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Southwest is overhauling its most popular rewards perk — and it’s a lot to unpack.
Starting on Jan. 1, the popular airline will be changing the terms of its Rapid Rewards program — a longtime favorite where travelers scored free flights using the Companion Pass.
The pass was said to be one of the best in the biz as travelers could earn 135,000 points and then score a designated companion on eligible Southwest flights — with no extra payment.
But come next year, getting free flights will be a real pain in the pass.
Southwest has announced a change to its program as three new membership tiers will be rolled out — which will change how travelers qualify for Companion Pass perk.
The Texas-based airline is touting the changes as opportunities to earn, stating in a press release, “Southwest Rapid Rewards is becoming even more rewarding with perks and a simpler qualification structure for status and Companion Pass benefits.”
But customers aren’t buying it.
The budget airline will swap its A-List and A-List Preferred levels with Silver and Gold, and add a new Platinum tier. This means, Silver will now replace A-List while Gold will replace A-List Preferred.
The new Platinum will include the unlimited Companion Pass trips — but the way to score the pass will require passengers to spend more. Previously, travelers could earn the coveted Companion Pass by earning 135,000 eligible points in one calendar year — this included qualifying credit card welcome bonuses.
Once the change comes into force, bonuses will no longer count toward requirements. Instead, the airline said purchases made with Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards will earn one Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) for every dollar spent.
The math may be easier — but the perks are more difficult. Customers who once signed up for the program only to score points for the pass will no longer be able to do that.
If you are already a Companion Pass holder, nothing will change for you today — but make sure to check your expiration date as qualifying passes earned in 2026 will remain valid through December 31, 2027.
While there are other ways to earn points and rewards, travelers and Southwest diehards are absolutely gutted. One X user posted the new rewards system was “the end of an era.”
“RIP to the best deal in travel: Southwest is effectively gutting the Companion Pass – or the best way to earn it, anyway,” the post read. “Starting Jan. 1, welcome bonuses on new credit cards no longer count toward earning unlimited BOGO flights. You’ll have to fly Southwest, spend ($140K!) on a Southwest card a year, or some combination of the two.”
Another wrote, “They keep finding ways to turn customers away.”
So what can travelers look forward to? Southwest will now dole out a 10,000-TQP bump once cardholders reach 130,000 TQPs. The airline says the new points boost will get travelers closer to the desired 140,000 Platinum status.
Regardless of where you stand, it might be a good idea to grab the cheaper rate before it flies away for good.