So, you're eyeing that Southwest Business Select experience and wondering, "How much does it cost to upgrade to Business Select on Southwest Airlines?" It's a fantastic question, and one that many travelers ponder when looking for a more seamless and comfortable journey with the airline known for its unique boarding process and "Bags Fly Free" policy.
Let's dive deep into the world of Southwest's premium fare and explore everything you need to know about its cost, benefits, and how to snag that upgrade!
Understanding Southwest's Fare Structure: Before We Talk Upgrades
Before we get to the nitty-gritty of upgrading, it's essential to understand Southwest's fare structure. Unlike many airlines with distinct "First Class" or "Business Class" cabins, Southwest operates a single-cabin fleet. This means you won't get a bigger seat or a separate section of the plane by upgrading to Business Select. Instead, you're paying for perks and priority.
Southwest typically offers four main fare types (though names and specifics can sometimes evolve, so always check the latest on their website):
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Basic: The most restrictive and generally cheapest fare. Expect minimal flexibility.
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Wanna Get Away Plus®: Offers a bit more flexibility than Basic, including transferable flight credit.
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Anytime: More flexible, often refundable, and provides earlier boarding benefits.
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Business Select®: The most premium fare, offering the highest level of flexibility and a host of valuable perks.
When you "upgrade" to Business Select, you're essentially changing your existing fare to the Business Select fare, and the cost is the difference between what you originally paid and the current Business Select fare price.
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| How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade To Business Select On Southwest Airlines |
Step-by-Step Guide: How Much Does it Cost to Upgrade to Business Select on Southwest Airlines?
Step 1: Are You Considering an Upgrade or a Direct Booking? Let's Engage!
First things first, are you looking to upgrade an existing reservation, or are you planning to book a new flight and considering Business Select from the start? The answer impacts how you approach the cost.
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If you're booking a new flight: The "cost to upgrade" is simply the difference in price between the Business Select fare and any lower fare options (Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime) presented to you during the booking process. You'll see this clearly displayed.
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If you have an existing reservation: This guide is primarily for you! We'll walk through how to upgrade an already booked flight.
Let's assume you've already booked a flight and are now thinking, "Hmm, maybe I want those Business Select perks!"
QuickTip: Keep going — the next point may connect.
Step 2: Accessing Your Reservation and the Upgrade Tool
Southwest makes it relatively easy to manage your existing reservations and explore upgrade options online.
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Sub-heading: Navigate to the Southwest Website Open your web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website (southwest.com).
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Sub-heading: Log In (Recommended) or Access Your Reservation While you can access your reservation without logging in, it's generally easier and more streamlined if you have a Rapid Rewards account and are logged in.
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If logged in: Go to "My Account" or "My Trips."
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If not logged in: Look for a "View/Manage Reservations" or "Check In" link. You'll need your confirmation number, first name, and last name.
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Sub-heading: Locate the Upgrade Option Once you've found your reservation, look for an option related to "Change Flight," "Modify Reservation," or specifically, "Upgrade." Southwest often has a dedicated "Upgrade" tool, which is the most direct path. You might find it at
southwest.com/air/upgrade
Step 3: Understanding the Cost Difference – The Core of Your Question!
This is where the rubber meets the road. Southwest doesn't have a fixed "upgrade fee" to Business Select like some airlines. Instead, you pay the difference in fare between your current ticket and the Business Select fare at the time you initiate the upgrade.
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Sub-heading: The Dynamic Pricing Factor The cost of upgrading will vary significantly based on several factors:
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Original fare type: If you booked a Basic fare, the difference to Business Select will be much higher than if you booked an Anytime fare.
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Route: Longer or more popular routes generally have higher fare differences.
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Demand: If the flight is heavily booked, the Business Select fare might be significantly higher, making the upgrade more expensive.
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Time of upgrade: Upgrading closer to the departure date often results in a higher cost as available Business Select fares may be limited.
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Current sales/promotions: Sometimes, Business Select fares might be on sale, reducing the upgrade cost.
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Sub-heading: How the Price is Displayed When you go through the upgrade process online, Southwest's system will show you the exact amount you need to pay to convert your existing fare to Business Select. It will be clearly stated as the "difference in fare."
Example:
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You originally paid $150 for a Wanna Get Away fare.
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The current Business Select fare for that exact flight is $300.
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Your upgrade cost will be $150.
Important Note: If the Business Select fare is lower than your original fare (highly unlikely for an upgrade scenario, but theoretically possible if prices drop drastically after your initial booking), Southwest generally does not refund the difference when upgrading to a higher fare class. However, Business Select is a refundable fare, so if you had a refundable fare to begin with and then upgraded to Business Select, you'd retain that refundability.
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Step 4: Reviewing the Benefits and Making the Decision
Before confirming your upgrade, it's crucial to weigh the cost against the benefits you'll receive. Are these perks worth the additional expense for your travel needs?
