dates.
- Reward travel, bonus Rapid Rewards points (unless specifically designated to count towards status), tier bonus points, transferred or gifted points, purchased points, points earned from program enrollment, promotion bonus points (with the exception of a Rapid Rewards credit card), partner bonus points (with the exception of a Rapid Rewards credit card), flight bonus points, purchased promotional tier qualifying points, and charter flights do not count towards A-List or A-List Preferred status.
In conclusion, if you often travel with a companion, the Companion Pass usually offers greater dollar value than A-List statuses. However, if you travel alone frequently or value boarding and service upgrades, A-List or A-List Preferred may be more valuable. You can also combine statuses to enhance your overall experience.
[1]: Southwest Airlines Official Website [2]: Southwest Airlines A-List and A-List Preferred Benefits [3]: Southwest Airlines Current Promotions [4]: Southwest Airlines Companion Pass Benefits [5]: Southwest Airlines Companion Pass FAQs
Read also:
- Increase in train disruptions seen in 2021 by a factor of two
- Osteoarthritis and premature retirement: Entitlements and advantages
- Tesla introduces Model Y in China to bolster sales, causing stress for domestic competitors
- Uncovering the Purpose and Distinctiveness of Human Fingerprints: An Exploration of Their Significance and Individuality
