Becoming a Southwest Airlines A-List member is a fantastic way to enhance your travel experience, offering perks that can make your journeys smoother and more enjoyable. If you've ever envied those passengers breezing through the priority lane or getting early boarding, you're looking at the benefits of A-List status. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to achieve this coveted status, step by step.
Ready to elevate your Southwest travel? Let's dive in!
Understanding Southwest A-List Status
Before we jump into the "how," let's briefly understand "what" A-List status is and why it's worth pursuing. Southwest A-List is the first tier of elite status within the Rapid Rewards program. It offers a range of valuable benefits, including:
-
Priority Boarding: This is arguably the most significant perk. As an A-List member, you and everyone on your reservation automatically receive an earlier boarding position (often in the A group) 36 hours before the flight. No more frantic checking in exactly 24 hours prior!
-
25% Earning Bonus: You'll earn 25% more Rapid Rewards points on every qualifying flight, helping you rack up points for free flights even faster.
-
Dedicated A-List Member Phone Line: Get quicker access to customer service with a special phone line.
-
Priority Lane and Express Lane Access: Speed through check-in and security at select airports.
-
Same-Day Standby: You can list for same-day standby on an earlier flight without a fare difference, though taxes and fees may apply.
There's also A-List Preferred status, which is an even higher tier offering additional benefits like free in-flight Wi-Fi, two free checked bags (A-List typically only includes one free checked bag), and a 100% earning bonus. We'll focus on A-List for this guide, but many of the strategies apply to both.
 |
| How Do You Get On Southwest Airlines A List |
Step 1: Are You a Rapid Rewards Member? (If not, Join Now!)
The very first and most crucial step to achieving any Southwest elite status is to be a member of their loyalty program, Rapid Rewards. If you haven't already, stop reading this very moment and sign up! It's free, takes only a few minutes, and is the foundation for earning points and tier status.
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
-
Why it's essential: All your qualifying flights and spending will be tracked under your Rapid Rewards account. Without it, you're essentially flying for free (in terms of loyalty benefits, that is!).
-
How to join: Simply visit the Southwest Airlines website and look for the "Rapid Rewards" section. Follow the prompts to create your account. Make sure your name matches your government-issued ID.
Step 2: Understand the Qualification Requirements for A-List
To achieve A-List status, you need to meet one of two criteria within a calendar year (January 1st to December 31st):
-
Option A: Fly 20 Qualifying One-Way Flights
-
Option B: Earn 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)
Let's break down what these mean.
Sub-heading: Understanding "Qualifying One-Way Flights"
A "qualifying one-way flight" is a flight operated by Southwest Airlines, paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits.
-
Important Note: Flights booked with Rapid Rewards points do not count towards qualifying flights. So, if you're aiming for A-List, focus on paid fares.
-
Connecting Flights: A single itinerary from origin to destination, even with a layover, typically counts as one one-way flight for the purpose of A-List qualification if it's on a single ticket. For example, if you fly from city A to city C with a connection in city B, that's still considered one qualifying one-way flight.
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
Sub-heading: Understanding "Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)"
TQPs are different from the redeemable Rapid Rewards points you earn for free flights. TQPs are specifically designed to track your progress towards elite status. The number of TQPs you earn per dollar spent on a flight depends on the fare type:
-
Basic fares: 2 TQPs per dollar
-
Wanna Get Away Plus fares: 6 TQPs per dollar
-
Anytime fares: 10 TQPs per dollar
-
Business Select fares: 14 TQPs per dollar
-
Example: If you buy a Wanna Get Away Plus fare for $100, you'll earn 600 TQPs ($100 x 6). If you buy a Business Select fare for $100, you'll earn 1,400 TQPs ($100 x 14).
-
Cash + Points Bookings: For flights paid with Cash + Points, you only earn points on the dollar portion of the fare.
Step 3: Strategize Your Path to A-List
Now that you know the requirements, it's time to strategize. Which path makes more sense for you: flying segments or earning TQPs?
Sub-heading: Path 1: Focusing on Flight Segments
If you frequently take short, one-way flights or multiple connecting flights, this might be your faster route.
QuickTip: Reading twice makes retention stronger.
-
Scenario: You take 10 round-trip flights in a calendar year. Each round trip consists of two one-way flights (outbound and inbound). So, 10 round trips = 20 one-way flights. Voila! You've reached A-List.
-
Tip: Consider short-haul flights or itineraries with connections if you're just a few segments shy at the end of the year. However, always weigh the cost and time against the value of A-List.
Sub-heading: Path 2: Focusing on Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)
If you take fewer flights but they tend to be more expensive (e.g., longer routes, Anytime, or Business Select fares), focusing on TQPs might be more efficient.
-
Scenario: To earn 35,000 TQPs, you could, for example:
-
Spend )
-
Spend )
-
A combination of fare types.
