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The Upgraded Points Podcast: Southwest Is Making Big Moves [Episode 75]

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Katie Corrigan Seemann
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Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
The Upgraded Points Podcast: Southwest Is Making Big Moves [Episode 75]
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Southwest is making big moves, including opening its first airport lounges and a new premium credit card. In today’s episode, we’re diving into this news so you know what to expect from Southwest in 2027.

“The Upgraded Points Podcast” is your essential points-and-miles travel podcast. Each episode includes insider tips, real-world travel experiences, and points-and-miles strategies from the experts at Upgraded Points.

Southwest’s Big Moves, HHN 2026, and the Renovated Aruba Marriott Resort

Southwest used to be a no-frills low-cost carrier, but those days are gone. The airline just announced it would be adding airport lounges in 2027. The first 4 locations will be in Austin (AUS), Baltimore (BWI), Honolulu (HNL), and Nashville (BNA), with plans to have at least 11 lounges in the next few years.

Additionally, we can look forward to a new Southwest premium credit card sometime in 2027. While we don’t know many details, we do know that this card will include access to the new Southwest lounges. Plus, LOT Polish Airlines was just announced as Southwest’s newest international airline partner.

Additionally, Chris Hassan shares his experience at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2026, and Katie Corrigan Seemann discusses her stay at the newly renovated Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

Listen to or watch this week’s episode on Apple Podcasts:

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Do you have a question or comment for the show? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
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About Katie Corrigan Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then, and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, LongWeekends Magazine, AAA The Extra Mile, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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