So, you're looking to elevate your Southwest Airlines travel experience and unlock some fantastic perks, are you? Getting A-List or even A-List Preferred status on Southwest can truly transform your journeys, offering benefits like priority boarding, bonus points, and even free Wi-Fi. The key to unlocking these coveted tiers lies in accumulating Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs).
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about earning TQPs on Southwest Airlines, step by step, so you can achieve that elite status and enjoy a smoother, more rewarding travel life!
The Ultimate Guide to Earning Tier Qualifying Points on Southwest Airlines
Step 1: Are You Ready to Elevate Your Travel? (And What Even Are TQPs?)
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's make sure we're on the same page. Are you a frequent flyer with Southwest, or are you looking to become one? Do you value perks like early boarding and faster points earning? If so, then understanding Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) is your first crucial step!
Unlike redeemable Rapid Rewards points that you use for free flights, Tier Qualifying Points are specifically designed to track your progress towards elite status – A-List and A-List Preferred. They reset every calendar year, so it's a race against the clock to hit those targets!
What are the TQP thresholds for elite status?
A-List Status: Achieve 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points in a calendar year, OR fly 20 qualifying one-way flights.
A-List Preferred Status: Achieve 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points in a calendar year, OR fly 40 qualifying one-way flights.
Now that you know what you're aiming for, let's explore how to get there!
Step 2: Flying Your Way to Elite Status: The Core Method
The most direct and traditional way to earn TQPs is by flying with Southwest Airlines. Not all flights are created equal when it comes to TQPs, though!
Sub-heading: Understanding Qualifying Flights
Only "qualifying flights" count towards your TQP total. These are typically:
Flights operated by Southwest Airlines.
Flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits.
As of January 1, 2025, the cash portion of flights paid with Cash + Points bookings also counts towards TQPs! This is a significant positive change.
What doesn't count?
Reward flights (flights booked entirely with Rapid Rewards points).
Charter flights.
Nonrevenue travel.
Companion Pass travel (your Companion's flight does not earn TQPs for you).
Sub-heading: Earning TQPs Based on Fare Type
The number of TQPs you earn per dollar spent on a qualifying flight depends on the fare class you purchase. This is where your strategy comes in!
Here's a breakdown of how many Rapid Rewards points (which are also your TQPs for paid flights) you'll earn per dollar on the base fare:
Wanna Get Away: 6 points per dollar (Note: A new "Basic" fare will be introduced, replacing this, with its own earning structure).
Wanna Get Away Plus: 8 points per dollar.
Anytime: 10 points per dollar.
Business Select: 12 points per dollar.
Example: If you purchase an "Anytime" fare with a base price of $200, you'll earn $200 * 10 = 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points.
Sub-heading: The Power of Elite Status Bonuses (Once You Have It!)
Here's a cool perk: once you achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status, you'll start earning bonus Rapid Rewards points on your paid flights. While these bonus points are primarily for redemption, the base points earned on qualifying flights still count as TQPs.
A-List Members: Receive a 25% earning bonus on every qualifying flight.
A-List Preferred Members: Enjoy a whopping 100% earning bonus on every qualifying flight! This means you double your base points, accelerating your path to future redemptions.
Step 3: Credit Cards: Your Secret Weapon for TQPs
Beyond flying, Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards, issued by Chase, offer a powerful way to rack up Tier Qualifying Points through your everyday spending. This can be especially helpful for those who don't fly quite enough to hit the TQP thresholds solely through air travel.
Sub-heading: Eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
Several Chase Southwest credit cards allow you to earn TQPs:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Ca
rd
Sub-heading: How Credit Card Spending Translates to TQPs
For eligible consumer and business Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards, you earn:
1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually.
Important Considerations:
This is an annual earning potential. "Annually" typically means the year beginning with your account open date through the first December statement date of that same year, and then each 12 billing cycles starting after your December statement date through the following December statement date.
Only purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds, count.
These TQPs post to your Rapid Rewards account within 30 days of your statement closing date.
Strategy Tip: If you're close to a TQP threshold, using your Southwest credit card for a large purchase could be the push you need to reach A-List or A-List Preferred!
Step 4: Rapid Rewards Partners: Earn Points (and Sometimes TQPs) on the Ground
While not as direct a path to TQPs as flying or credit card spending, Southwest also has a network of Rapid Rewards partners where you can earn points. Crucially, only base points earned from these partners count as TQPs. This means bonus points or promotional points often do not.
Sub-heading: Key Partner Categories
Hotels: Book stays with Southwest's hotel partners.
Rental Cars: Rent vehicles through their car rental partners.
Shopping & Dining: Utilize the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal for online purchases or Rapid Rewards Dining for restaurant spending.
Home & Lifestyle: Various other partners may offer opportunities to earn points.
Always check the specific terms and conditions of each partner offer to confirm if the points earned will be considered "base points" and therefore eligible to count as TQPs. This is often less efficient for TQPs than flying or credit card spending, but every little bit can help!
Step 5: Monitoring Your Progress: Stay on Track!
Once you start accumulating TQPs, it's essential to keep an eye on your progress.
