Southwest Airlines will let members build Rapid Rewards status through eligible credit card purchases and add a top tier when its revised loyalty program takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The airline announced the changes Oct. 15. The new structure uses Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) and qualifying flights to set status. A-List will become Silver, requiring 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying flights. A-List Preferred will become Gold, at 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights. The new Platinum level, which includes unlimited Companion Pass trips, requires 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights.
Members who qualify for A-List or A-List Preferred in 2026 will carry over to Silver or Gold, respectively.
Rewards will also be tied to progress checkpoints. At 20,000 TQPs or 15 qualifying one-way flights, members may select either 2,000 Rapid Rewards points or two Preferred Seat Certificates. A second checkpoint, at 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights, lets members earn three Companion Pass trips. The trips remain valid through Dec. 31 of the next calendar year.
From Jan. 1, 2027, cardholders will earn one Tier Qualifying Point for each dollar of eligible purchases on Rapid Rewards credit cards. Southwest says cardholders also receive a 10,000-TQP boost upon reaching 130,000 TQPs. Members who qualified for Companion Pass under the 2026 rules can continue taking unlimited trips until the end of 2027.
Southwest vice president of Rapid Rewards Nandika Suri said the redesign followed member feedback about earning status and redeeming points.
Southwest plans to start rental-car bookings with points in November 2026. It has also scheduled point redemptions for travel on Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways for spring 2027, with seat selection redemptions planned later that year.
