Southwest Rapid Rewards® program updates

Starting January 1, 2027, Southwest Rapid Rewards is becoming even more rewarding with perks and a simpler qualification structure for status and Companion Pass® benefits. Here's how it will work.

5 min read • Updated October 2026

Important information

1. Tier Qualifying Points: Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines®. Starting January 1, 2027, you will also earn 1 TQP for each $1 spent on purchases made with your Rapid Rewards Credit Card. Purchases of products and services, minus returns and refunds, are made by using a card by you or an authorized user of the account; however, the following types of transactions won’t count as purchases: balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like transactions including, but not limited to: travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, other similar digital or virtual currency and other similar transactions; lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers, or similar offline and online betting transactions; person-to-person money transfers and account funding transactions that transfer currency, any checks that access your account, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable. TQPs earned will be posted to the primary credit cardmember’s Rapid Rewards® account after your credit card billing cycle closes. TQPs are accrued on an annual basis. The first year runs from your account open date through your December statement cycle date of that same year. After that, each annual period consists of the 12 billing cycles starting after your December statement cycle date and ending with the following December statement cycle date. Only TQPs posted to your Rapid Rewards account will qualify for loyalty tiers as described in Southwest.com/rrterms.

2. Rapid Rewards points: Rapid Rewards points can be earned from (a) Qualifying Flights (defined below) operated by Southwest®, or (b) through qualifying purchases with our Rapid Rewards partners. “Qualifying Flights” include flights operated by Southwest Airlines® and paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits and those paid with Cash + Points. NOTE: With a Cash + Points booking, points are earned only on the portion of the base fare that is paid with dollars. Qualifying Flights exclude reward flights, charter flights, nonrevenue travel, and Companion Pass® travel. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms.

3. Preferred Seat Selection at Booking: When available, Silver Members will be able to select a Preferred or a Standard seat at the time of booking, or up to 60 minutes prior to a flight’s scheduled local departure time. If no Preferred or Standard seat is available, Silver Members will be assigned a seat in accordance with the fare rules of the ticket purchased. When available, Silver Members will be able to select Preferred or Standard seats for up to 8 additional Passengers on the same reservation as the Silver Member, allowing for a total of 9 Preferred or Standard seats. If the Silver Member is removed from the reservation and there is no tier Rapid Rewards® Member or primary Cardmember with the same or greater seatings benefits, all seating selections for that reservation will be released and seats will be assigned in accordance with the fare rules of the ticket purchased. Benefits may not apply on itineraries booked with partner airlines. Silver Members should allow up to 14 days for tier status to be updated in their Rapid Rewards account to be eligible for this benefit. Rapid Rewards account and Silver status must be open and in good standing when selecting a Preferred or Standard seat. If your Rapid Rewards account is voluntarily closed or tier status expires before travel, any existing seat selection will be maintained. However, any modification to the reservation made after the account closure/status expiration will result in the loss of the seat assignment. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms.

4. Extra Legroom Seat Upgrade at 48 hours: When available, Silver Members will be able to upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to flight departure for themselves and up to 8 additional Passengers on the same reservation, allowing for a total of 9 Extra Legroom seats. If the Silver Member is removed from the reservation and there is no Rapid Rewards® Tier Member or primary Cardmember with the same or greater seating benefits, all seating selections for that reservation will be released and seats will be assigned in accordance with the fare rules of the ticket purchased. Benefits may not apply to itineraries booked with partner airlines. Silver Members should allow up to 14 days for tier status to be updated in their Rapid Rewards account to be eligible for this benefit. Rapid Rewards account and Silver status must be open and in good standing when selecting a Preferred or Standard seat. If your Rapid Rewards account is voluntarily closed or tier status expires before travel, any existing seat selection will be maintained. However, any modification to the reservation made after the account closure/status expiration will result in the loss of the seat assignment. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms.

5. Extra Legroom Seat Selection at Booking: When available, Gold and Platinum Members will be able to select an Extra Legroom, Preferred or a Standard seat at the time of booking, or up to 60 minutes prior to a flight’s scheduled local departure time. If no Extra Legroom, Preferred or Standard seat is available, Gold and Platinum Members will be assigned a seat in accordance with the fare rules of the ticket purchased. When available, Gold and Platinum Members will be able to select Extra Legroom, Preferred or Standard seats for up to 8 additional Passengers on the same reservation as the Gold Member, allowing for a total of 9 Extra Legroom, Preferred or Standard seats. If the Gold or Platinum Member is removed from the reservation and there is no Rapid Rewards® Tier Member or primary Cardmember with the same or greater seatings benefits, all seating selections for that reservation will be released and seats will be assigned in accordance with the fare rules of the ticket purchased. Benefits may not apply on itineraries booked with partner airlines. Gold and Platinum Members should allow up to 14 days for card status to be updated in their Rapid Rewards account to be eligible for this benefit. If your Rapid Rewards account is voluntarily closed or tier status expires before travel, any existing seat selection will be maintained. However, any modification to the reservation made after the account closure/status expiration will result in the loss of the seat assignment. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms. 

