How do I upgrade my Southwest status?

How do I upgrade my Southwest status?

Southwest Airlines offers a tiered loyalty program, known as the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, where members can earn points and unlock various benefits as they progress through different status levels. If you’re wondering how to upgrade your Southwest status, here’s what you need to know:

To upgrade your Southwest status, you must earn a certain number of Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or fly a specific number of qualifying flights within a calendar year. There are three status levels in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program: A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass.

1. What are Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)?

Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are points earned from revenue flights or through select Rapid Rewards partners, such as car rental agencies and hotels. TQPs determine your eligibility for status upgrades within the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. It’s important to note that TQPs are different from Rapid Rewards points, which are used for redeeming flights.

2. How many TQPs do I need to reach A-List status?

To achieve A-List status, you need to earn 25,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or fly a minimum of 25 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. Once you reach A-List status, you’ll enjoy benefits like priority boarding, dedicated check-in and security lanes, and a 25% bonus on earned Rapid Rewards points.

3. What are the benefits of A-List Preferred status?

A-List Preferred is the next tier above A-List status in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. To attain A-List Preferred status, you must earn 50,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or fly a minimum of 50 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. A-List Preferred members enjoy all the benefits of A-List status, along with additional perks such as free in-flight Wi-Fi, a 100% bonus on earned Rapid Rewards points, and standby priority.

4. How do I earn a Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is a highly coveted benefit that allows you to designate a companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) on all Southwest flights, whether you’re using cash or points. To earn a Companion Pass, you need to earn 125,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which it is earned, plus the following calendar year.

5. Can I purchase Tier Qualifying Points to upgrade my status?

No, Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) cannot be purchased directly. The only way to earn TQPs is through eligible flights or by using Southwest’s partners, such as car rental agencies and hotels. However, keep in mind that Southwest occasionally offers promotions where you can earn bonus TQPs for specific flights or activities.

6. Do TQPs expire?

Yes, Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) have an expiration date. TQPs earned through eligible flights expire at the end of the calendar year in which they were earned. It’s important to track your TQPs and ensure you meet the requirements for status upgrades before the expiration date.

7. Can I qualify for status upgrades with Rapid Rewards points?

No, status upgrades within the Southwest Rapid Rewards program are based solely on Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or qualifying flights. Rapid Rewards points are separate and are used for redeeming flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and other rewards.

8. What if I achieve status in the middle of the year?

If you reach a higher status level, such as A-List or A-List Preferred, mid-year, your status will be valid for the remainder of the year in which it was earned, plus the following calendar year. This gives you more time to enjoy the benefits of your upgraded status.

9. Can I earn TQPs on international flights?

Yes, Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) can be earned on qualifying international flights operated by Southwest Airlines. However, it’s important to review the specific rules and restrictions for earning TQPs on international flights, as they may differ from domestic flights.

10. Can I combine TQPs from multiple years to upgrade my status?

No, Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) cannot be combined from different calendar years to upgrade your status. Each year, you’ll start fresh, and your TQPs earned in that specific year will count towards your status for that year only.

11. What happens if I don’t meet the requirements for status upgrades?

If you don’t earn the required number of Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or qualifying flights within a calendar year, your status will reset to the basic Rapid Rewards member level. You’ll lose any benefits associated with higher status levels.

12. How can I track my progress towards status upgrades?

You can easily track your progress towards status upgrades by logging into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. The account dashboard will display your current status and the number of Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or qualifying flights you’ve earned so far in the calendar year. Additionally, Southwest sends regular updates via email to keep you informed about your progress towards status upgrades.