Southwest Airlines passengers would be wise to sign up for their free frequent flyer scheme - Rapid Rewards. Like other airlines' loyalty programmes, passengers earn points in several ways. While purchasing airfare is the most common, customers can also rack up miles by shopping with one of Southwest’s credit cards, eating at specific restaurants, taking surveys and, in some cases, changing electricity providers.

Points can then be redeemed on flights and services provided by Southwest’s Partners. While options such as experience days and gift cards exist, the value of the miles is generally skewed to make spending them on airfare the only realistic option.

Passengers who fly enough in one year can become eligible for A-List status. Once this has been achieved, customers can take advantage of various benefits without spending their hard-earned miles. To do this, Rapid Rewards members need to rack up ‘tier qualifying points, ’ which are points gained from spending on a Southwest credit card or booking flights only. There are two different types of A-List status

A-List

Eligibility - 35,000 tier qualifying points or 25 eligible qualifying one-way flights in one year

Perks
 Early check-in
 Quick boarding
 Free standby
 25% more points per flight

A-List Preferred

Eligibility - 35,000 tier qualifying points or 25 eligible qualifying one-way flights in one year

Perks
 Early check-in
 Quick boarding
 Free standby
 Double points earned per flight
 Free Wi-Fi on flight

Southwest also offer a companion pass, which becomes available after racking up 125,000 points or flying 100 qualifying flights. The companion pass allows eligible passengers to bring a guest on certain flights free-of-charge, minus small fees like tax.

Southwest Airlines has four different fare classes:

Wanna Get Away

 One carry-on + one personal item
 Two checked-in bags
 Cancelled flights reimbursed as flight credit
 Last to board
 Standard seating
 Six points earned per dollar

Wanna Get Away +

 One carry-on + one personal item
 Two checked-in bags
 Cancelled flights reimbursed as flight credit
 Last to board
 Standard seating
 Transferable flight credit
 Same-day confirmed change
 Same-day standby list
 Eight points earned per dollar spent

Anytime

 One carry-on + one personal item
 Two checked-in bags
 Refundable flights
 Priority check-in
 General boarding
 Standard seating
 Transferable flight credit
 Same-day confirmed change
 Same-day standby list
 10 points earned per dollar spent


Business Select

 One carry-on + one personal item
 Two checked-in bags
 Refundable flights
 Priority check-in
 Priority boarding
 Standard seating
 Transferable flight credit
 Same-day confirmed change
 Same-day standby list
 12 points earned per dollar spent
 Complimentary alcoholic drinks