6. Boarding: Our Rapid Rewards® Silver, Gold and, Platinum receive a boarding benefit based on seat type and seat location. Platinum members board before Group 1 and Gold members. Gold members board before Group 1. Silver members board with Group 1.

7. Checked Bag Free: Rapid Rewards® Platinum Members receive three free checked bags. Gold Members receive two free checked bags. Silver Members only receive their first checked bag for free. Checked bag benefits do not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier. Weight and size limits apply. Additional allowances, benefits, and/or exceptions may apply. Learn more.

8. Earning Points: Silver Members will get a 40% earning bonus on every qualifying flight. Qualifying flights include flights booked and flown through Southwest® and flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers®, gift cards, vacation travel credits, or flight credits, and with no portion of the purchase price paid for with Rapid Rewards points. Gold Members will get a 60% earning bonus on every qualifying flight. Qualifying flights include flights booked and flown through Southwest® and flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers®, gift cards, vacation travel credits, or flight credits, and with no portion of the purchase price paid for with Rapid Rewards points. Platinum Members will get a 120% earning bonus on every qualifying flight. Qualifying flights include flights booked and flown through Southwest® and flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers®, gift cards, vacation travel credits, or flight credits, and with no portion of the purchase price paid for with Rapid Rewards points.

9. Priority and Express Lanes: Priority and Express Lanes, (where available), can be accessed by Choice Extra and Choice Preferred Customers and Platinum, Gold, and Silver Members. Priority Lane is located at Southwest® check-in counters, and Express Lane is at security checkpoints.

10. Priority Member Support: To receive the benefit, Tier Members must provide their Rapid Rewards account number or phone number associated with their Rapid Rewards account when contacting Southwest.11. Free same-day change/standby: Same-day change: On the day of travel, you can switch free of airline charges to another flight with space available departing on the same calendar day between the same origin airport and destination airport as your original flight. Free same-day change is only available for Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, or Choice fares. Basic fares and Rapid Rewards® Platinum, Gold and Silver Members are not eligible for free same-day change unless the Member purchases a qualifying fare.

11. Free same-day change/standby: Same-day change: On the day of travel, you can switch free of airline charges to another flight with space available departing on the same calendar day between the same origin airport and destination airport as your original flight. Free same-day change is only available for Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, or Choice fares. Basic fares and Rapid Rewards® Platinum, Gold and Silver Members are not eligible for free same-day change unless the Member purchases a qualifying fare.

Same-day standby: You can list for same-day standby on an earlier flight via a Southwest® Customer Service Agent at the airport or the Southwest app or mobile web. You will receive a message based on the contact preference selected during booking if you are cleared on the flight.

For both same-day change and same-day standby, you must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your original scheduled flight or the no-show policy will apply. If using the app or mobile web, you must make the change or list your name 60 minutes (for domestic flights) or 90 minutes (for international flights) ahead of the new flight’s scheduled departure. You will be required to pay any government taxes and fees associated with these itinerary changes, but refunds will be provided. Your original seat and boarding group is not guaranteed. Southwest® Business Customers booked through travel agencies may need to see a Southwest Agent at the airport for both a same-day change or standby listing. See Southwest.com/standby for more details.

12. Complimentary premium drink: Customers in Extra Legroom seats will be offered a complimentary premium snack (on select flights traveling 301 miles or more) and complimentary premium drinks (on select flights traveling 251 miles or more). Platinum and Gold Members seated in Preferred or Standard seats receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg. Service may be modified or limited at Southwest's® discretion. Must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Alcohol served onboard must be consumed onboard the aircraft.

Excluding Hawaii interisland flights, complimentary snacks are served on select flights 251 miles or more. If you’re flying between Hawaii and the continental U.S., you’ll have more snacks to choose from. Service may also be limited at Southwest's discretion. Alcohol purchased onboard must be consumed onboard. You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not drink alcoholic beverages because of the risk of birth defects. Images of the alcoholic beverage product do not reflect how it is actually served. In accordance with FAA regulations, Customers are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages onboard that are not served by Southwest Airlines®. Customers will not receive a beverage with a cap.

