[Expired] New Fast-track Promotion to Southwest Elite Status [Register First]

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Southwest is making it easier to achieve elite status. The Dallas-based carrier has rolled out a new promotion that offers 3 ways to help frequent flyers of the airline achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status. While this promotion is available to all Rapid Rewards members, you must first register to activate it. Here is a look at everything you need to know, including how to register for this new promotion.

3 Ways To Earn Status With Southwest’s New Promotion

1. Award Flights Count Towards Elite Status

With Southwest’s new promotion, all award flights booked and completed between March 1, 2023, and May 31, 2023, will count towards elite status. Each flight booked and flown between the promotion dates will count as 1 tier qualifying flight, and 10% of the points redeemed will count as tier qualifying points.

2. Earn Double Tier Qualifying Points

Qualifying flights booked and completed between March 1, 2023, and May 31, 2023, will earn double-tier qualifying points. Note that this aspect of the promotion is limited to flights purchased with cash, LUV vouchers, gift cards, or travel funds, but not with Rapid Rewards Points. Hot Tip: To participate in either promotion, you must register first. If you already have flights booked during the promotion window, you must cancel the flight and rebook after registering for the promotion, if you want your award trip(s) to count towards your segments, or paid flight(s) to earn double-tier qualifying points.

3. Earn Elite Status With Credit Card Spending

From March 1, 2023, to May 31, 2023, Rapid Rewards credit cardholders can earn tier-qualifying points with credit card spending. For every $5,000 spent on any Rapid Rewards credit card, you’ll earn 3,000 tier qualifying points. These are extra tier qualifying points above and beyond what you may already be earning with your Southwest credit card. As a reminder, here are the current Rapid Rewards credit cards:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

How to Register for the New Southwest Promotion

To take advantage of Southwest’s new promotion, you must register first. To do that, log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and click on My Account. Then scroll to the bottom of the page until you see the button to register.

Once you click on that, you’ll see a Register button. Since you’ll already be logged into your account, you can register with 1 click — there is no need to input any additional information.

Southwest Elite Level Benefits and Requirements

Here is a look at the requirements needed for each level of Southwest elite status, and the benefits you will receive once your qualify.

For most flyers, A-List will be the sweet spot as it requires half of the flying that A-List Preferred does and receives all of the same benefits, with the exception of earning fewer points and free Wi-Fi on flights (though all Southwest flyers can receive free Wi-Fi by holding the Southwest Performance Business card). Note that we have omitted the highest elite tier, the Southwest Companion Pass, as this promotion does not count towards the 100 one-way qualifying flights or 135,000 tier qualifying points needed to achieve that status. Those who qualify for A-List, or A-List Preferred during the promotion window will receive status for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, this is an excellent promotion for those looking to make the final push to qualify, or re-qualify, for Southwest elite status. Don’t forget that you need to first register for the promotion, rebook any flights that you’d made prior to registering, and that all of your travel must be completed by the promotion deadline of May 31, 2023.