Southwest Airlines will replace its A-List and A-List Preferred loyalty levels with Silver and Gold from 1 January 2027, while adding a new Platinum tier to Rapid Rewards. The overhaul also introduces international earning and redemption through airline partners, beginning in spring 2027, and changes how members qualify for Companion Pass benefits.
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. Members who qualify for A-List or A-List Preferred through 2026 activity will transition to Silver or Gold for 2027.
Southwest will retire the separate Companion Pass qualifying-points system and use TQPs as the single qualification currency. Members reaching 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying flights will receive three Companion Pass trips, while Platinum members will receive unlimited trips.
The new tiers will provide flight-points bonuses of 40% for Silver, 60% for Gold and 120% for Platinum. Silver, Gold and Platinum members will receive one, two and up to three free checked bags, respectively. Gold’s bonus will be lower than the 100% currently available to A-List Preferred members.
From January, Southwest-branded credit cards will earn one TQP per dollar spent. Milestone rewards will also be introduced, including a choice of 2,000 bonus points or two preferred-seat certificates at 20,000 TQPs or 15 qualifying flights. Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways will initially join the international partner network, although award pricing and availability have not yet been published.