13. Companion Pass®: Companion Pass benefits allow a Member to designate one Companion to fly with the Member on Southwest®-operated flights. A Companion's reservation must be booked through Southwest. A Companion's reservation is not a purchased flight and cannot be used to book another Companion Pass reservation. A Companion Pass cannot be added to travel booked through Getaways by Southwest®, Group Travel, charter flights, Interline Itineraries, or nonrevenue travel. Member must first book and purchase their own flight before booking the Companion's flight through Southwest by choosing the Rapid Rewards® Companion Pass booking option on Southwest.com®, or by calling our toll-free reservations number at 1-800-248-4377, and notifying the Customer Representative that Rapid Rewards Companion Pass benefits will be used. The Member and the Companion must be booked on the same flights and dates. If the Member cancels, changes, or does not travel on the reservation, the Companion’s reservation will be canceled. The Member and the Companion must check in together and may be required to present Companion Pass documentation at the Southwest Ticket Counter, Skycap podium (where available), or departure gate for the Companion to travel. Valid photo identification for both Member and the Companion is required. The Member and Companion must board with their assigned boarding group(s). An ancillary purchase applies only to the Passenger for whom it is purchased. The Member is limited to one Companion at any time. After designating a Companion, the Member may receive notification of such designation. The Companion Pass benefit is not transferable. The Member may change their designated Companion up to three (3) times each calendar year. Any reservation with the current designated Companion must be cancelled before changing the designated Companion. Companion changes can be made on Southwest.com, the Southwest app, or by calling 1-800-435-9792. Allow 21 business days for processing the change of Companion. The Member's designated Companion must be an individual. An individual may not travel as both a Member and a Companion on the same flight. Corporations and other entities cannot be designated as Companions. 
Companion Pass travel has no blackout dates but is subject to availability. While there are no seat restrictions, a seat must be available on a flight for a Companion. For more information regarding Companion Pass benefits, please visit southwest.com/rapid-rewards/2027/companion-pass-changes/. 
Each Companion Pass trip is good for a one-way or round trip. Does not include taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way.

14. Milestone Rewards: Eligible Rapid Rewards® Members who achieve a Milestone may select from available Milestone Rewards depending on the applicable Milestone level. Benefit selections are final. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, expiration dates, usage restrictions, and additional terms and conditions. Visit southwest.com/rapid-rewards/guides/milestone-rewards-explained/ for complete details.

15. Inflight WiFi: Where available. Available only on WiFi-enabled designated aircraft. Free WiFi is only for Rapid Rewards® Members. $8 WiFi access is available on select aircraft only, for $8 per device from takeoff to landing. Price is subject to change. May not be available for the full duration of flight. In order to provide a top-notch Internet experience, we prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites. We also prohibit access to certain obscene or offensive content.

16. Redeem points for seat selection: Rapid Rewards® Members may redeem points for available eligible seat selections on Southwest Airlines-operated flights after booking and ticketing and prior to check-in. Available seat types and the number of points required vary by flight and are subject to change until the seat selection is completed. Points may not be used to purchase seat selections at the airport, including at kiosks or the gate. The Member must have sufficient points in their Rapid Rewards account at the time of redemption, and points will be deducted when the seat selection is confirmed. Seat selections are subject to availability. Southwest reserves the right to change, reassign, suspend, modify, or discontinue seat selections or this benefit at any time for operational, safety, security, or other business reasons. Seat selections purchased with points are non-transferable and valid only for the flight for which they were purchased. Points redeemed for a seat selection will be refunded to the Member's Rapid Rewards account if the associated flight is canceled or changed. If a Member changes to a different seat selection, the points used for the original seat selection will be refunded and the applicable point price for the new seat selection will be charged. Seat selections canceled without a corresponding flight change or cancellation are non-refundable. Only one form of payment and one Rapid Rewards account may be used per seat selection transaction. Points may not be combined with another form of payment in the same transaction. This benefit is not available on Southwest-operated flights that are part of an interline itinerary. Rapid Rewards terms and conditions apply.

17. Tier qualifying points (TQPs) 10k boost at 130k TQPs: You, as a Southwest Rapid Rewards primary Cardmember, will receive one boost of 10,000 TQPs when your TQPs balance in your Rapid Rewards account is 130,000 by 12/31/2027. The TQP boost will be deposited into your Rapid Rewards account within 30 days after you reach 130,000 TQPs posted to your Rapid Rewards account. The TQP boost will count towards Rapid Rewards tier qualification in 2027 for the remainder of 2027 and through 2028. To receive the TQP boost your credit card account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. Only one credit card account per Southwest Rapid Rewards Member is eligible for one boost of 10,000 TQPs in the year 2027. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits and services.

SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS® PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card is brought to you by Southwest Airlines® and Chase. Southwest Airlines is responsible for the redemption of Rapid Rewards® points toward benefits and services. The number of points needed for a particular Southwest flight is set by Southwest and will vary depending on destination, time, day of travel, demand, point redemption rate, and other factors and is subject to change. Rapid Rewards points can only be transferred to the primary Cardmember’s Rapid Rewards account. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms. Southwest reserves the right to amend, suspend, or change the program and/or program rules at any time without notice. Rapid Rewards Members do not acquire property rights in accrued points. The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with the permission of EMVCo, LLC.
 
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