Southwest A-List Recommended

You can improve your flight experience by achieving elite status. Status can come with a host of benefits, but it also comes with some money-saving benefits.

In this article, you will learn the pros and con of pursuing Southwest A List Preferred Status.

Benefits of Southwest A-List Preferred

A-List preferred is Southwest Airlines top-tier, which goes above A-List. A-List Preferred members get the same benefits as A-List, such as free standby on the day of travel, and dedicated security/check-in lines, where they are available. They also receive a few other perks, like:

• Priority boarding For you and all those on your reservation.

• Earning bonus of 100% : Double Rapid Rewards points on each flight.

• Changes made the same day are free: If there is room, confirm changes to flights on the same day with no difference in price.

• Phone line dedicated : Call the A-list number at Southwest to jump ahead in the queue.

• Enjoy free Wi-Fi in flight to stay connected.

Southwest’s status offers some benefits that are different from other airlines. Southwest does not offer any kind of first class or business-class experience, and therefore, seat upgrades are not available.

Since the airline offers free two bags for every passenger, it is not necessary to include this in status benefits.

How to Get Southwest A-List Preference

The next step, if you decide A-List preferred status is something worth working towards, is to figure out the best way to achieve it. You can achieve this status in two different ways: by flying or spending money with Southwest Partners.

To achieve A-List preferred, you’ll either need to earn 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) within a calendar year or fly 50 segments in one direction. The flight segments themselves are easy to understand, but the way you can earn tier points and when you do so depends on your fare type and price.

• Want to Get away : When you purchase Southwest’s base fares, you will earn Rapid Rewards points of six per dollar.

• Anytime: Get 10 Rapid Rewards Points per dollar.

With this earning structure, you can earn more status by booking higher fares and spending more. Business Select is the quickest way to achieve Southwest’s elite status.

Once you reach A-List, you will earn 25% more points for every purchase. If you attain A-List preferred, you earn double the points per fare.

You can earn more by spending strategically if you don’t have the time to complete all of your flight segments needed to achieve Southwest A-List Preferred. Partner companies include:

• Hotels : Use your Rapid Reward number to book at Best Western Radisson Choice Hotels World of Hyatt Marriott Bonvoy MGM or through Southwest’s booking platform.

• Renting a car: Earn points when you book a rental vehicle with Alamo. Avis. Budget. Dollar. Hertz. National. Payless. You can use your Rapid Reward number.

• Dining and shopping : With Rapid Rewards Shopping and Dine, you earn points for online purchases made through select airline portals, partners or participating restaurants.

• Home If you reside in an area that permits electricity suppliers to be chosen, members of Rapid Rewards can earn points by choosing NRG.

• Online Surveys : Southwest partners with several platforms to offer you the opportunity to earn Southwest points by completing online surveys.

Two credit cards allow you not only to earn Rapid Rewards points but also unlimited points for tier qualification.

Earn 1,500 TQPs towards A-List Status for each $10,000 spent. There is no maximum earning limit.

What does Southwest status mean?

When you only have the option of achieving status on one airline, there’s no reason not to go for a status worth something both financially and personally.

Our calculations show that the value of higher-tier status can be substantial but it will cost you about $14,768. Comparing that to American Airlines’ AAdvantage gold status which is worth $2158, but costs $7595.

More information

Consider the following when earning Rapid Reward points and Southwest Status:

• 
  Points are never expired.
  

• 
  When booking points, there are no blackouts dates.
  

• 
  There are unlimited reward seats available on all flights, so long as there are seats available to sell.
  

• 
  The status will be valid for the rest of the year in which it was achieved and the following calendar year.
  

• 
  Every year, you must qualify for the status.
  

Should you earn Southwest A List Preferred status?

Although Southwest A-List preferred may not be the best airline status, if it is something you use often it might still be worth the money. Especially if it can earn you an annual companion pass . This allows you to get two flights at the cost of just one.

(Lead photo is courtesy of Southwest Airlines).