Southwest Rapid Rewards: How to earn and redeem points, elite status and more

Southwest Airlines was long known for policies such as no change fees and complimentary checked bags.

But the airline has changed significantly over the past couple of years, introducing assigned seating, checked bag fees and new fare types while expanding its international reach through a growing network of interline partners.

Southwest Rapid Rewards points remain straightforward to earn and redeem, though, and the program still offers one of the most valuable airline loyalty perks around: the awesome Southwest Companion Pass. However, the program will change substantially in 2027 with renamed elite tiers, an all-new top-tier Platinum status and a new way to qualify for the Companion Pass.

Here's what you need to know about the program.

Southwest Rapid Rewards program overview

Like Southwest Airlines itself, the Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program has amassed a loyal following. Despite not having a standard award chart or being part of a worldwide airline alliance, Rapid Rewards' promise of no blackout dates and the ability to earn Southwest's famous Companion Pass make it an excellent choice for couples, families and those with not-so-flexible schedules.

Southwest adjusted award prices to make them more "variable," as opposed to tying the award price to the cash value. In our testing, we've found that depending on the date of and demand for your flight, you can get as little as 1.1 cents or as much as 1.7 cents per point in value.

TPG values Rapid Rewards points at 1.25 cents per point in our October 2026 valuations, meaning 10,000 points should give you around $125 in value.

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don't expire, so you don't need to maintain regular account activity to keep them. However, if you close your Rapid Rewards account, you'll lose any remaining points.

Southwest elite status

Through Dec. 31, 2026, Southwest offers A-List and A-List Preferred status. These will become Silver and Gold on Jan. 1, 2027, when Southwest adds Platinum as its new top tier.

Southwest A-List elite status

To qualify for A-List status, you must fly 20 qualifying one-way Southwest flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.

For the 2026 qualification, tier qualifying points are earned primarily from qualifying revenue flights, eligible spending on select Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and eligible Getaways by Southwest bookings. Rapid Rewards partner points (other than tier qualifying points earned on eligible Southwest credit cards), transferred points, purchased points, enrollment points, reward flights, Companion Pass travel and most bonus points, including tier bonus points, flight bonus points and credit card welcome bonuses, don't count toward A-List or A-List Preferred qualification.

Members now earn tier qualifying points on the cash portion of flights booked using Southwest's Cash + Points option.

You can also earn:

• 2,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent annually on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• 2,000 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent annually on the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent annually on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, every Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, including those that don't currently earn tier qualifying points, will instead earn 1 tier qualifying point per dollar spent on eligible purchases, with no cap on how many you can earn.

With Southwest A-List status, you'll get the following:

• Complimentary preferred or standard seat at the time of booking; choose an extra-legroom seat within 48 hours of departure for no additional cost (if available)
• One complimentary checked bag
• Group 1 boarding
• A 25% bonus on points earned from paid flights
• Complimentary same-day standby, even on Basic fares (taxes and fees may apply)
• Priority check-in and security lane access
• Access to a dedicated A-List member phone line

Southwest A-List Preferred elite status

A-List Preferred status requires you to fly 40 qualifying one-way Southwest flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. You'll receive all the benefits of A-List status, as well as:

• Complimentary seat selection at the time of booking, including extra-legroom seats
• Two complimentary checked bags
• Dedicated boarding before Group 1
• A 100% bonus on points earned from paid flights
• Two complimentary premium drinks on select flights over 250 miles

Related: Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it

Southwest Silver, Gold and Platinum status in 2027

In 2027, Rapid Rewards elite status will change both in how it is earned and the benefits, as follows:

A-List and A-List Preferred members automatically become Silver and Gold on Jan. 1, 2027, and keep that status through Dec. 31, 2027. Southwest adds Milestone Rewards at 20,000 tier qualifying points or 15 flights (choose 2,000 Rapid Rewards points or two preferred seat certificates) and 95,000 tier qualifying points or 75 flights (earn three Companion Pass trips). Earning toward the new Milestone Rewards starts Jan. 1, 2027, when tier qualifying points reset; 2026 activity does not carry over.

Each companion trip can be one-way or round-trip, with taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way. Each redemption uses one full trip, even for a one-way journey (so it's best to use it for a round-trip, if you can), and Milestone Rewards earned in 2027 expire Dec. 31, 2028. In 2027, primary cardmembers who reach 130,000 tier qualifying points receive a one-time boost of 10,000 tier qualifying points toward Platinum status.

Southwest also expects its first Southwest Icon Lounges to open in late 2027 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu and Nashville International Airport (BNA). A new premium Chase-issued Southwest credit card, launching in 2027, will provide lounge access; its name, annual fee and exact launch date haven't been announced.

Southwest also plans to equip its fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi by fall 2027, with complimentary access for Rapid Rewards members where available.

How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points

There are a few ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points — and some don't even require flying.

Earn points by flying

You can earn Rapid Rewards points every time you fly on a paid Southwest Airlines flight. The number of points you'll earn depends on the cost of your flight, your elite status, the type of ticket and your payment method.