Log in to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Your Rapid Rewards dashboard on Southwest.com is your central hub for tracking TQPs, qualifying flights, and overall Rapid Rewards points.
Check Your Statements: If you're earning TQPs through a Southwest credit card, review your monthly statements to see how many TQPs have posted.
Remember: Tier Qualifying Points reset at the beginning of each calendar year (January 1st). So, if you're aiming for status, it's a yearly endeavor!
Step 6: Enjoying the Rewards: What A-List and A-List Preferred Get You
Earning elite status isn't just about the chase; it's about the fantastic benefits you'll enjoy!
Sub-heading: A-List Benefits
Priority Boarding (A1-A15): You and everyone on your reservation get an earlier boarding position. Southwest automatically reserves your boarding position 36 hours prior to the flight.
Free Same-Day Standby: The ability to list for same-day standby on an earlier flight without additional airline charges (taxes and fees may still apply).
Priority Lane and Express Lane Access: Expedited check-in and security where available.
Dedicated A-List Member Phone Line: Get direct access to a Customer Representative.
25% Earning Bonus: Earn points faster on every qualifying flight.
One Free Checked Bag (for you, others on reservation may vary post-May 28, 2025): While Southwest generally offers two free checked bags, this benefit ensures it. Note on new bag policy: For flights booked on or after May 28, 2025, A-List members receive their first checked bag free, but a second checked bag costs $35. A-List Preferred members will still receive two free checked bags.
Sub-heading: A-List Preferred Benefits (All A-List Benefits PLUS!)
100% Earning Bonus: Double your points on every qualifying flight – you'll be swimming in Rapid Rewards points!
Free Inflight Internet: Surf the web or send emails at no charge during your flight.
Up to Two Complimentary Premium Drinks: On select flights over 250 miles.
Dedicated A-List Preferred Phone Line: Even more exclusive access to customer service.
Two Free Checked Bags: Retain the two free checked bags perk even with the new bag policy.
Step 7: Beyond A-List: The Coveted Companion Pass
While not a "Tier Qualifying Point" status itself, the Southwest Companion Pass is the holy grail of Southwest benefits and often goes hand-in-hand with achieving A-List Preferred.
Sub-heading: Companion Pass Requirements
To earn the Companion Pass, you need to:
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year, OR
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year.
Once earned, your designated companion can fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees on any flight you purchase or redeem points for, for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earned it and the entire following calendar year!
Sub-heading: Companion Pass Qualifying Points - What Counts?
The good news is that many of the ways you earn TQPs also count towards Companion Pass qualifying points. These include:
Revenue flights booked through Southwest (the base points you earn).
Points earned on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (including welcome bonuses!).
Base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners.
Crucially, Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers receive a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year!
What doesn't count for Companion Pass? Purchased points, transferred points, converted points from hotel/car loyalty programs, tier bonus points, and flight bonus points.
The Companion Pass can offer incredible value, essentially cutting your travel costs in half for two people!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about earning Tier Qualifying Points on Southwest Airlines, with quick answers:
How to check my current Tier Qualifying Points balance?
You can easily check your current TQP balance by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigating to your Rapid Rewards dashboard.
How to earn Tier Qualifying Points faster?
Focus on flying higher fare classes (Anytime, Business Select), maximizing spending on your Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, and leveraging any qualifying partner promotions.
How to know if my flight will earn Tier Qualifying Points?
Generally, paid flights directly with Southwest, using dollars, LUV Vouchers, gift cards, flight credits, or the cash portion of Cash + Points bookings, will earn TQPs. Reward flights do not.
How to get A-List status with credit card spending alone?
To get A-List status (35,000 TQPs) solely through credit card spending, you would need to spend $5,000 * 35,000 / 1,500 = $116,666.67 in a calendar year on an eligible Southwest credit card.
How to differentiate between Rapid Rewards points and Tier Qualifying Points?
Rapid Rewards points are for redeeming free flights and other rewards, while Tier Qualifying Points are solely for earning elite status (A-List and A-List Preferred). For paid flights, the base points you earn often count as both.
How to qualify for A-List Preferred status?
You qualify for A-List Preferred status by earning 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points or flying 40 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
How to utilize the 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost from my credit card?
If you hold an eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card, you automatically receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year, usually by January 31st or within 30 days of account opening, which contributes towards the 135,000 point requirement for Companion Pass.
How to maintain my A-List or A-List Preferred status?
To maintain your status, you must re-qualify each calendar year by meeting the TQP or qualifying flight thresholds (35,000 TQPs/20 flights for A-List, 70,000 TQPs/40 flights for A-List Preferred).
How to find out which Rapid Rewards partners offer TQPs?
Always check the specific terms and conditions of each Rapid Rewards partner on Southwest.com or the partner's website. Look for language indicating "base points" earned will count towards tier status.
How to maximize my TQP earning on business travel?
If your business travel is with Southwest and paid by your company, ensure your Rapid Rewards number is on the reservation. Consider using a Southwest Business Credit Card for company expenses to potentially earn TQPs.
