Southwest Airlines is overhauling its Rapid Rewards loyalty programme from 1 January 2027, replacing A-List and A-List Preferred with Silver and Gold and adding a new Platinum tier. Platinum members will receive unlimited Companion Pass trips, while the changes also introduce milestone rewards, broader credit-card earning opportunities and planned partnerships with Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways.
Silver status will require 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or 25 qualifying one-way flights. Gold will require 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights, while Platinum will require 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights. Existing A-List and A-List Preferred members will transition to Silver and Gold respectively.
Milestone Rewards will provide benefits before members reach the next status level. From spring 2027, members are expected to earn and redeem points on flights operated by the three initial international partners. Point redemptions for car rentals are due to begin in November 2026, with seat reservations to follow later in 2027.
All eligible Rapid Rewards credit cards are also due to earn TQPs on qualifying spending from 2027. Southwest plans to open its first Icon Lounges by the end of 2027, with access expected to include a new premium Chase card. The loyalty changes form part of a wider repositioning that includes assigned seating, revised baggage policies and fleetwide Starlink Wi-Fi by autumn 2027.