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Sub-heading: Key Benefits of Southwest Business Select Here's what you typically get with a Business Select fare:
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Guaranteed A1-A15 Boarding Position: This is often the biggest draw. You get to board among the very first passengers, giving you the best choice of seats and overhead bin space. This can be a huge advantage on a full flight!
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Refundable Fare: Business Select fares are fully refundable to your original form of payment if you cancel, offering maximum flexibility.
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Two Free Checked Bags: While Southwest already offers two free checked bags for everyone, Business Select explicitly includes this, ensuring you don't incur any unexpected fees (though this is rarely an issue for most Southwest travelers).
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Free Inflight Wi-Fi: Stay connected and productive (or entertained!) throughout your flight without an extra charge.
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Complimentary Premium Drink: Enjoy a free alcoholic beverage (or other premium drink) on flights of 176 miles or more. This coupon is usually printed directly on your boarding pass.
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Priority Lane Access (Fly By®): At select airports, Business Select passengers can use dedicated check-in and security lanes, potentially saving you time.
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Highest Rapid Rewards Point Earning: You'll earn 14 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on Business Select fares, which is the highest earning rate, helping you accumulate points faster for future flights.
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Step 5: Completing the Upgrade
Once you've decided the upgrade is worth it, the final steps are straightforward.
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
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Sub-heading: Payment Confirmation The system will prompt you for payment for the fare difference. You'll use a credit card or other accepted payment method.
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Sub-heading: Confirmation and New Boarding Pass After successful payment, you'll receive a confirmation of your upgraded fare. Your new boarding pass (which you'll retrieve closer to departure, or upon check-in if you've already done so) will reflect your Business Select status and benefits. You'll automatically be assigned an A1-A15 boarding position, so you don't need to worry about checking in precisely 24 hours before your flight for the best position.
Is It Worth It? Considerations Beyond the Cost
The cost of upgrading to Business Select is a variable figure, but the value of that upgrade is even more subjective. Consider these points:
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Your Priority for Boarding: If getting an aisle seat, window seat, or securing overhead bin space is paramount to your travel comfort, the guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position is a significant advantage.
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Flexibility Needs: If your plans are prone to last-minute changes, the fully refundable nature of Business Select offers peace of mind.
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Wi-Fi Usage: If you rely on inflight internet for work or entertainment, the complimentary Wi-Fi adds value.
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Rapid Rewards Earning: For frequent Southwest flyers, the accelerated point earning can justify the cost over time.
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Alternative Options: Remember that Southwest also offers "Upgraded Boarding" at the gate for a fee (typically $30-$149 per segment) which also gets you an A1-A15 position, and "EarlyBird Check-In" ($15-$99) which automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure, often resulting in an A or early B group. These might be cheaper ways to achieve early boarding if that's your primary goal.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, starting with 'How to', along with their quick answers:
How to check the current cost of Business Select for a specific flight?
You can check the current cost of Business Select by going to Southwest.com, entering your flight details as if you were booking a new flight, and comparing the prices of the different fare types.
How to upgrade to Business Select if I originally booked with Rapid Rewards points?
If you booked with points, you can generally "upgrade" by paying the difference in points for the Business Select fare. The system will calculate the additional points required.
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
How to get a refund if I cancel a Business Select ticket?
Business Select fares are fully refundable to your original form of payment. Simply cancel your flight through your Southwest account or by contacting customer service.
How to use the complimentary premium drink coupon?
The drink coupon is typically printed on your Business Select boarding pass. Present it to the flight attendant when requesting your complimentary premium beverage.
How to use Fly By® Priority Lane access?
At select airports, look for signs indicating "Fly By" lanes at check-in and security. Show your Business Select boarding pass to gain access.
How to determine if Business Select is worth the extra cost for a short flight?
For short flights, the value of Wi-Fi and a drink might be less impactful. The primary benefit would be priority boarding and flexibility. Compare the fare difference with the cost of Upgraded Boarding ($30-$149) as a cheaper alternative for early boarding.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
How to know if my flight offers inflight Wi-Fi?
Most Southwest flights offer Wi-Fi, but coverage can vary. You can check the amenities for your specific flight on the Southwest app or website closer to your departure date.
How to earn more Rapid Rewards points with Business Select?
By purchasing a Business Select fare, you automatically earn 14 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent, which is the highest earning rate available on Southwest flights.
How to change my flight if I have a Business Select ticket?
Business Select fares offer significant flexibility, allowing for same-day confirmed changes to another flight on the same day between the same cities without an airline change fee (though government taxes and fees may apply, which are generally refunded).
How to get an A1-A15 boarding position without upgrading to Business Select?
You can purchase "Upgraded Boarding" at the gate or within 24 hours of departure (if available, typically $30-$149) or purchase "EarlyBird Check-In" ($15-$99) when you book your flight, which automatically checks you in earlier.
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