Under Southwest's current fare structure, Basic fares earn 2 points per dollar spent on the base fare; Choice fares earn 6 points per dollar; Choice Preferred fares earn 10 points per dollar; and Choice Extra fares earn 14 points per dollar. A-List members receive a 25% bonus on qualifying flight earnings, while A-List Preferred members receive a 100% bonus.

You can also earn Rapid Rewards points on Southwest-operated flights booked through Icelandair, Southwest's first international airline partner, as long as you add your Rapid Rewards number to the booking. These points count toward A-List and Companion Pass qualification.

In 2027, Basic and Choice fares will still earn 2 and 6 points per dollar spent, respectively; Choice Preferred fares will fall to 8 points per dollar spent, and Choice Extra fares will drop to 10 points per dollar spent. Silver, Gold and Platinum members will earn 40%, 60% and 120% flight bonuses. Members transitioning to Gold from 2026 A-List Preferred status retain the 100% bonus through 2027.

Beginning in spring 2027, members will also be able to redeem Rapid Rewards points directly for travel with partner airline Icelandair, as well as earn and redeem on China Airlines and Etihad Airways. Southwest has not disclosed award pricing, booking rules or whether partner flights will provide elite status credit.

Earn points with Southwest credit cards

Southwest Airlines has several cobranded credit cards issued by Chase.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Southwest also offers the following business cards:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Southwest and Chase also plan to launch a new premium Southwest credit card in 2027 that will provide access to a new network of Southwest Icon Lounges, with the first lounges expected to open by the end of 2027.

Transfer points to Southwest Rapid Rewards

Additionally, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

You can transfer certain hotel points to Rapid Rewards, though they aren't usually a great value. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio, with 5,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. With Best Western Rewards, transferring 5,000 points nets you 1,200 Rapid Rewards points. Transferring 6,000 Choice Privileges points gets you 1,800 Rapid Rewards points. And for World of Hyatt transfers, 5,000 World of Hyatt points become 2,400 Rapid Rewards points, with 50,000 Hyatt points producing 30,000 Southwest points after a 6,000-point bonus.

Remember that these transfers don't earn tier qualifying points or count toward Companion Pass qualification.

Other ways to earn Rapid Rewards points include via Rapid Rewards Dining and Rapid Rewards Shopping purchases, booking stays through Southwest Hotels and making purchases with other partners.

Check out our overall guide on the different ways you can earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points to learn more.

Related: How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards

Buy Rapid Rewards points

You can also purchase Rapid Rewards points directly from Southwest if you need to top off your account for an award. The minimum purchase is 2,000 points, and Southwest currently allows you to buy up to 60,000 points per day for yourself or as a gift. Points usually cost 3 cents each, though the program runs promotions from time to time to reduce this price.

Purchased points don't count toward A-List, A-List Preferred or Companion Pass qualification.

How to redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points

There are several ways to redeem your points, but right now, you'll almost always get the most value by using them for travel on Southwest flights. Other redemption options, like gift cards and merchandise, yield much less value. From November 2026, you can also redeem points for rental cars with Southwest's car rental partners. Later in 2027, you'll be able to use points to select seats on Southwest-operated flights, including extra-legroom and preferred seats.

The process for redeeming Rapid Rewards points for flights is largely the same as booking a paid flight. Head to the Southwest homepage, enter your search criteria and select the "Points" option. Click the yellow search button to see your flight options.

You'll see award pricing to the right of each available flight. You can filter flights by the number of layovers and departure times using the buttons at the top of the page. Then, click the ticket price for your desired flight and follow the onscreen prompts to book.

Which fare type should I choose?

You can redeem points for flights in any of the four Southwest fare types. The least-expensive option, Basic, is a good value for many travelers, though it's restrictive. Standard seats are generally assigned at check-in unless your elite status or an eligible Southwest credit card provides earlier seat selection. Cash Basic fares are nonrefundable outside Southwest's 24-hour cancellation policy, so canceling one gets you a flight credit rather than a refund. Flight changes require you to upgrade to Choice, Choice Preferred or Choice Extra first.

Choice fares are slightly more flexible, with free same-day confirmed changes and standby. Additionally, if you need to cancel your flight, flight credits can be transferred to another person. But the real benefit is that you'll be able to pick a standard seat when booking your flight.

Choice Preferred adds preferred seat selection, earlier boarding, expedited check-in and security at select airports, and refundable fares. Extra-legroom seats aren't included unless a separate elite status or credit card benefit provides them.

Choice Extra fares are the most expensive, offering two main added benefits: complimentary extra-legroom seats at the time of booking and two free checked bags. They also include Group 1 boarding, and you'll receive one complimentary premium drink on board (on select flights over 250 miles).

Basic flight credits expire after six months and are nontransferable. Credits from Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra expire after 12 months and can be transferred once between Rapid Rewards members. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra cash fares can be refunded to the original payment method if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure.