-
-
Tip: If your company pays for your flights and you often book higher fare classes, you might be closer to A-List than you think!
Step 4: Leverage Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (a Powerful Tool!)
This is where things get interesting for many travelers. Several Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, issued by Chase, can significantly accelerate your path to A-List status.
-
How it works: Eligible Rapid Rewards Credit Cards earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent annually. There is no limit to how many TQPs you can earn this way.
-
Example: To earn the full 35,000 TQPs solely through credit card spending, you would need to spend approximately $116,667 ($35,000 / 1500 TQPs per $5000 spent * $5000). While this is a substantial amount, it can be incredibly helpful for supplementing TQPs earned from flying, especially if you're close to the threshold.
-
Combine and Conquer: This is the most effective strategy for many. Fly as much as you normally would, and then use your Southwest credit card for everyday spending to bridge any TQP gaps.
-
Credit Cards to Consider: Look into cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, or their business equivalents. Always check the most current offers and benefits on Chase and Southwest's websites, as these can change.
Step 5: Explore Promotional Opportunities and Status Matches
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
Southwest occasionally offers promotions that can help you earn A-List status faster. Keep an eye out for these!
-
Double/Triple TQPs: Southwest sometimes runs promotions where you can earn double or even triple TQPs on qualifying flights or through specific activities.
-
Status Match: If you hold elite status with another major U.S. airline, Southwest might offer you a "status match" to A-List.
-
How it works: You typically provide proof of your current elite status with another airline. If approved, Southwest grants you promotional A-List status for a limited period (e.g., 90 days).
-
Extending the Match: To extend this promotional A-List status for a full year, you'll generally need to complete a certain number of qualifying flights within that initial promotional period (e.g., 3 round-trip or 6 one-way qualifying flights).
-
Check Southwest's website: These status match offers are not always available, so it's essential to check the official Southwest Airlines website for current opportunities.
-
Step 6: Monitor Your Progress Regularly
Once you start flying and spending, it's crucial to keep an eye on your A-List progress.
-
Your Rapid Rewards Account: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. You'll find a section dedicated to your tier status progress, showing how many qualifying flights or TQPs you've accumulated.
-
Calendar Year Reset: Remember that qualification is based on a calendar year. Your progress resets on January 1st. Plan your travel and spending accordingly to maximize your efforts within a single year.
Step 7: Enjoy Your A-List Benefits!
Once you've met the criteria, Southwest will typically update your status within 72 hours. You'll then be able to enjoy all the fantastic A-List perks for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualified, and for the entire following calendar year.
-
Example: If you qualify for A-List in September 2025, you'll enjoy A-List benefits for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest A-List status, starting with "How to":
-
How to check my A-List progress?
-
Quick Answer: Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigate to the "Rapid Rewards" section. Your current tier status and progress toward A-List will be displayed.
-
-
How to get A-List status with Southwest credit card spending?
-
Quick Answer: Certain Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent. You can earn an unlimited amount of TQPs through this method to help reach the 35,000 TQP requirement.
-
-
How to qualify for Southwest A-List quickly?
-
Quick Answer: Focus on higher-fare tickets (Anytime or Business Select) to earn more TQPs per dollar, or consider applying for a Southwest credit card and putting a significant amount of spending on it. Also, look for limited-time promotions or status match opportunities.
-
-
How to maintain Southwest A-List status?
-
Quick Answer: You need to re-qualify each calendar year by either flying 20 qualifying one-way flights or earning 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points.
-
-
How to get free checked bags with Southwest A-List?
-
Quick Answer: As an A-List member, you typically receive one free checked bag. A-List Preferred members receive two free checked bags. Note: Southwest's general policy allows all passengers two free checked bags (subject to size/weight limits), but A-List benefits can provide additional allowances depending on the specific fare class and recent policy changes. Always verify current bag policies.
-
-
How to get priority boarding with Southwest A-List?
-
Quick Answer: Your boarding position is automatically reserved for you and others on your reservation 36 hours prior to the flight. You still need to check in within 24 hours to retrieve your boarding pass.
-
-
How to use the A-List dedicated phone line?
-
Quick Answer: Once you achieve A-List status, the phone number for the dedicated A-List line will be available in your Rapid Rewards account details or on your digital A-List card.
-
-
How to get A-List Preferred status?
-
Quick Answer: A-List Preferred status requires 40 qualifying one-way flights or 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points in a calendar year.
-
-
How to get a Southwest status match?
-
Quick Answer: Check the Southwest Airlines website for current status match promotions. You'll typically need to submit proof of elite status with another major U.S. airline.
-
-
How to know if my flights count towards A-List?
-
Quick Answer: Only qualifying one-way flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits count. Flights redeemed with Rapid Rewards points do not count. Always ensure your Rapid Rewards number is attached to your reservation.
-
 |
