So, you're looking to elevate your Southwest Airlines travel experience and unlock some fantastic perks, are you? Getting on the A-List Preferred status is a game-changer for frequent flyers, offering a smoother, more rewarding journey. Let's dive into exactly how you can achieve this coveted status, step by step!
How Do You Get A-List Preferred on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program offers two elite tiers: A-List and the even more exclusive A-List Preferred. Reaching A-List Preferred status means enjoying a significant upgrade to your travel, from priority boarding to free in-flight internet. It's all about accumulating enough "qualifying activity" within a calendar year.
There are two primary paths to A-List Preferred status, and we'll break down both:
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| How Do You Get A List Preferred On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Elevate Your Southwest Experience?
Before we jump into the "how," let's quickly understand why you might want to achieve A-List Preferred. Are you tired of scrambling for overhead bin space? Do you wish for earlier boarding positions and a more relaxed airport experience? If so, then A-List Preferred is definitely for you!
Here's a glimpse of the fantastic benefits you'll unlock with A-List Preferred status:
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Priority Boarding (A1-A15): You and everyone on your reservation get an earlier boarding position, meaning you'll be among the first to choose your seat and find overhead bin space.
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Two Free Checked Bags: Say goodbye to those baggage fees!
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Free Inflight Internet: Stay connected, work, or stream during your flight without an extra charge.
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Dedicated A-List Preferred Member Phone Line: Get direct access to customer representatives for quicker assistance.
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Priority Lane and Express Lane Access: Speed through check-in and security at participating airports.
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100% Earning Bonus: Double the Rapid Rewards points on every qualifying flight, helping you earn free flights even faster!
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Same-Day Standby: Get on an earlier flight the same day without additional airline charges (taxes and fees may apply).
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Up to Two Complimentary Premium Drinks: Enjoy a refreshing beverage on select flights over 250 miles.
Now that you know what awaits you, let's explore the pathways to achieving this elite status!
Step 2: Understanding the Qualification Requirements
To achieve A-List Preferred status with Southwest Airlines, you need to meet one of two criteria within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st):
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
Sub-heading: Option A: Flying Your Way to Status
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Fly 40 qualifying one-way flights. This means 40 paid one-way segments on Southwest Airlines. A round trip typically counts as two one-way flights.
What counts as a "qualifying flight"? These are flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits. Flights paid with Rapid Rewards points, charter flights, and group travel do not count towards A-List Preferred qualification.
Sub-heading: Option B: Earning Your Way with Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)
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Earn 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs). TQPs are different from the redeemable Rapid Rewards points you use for free flights. They are specifically designed to help you achieve elite status.
How are TQPs earned?
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Revenue Flights: The number of TQPs you earn per dollar spent on a flight depends on the fare type you purchase:
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Business Select: Earns the most TQPs per dollar.
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Anytime: Earns a good amount of TQPs per dollar.
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Wanna Get Away Plus: Earns fewer TQPs than Anytime or Business Select.
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Basic: Earns the least TQPs per dollar.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: Certain Southwest co-branded credit cards from Chase allow you to earn TQPs through your everyday spending. Currently, you can earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent on eligible Rapid Rewards Premier, Priority, Premier Business, or Performance Business Credit Cards. This can be a significant boost if you're a high spender!
What doesn't count towards TQPs for A-List Preferred? Points earned from welcome bonuses on Southwest credit cards, purchases through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, hotel stays, rental cars, purchased points, or transferred points generally do not count towards A-List Preferred status. They count towards Companion Pass, but not tier status.
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Step 3: Strategizing Your Path to A-List Preferred
Now that you understand the requirements, let's look at how to strategically reach your goal.
Sub-heading: For the Frequent Flyer
If you travel extensively for business or pleasure, focusing on flight segments might be your most straightforward path.
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Track Your Flights: Keep a close eye on how many qualifying one-way flights you've completed throughout the year. Southwest's Rapid Rewards account dashboard will show your progress.
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Optimize Your Bookings: If you have flexibility, consider choosing Southwest for more of your flights, even if they aren't always the absolute cheapest. The long-term benefits of A-List Preferred can outweigh a small price difference.
