Southwest Airlines may not offer premium seats, but you can still earn extra benefits when you get on the A-List. Usually, you’d need to fly 25 one-way segments or earn 35,000 tier-qualifying points to earn A-List status in the Rapid Rewards program.
But there’s a limited-time offer available with the current Southwest A-List status match promotion where your status with another airline will earn you immediate A-List status for 90 days. And you can extend it for a full 12 months with six one-way flights within 90 days of enrollment.
Southwest A-List Status Match Promotion
To enroll in this Southwest A-List status match promotion, simply email Southwest with your name, Southwest Rapid Rewards number and a screenshot of your current elite status with another U.S.-based carrier. You may also include a photograph of your airline loyalty card as proof of your status.
Here’s what you’ll get with the Southwest A-List status match promotion:
- Immediate A-List status for 90 days
- Option to extend A-List status for a full year
You can extend Southwest A-List status for a full year if you fly three round-trip flights or six one-way flights within 90 days of confirmation of enrollment in this promotion.
For full details and to enroll, go to the Southwest A-List status match promotion page. I’d wait until closer to your travel dates before enrolling to give yourself the most time possible to enjoy these benefits.
Please note that, in order to receive A-List benefits, your flights have to be booked after your enrollment.
What Is Southwest A-List?
Southwest Airlines offers three loyalty tiers—standard, A-List and A-List Preferred. The Southwest Companion Pass is a parallel benefits program that isn’t included in this promotion.
A-List members receive the following benefits:
- Priority Boarding
- Priority Check-in
- Priority Security Lane Access
- 25% Earning Bonus on Paid Flights
- Dedicated A-List Member Phone Line
- Free Same-Day Standby
Unlike other airline loyalty programs where you can receive upgrades to First or Business Class, Southwest only offers one class of service.
Southwest offers a variety of credit cards, including the business and personal version of the Premier card. It allows you to earn up to 15,000 tier qualifying points each year towards A-List status. However, the other 20,000 tier qualifying points will need to be earned from buying Southwest flights.
Conclusion
I used to have A-List Preferred status for a number of years until I did the math and realized that paying extra for Anytime or Business Select fares to receive a few extra perks as an A-List member wasn’t worth it. I’d rather save the cash and buy the perks on an as-needed basis.
However, with this Southwest A-List status match promotion, it totally makes sense to gain A-List status immediately and then make three more round-trip flights within 90 days to maintain A-List status for a full 12 months. If you like the extra perks of A-List, then consider getting the Southwest Premier credit card to make requalifying for A-List next year a little easier with the up to 15,000-point boost that it provides.