Southwest Airlines' overhaul continues with a revamp of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program.
On Thursday in Dallas, the low-cost carrier revealed plans for new benefits, expanded redemption options and premium experiences designed to bring frequent fliers more value in 2027 and beyond.
Beginning January 1, 2027, Southwest will introduce a new three-tier structure, including Silver, Gold and Platinum. A-List will become Silver and A-List Preferred will become Gold, while Platinum status will sit above the two and include unlimited Companion Pass trips.
What's more, with new Milestone Rewards, members can earn rewards even before they reach a new tier. For example, members can select rewards like Rapid Rewards points or seat certificates before they reach Silver status and, between Gold and Platinum, Rapid Rewards members can qualify to receive as many as three Companion Pass trips.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will have a faster path to tier status starting next year, with those travelers earning a tier qualifying point for every dollar spent on purchases with their card.
Members will also be able to earn and redeem Rapid Rewards points for travel through new international airline loyalty partnerships beginning in spring 2027. Eligible partner carriers will include Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways initially.
Additionally, Southwest will allow loyal customers to use points for seat selection on Southwest-operated flights, including Extra Legroom and Preferred seats later in 2027.
Rapid Rewards members can also look forward to fleetwide Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity by fall 2027 and the debut of the all-new Southwest Icon Lounge network, which is currently being developed in partnership with Chase.
"Rapid Rewards was built on a simple idea: make it easy for Customers to earn and use rewards. As our Members engage more with Southwest, they’ve told us they want Rapid Rewards to reward them in more meaningful ways, whether they’re working toward status or using the points they’ve earned," Nandika Suri, Vice President of Rapid Rewards at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement.
"These updates build on that feedback by rewarding Members throughout their Southwest experience, while keeping the simplicity and value that have always set our program apart."
The soonest enhancement to Rapid Rewards allows members to redeem points for rental cars across all participating car rental partners directly through cars.southwest.com, starting next month.
Visit southwest.com/rapid-rewards/2027 to learn more.
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