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Consider Business Travel: If your company uses Southwest, ensure your Rapid Rewards number is linked to all your business bookings.
Sub-heading: For the Credit Card Power User
If you don't fly quite as frequently, leveraging a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card can be a powerful tool to earn TQPs.
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Get a Qualifying Credit Card: Apply for a Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, Priority, Premier Business, or Performance Business Credit Card.
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Maximize Your Spending: Use your chosen Southwest credit card for as many of your everyday expenses as possible. This is where those TQPs from spending really add up!
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Monitor Your TQP Accumulation: Your credit card statements and your Rapid Rewards account will show you how many TQPs you've earned from spending.
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Be Mindful of the Calendar Year: Remember that TQPs reset at the end of each calendar year. Plan your spending accordingly to maximize your chances of hitting the 70,000 TQP target.
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
Sub-heading: A Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
Many successful A-List Preferred members use a combination of flying and credit card spending.
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Analyze Your Travel Habits: Look at your typical annual flight activity. Do you usually fly 20-30 one-way segments? Then you might only need an additional 40,000-50,000 TQPs from credit card spending.
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Set a Monthly TQP Goal: Divide your target TQPs (from credit card spending) by the number of months remaining in the year to get a clear monthly spending goal. For example, to earn 70,000 TQPs entirely through credit card spending, you'd need to spend approximately $234,000 ($5,000 per 1,500 TQPs). This highlights why a hybrid approach is often more feasible.
Step 4: Monitoring Your Progress and Enjoying Your Status!
Once you start accumulating qualifying flights or TQPs, it's essential to track your progress.
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Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: The Southwest Airlines website and mobile app are your best friends here. Your Rapid Rewards dashboard will clearly display your current flight count and TQP balance, showing you exactly how close you are to A-List Preferred.
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Watch for Status Updates: Once you meet the requirements, Southwest will automatically update your status within 72 hours. You'll usually receive an email notification as well.
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Embrace the Perks: As soon as your status is confirmed, start enjoying those fantastic A-List Preferred benefits on your subsequent Southwest flights! Make sure your Rapid Rewards number is always linked to your reservations.
Remember, A-List Preferred status is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, and for the entire following calendar year. So, if you qualify in August 2025, you'll enjoy the benefits through December 31, 2026!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Southwest A-List Preferred status:
How to check my A-List Preferred progress?
You can check your A-List Preferred progress by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest Airlines website or mobile app. Your dashboard will display your qualifying flights and Tier Qualifying Points.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
How to ensure my flights count towards A-List Preferred?
Ensure your Rapid Rewards number is entered on every booking. Flights must be paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits to count as qualifying flights.
How to maximize Tier Qualifying Points from credit card spending?
Use your eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card (Premier, Priority, Premier Business, or Performance Business) for all possible purchases, as you earn 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent.
How to use my A-List Preferred priority boarding?
Your boarding position will be automatically reserved for you and passengers on your reservation 36 hours prior to the flight. You still need to check in within 24 hours of departure to retrieve your boarding pass.
How to get my two free checked bags as A-List Preferred?
Simply check in your bags as usual; the fee will automatically be waived for your first two checked bags due to your A-List Preferred status.
How to access free in-flight internet with A-List Preferred?
Tip: Reading carefully reduces re-reading.
On WiFi-enabled aircraft, your A-List Preferred status will grant you complimentary access to the internet. Instructions will typically be available once you connect to the Southwest Wi-Fi network.
How to use the dedicated A-List Preferred phone line?
Southwest provides a specific phone number for A-List Preferred members, which you can find in your Rapid Rewards account details or on the Southwest website.
How to utilize priority lanes at the airport?
Look for "Priority Lane" or "Express Lane" signage at Southwest check-in counters and security checkpoints at participating airports. Show your A-List Preferred status on your boarding pass or in the app.
How to get complimentary premium drinks as A-List Preferred?
On select flights over 250 miles, show your digital boarding pass in the Southwest app to the flight attendant to receive up to two complimentary premium drinks.
How to maintain A-List Preferred status each year?
To maintain A-List Preferred status, you must re-qualify each calendar year by flying 40 qualifying one-way flights or earning 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points.
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