How to Earn Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred Status

Unlock free checked bags and other valuable perks with Southwest elite status

Status Guide
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A-List Status

Requirements:

  • 25 one-way qualifying flights (in a calendar year)
  • 35,000 tier qualifying points (in a calendar year)

Benefits:

  • 1 free checked bag under the new policy for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
  • Priority boarding (automatically assigned A-List position)
  • 25% earning bonus on paid flights
  • Same-day standby benefits
  • Priority check-in and security lane access
  • Dedicated phone line for customer service

A-List Preferred Status

Requirements:

  • 50 one-way qualifying flights (in a calendar year)
  • 70,000 tier qualifying points (in a calendar year)

Benefits:

  • 2 free checked bags under the new policy for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
  • All A-List benefits
  • 100% earning bonus on paid flights
  • Free in-flight WiFi

How to Earn Qualifying Flights & Points

Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)

Tier Qualifying Points are earned based on the fare type you purchase:

  • Wanna Get Away: 6 TQPs per dollar spent
  • Wanna Get Away Plus: 8 TQPs per dollar spent
  • Anytime: 10 TQPs per dollar spent
  • Business Select: 12 TQPs per dollar spent

Qualifying Flights

Each one-way revenue flight you take counts as one qualifying flight, regardless of any connections. Round-trip flights count as two qualifying flights.

Shortcuts to Status

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

    Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 spent on the card (up to 15,000 TQPs per year)

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

    Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 spent on the card (up to 15,000 TQPs per year)

  • Status Match or Challenge

    Southwest occasionally offers status match opportunities if you have status with another airline

Pro Tips for Earning Status Faster

  • Book Business Select fares when possible

    They earn the highest tier qualifying points per dollar spent (12 TQPs)

  • Use a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card for everyday spending

    To accumulate tier qualifying points through card spend

  • Focus your travel with Southwest

    Consolidating your flights with one airline helps reach status thresholds faster

  • Look for bonus TQP promotions

    Southwest occasionally offers promotions that award bonus tier qualifying points

Important Notes:

  • Rapid Rewards® credit-card bag benefit does not stack on top of A-List benefits. If you have both, you'll receive the better of the two benefits (not both).
  • Bag benefits are subject to standard weight (50 lbs) and size (62 linear inches) restrictions. Overweight and oversize bags will incur additional fees.
  • Active-duty U.S. military personnel with valid military ID can check unlimited bags free of charge (up to 100 lbs and 80 inches per bag).