Southwest cardholders get their first checked bag free on each of the airline's cards. This benefit applies to the primary cardholder and up to eight travelers on the same reservation but not to flights booked with a partner airline. All cardholders can also select a seat in some capacity, even if they're flying on a Basic fare.

Can I change Southwest award tickets without a fee?

You can cancel Southwest award tickets without a cancellation fee, provided you meet the applicable cancellation deadline.

Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares can also be changed without a change fee. If your new award costs more, you'll pay the difference in points. If it costs less, Southwest will return the points difference to your account.

Basic fares are an exception: To change a Basic booking, you must first upgrade the fare to Choice, Choice Preferred or Choice Extra. Alternatively, you can cancel the Basic award and rebook, subject to Southwest's cancellation and no-show rules.

Do I have to pay taxes and fees on award tickets?

You must pay certain taxes and fees when booking Southwest award tickets, starting at $5.60 one-way. If you cancel your award flight at least 10 minutes before departure, your Rapid Rewards points will be returned to your account. Eligible taxes and fees can generally be refunded to the original payment method or retained as a flight credit, depending on how they were paid.

For more details, check out our guide on how to redeem your Southwest points.

How can I get the most value from my Rapid Rewards points?

Because Southwest's award prices vary, flexibility can help you reduce the number of points needed for a flight. One useful starting point is Southwest's Low Fare Calendar, which displays the lowest available fare for each day across a month. If your dates are flexible, compare nearby travel days before booking.

After booking, keep checking the award price. For Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares, if the price falls, you can change to the lower-priced fare and have the difference in points returned to your Rapid Rewards account. Basic award fares can't simply be changed, but you can cancel and rebook if the fare rules allow.

Finally, the Companion Pass (described below) can be the biggest way to stretch your Rapid Rewards points.

How much are the fees on Southwest Rapid Rewards tickets?

For U.S. mainland travel booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026, Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred travelers generally pay $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second each way.

Southwest cardholders and up to eight passengers on the same reservation get the first bag included. A-List members pay $35 for the second; A-List Preferred and Choice Extra travelers get two included. Silver members transitioning from 2026 A-List qualification retain the $35 second-bag rate through 2027. Hawaii interisland, oversized and overweight baggage fees differ.

Southwest doesn't charge change or cancellation fees, but you'll pay any fare or points difference. A no-show can cause you to forfeit funds or points.

Maximize your points with the Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is undoubtedly one of the most valuable perks of the Rapid Rewards program. After earning the pass, you can choose a companion to travel with you for just the cost of taxes and fees on eligible Southwest-operated flights booked directly through Southwest, subject to seat availability. You can use the Companion Pass on as many flights as you'd like, effectively doubling the value of your Rapid Rewards points.

Through Dec. 31, you can earn a Companion Pass with 100 qualifying one-way segments or 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. Eligible points include those from paid Southwest flights, Southwest credit card welcome bonuses and purchases, the Southwest debit card and base points from partners such as hotels, car rentals, Rapid Rewards Dining and Rapid Rewards Shopping. Partner bonus points and transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt and hotel programs don't count.

Related: I've earned the Southwest Companion Pass for over a decade — here's how I maximize its value

You can only designate one companion at a time, but you can change your companion three times per calendar year. You can change your companion through your Southwest account, but you'll need to cancel any existing reservations that include your current companion first. According to the airline, allow up to 48 hours for the change to take effect, but in our experience, it happens immediately. Remember that your companion will not earn Rapid Rewards points on their flight, but you will still earn points if you fly on a paid ticket.

Your Companion Pass earned under the 2026 rules will be valid for the remainder of the year in which it's earned and the entirety of the following year (unless you earn the pass through a special promotion).

Starting in 2027, Companion Pass qualifying points will be retired. Members can earn three Companion Pass trips at 95,000 tier qualifying points or 75 flights, while Platinum status at 140,000 tier qualifying points or 100 flights provides unlimited trips. Existing Companion Pass holders will retain unlimited use through the original end of their term.

Starting in 2027, credit card welcome and referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus-category points and hotel or rental car partner earnings will no longer count toward Companion Pass qualification. Southwest says bonuses on cards approved by Dec. 2, 2026, can still count if the spending requirement is met in early 2027.

Related: How to earn and use the Southwest Companion Pass

Bottom line

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are easy to earn and redeem, and the incredibly valuable Companion Pass sets Southwest apart from other airlines. Don't miss your fast track to a Companion Pass with the right cobranded credit card in 2026.

However, Rapid Rewards will undergo substantial changes in 2027. Every Southwest credit card will help members earn status; Milestone Rewards will provide earlier benefits; Platinum will make the Companion Pass a formal top-tier benefit; and international partners will expand award options.

On the downside, credit card welcome bonuses will generally stop counting toward Companion Pass qualification. Choice Preferred and Choice Extra will earn fewer points, Silver and Gold will require more qualifying flights and Gold members will earn a smaller flight bonus than A-List Preferred members currently do.