Southwest guts iconic rewards program — and free…
Southwest is overhauling its most fashionable rewards perk — and it’s a lot to unpack.
Starting on Jan. 1, the fashionable airline shall be altering the phrases of its Rapid Rewards program — a longtime favourite where vacationers scored free flights utilizing the Companion Pass.
The move was said to be one of the best in the biz as vacationers may earn 135,000 factors and then rating a designated companion on eligible Southwest flights — with no further cost.
But come next 12 months, getting free flights shall be a real pain in the move.
Starting on Jan. 1, the favored airline shall be altering the phrases of its Rapid Rewards program
Southwest has announced a change to its program as three new membership tiers shall be rolled out — which can change how vacationers qualify for Companion Pass perk.
The Texas-based airline is touting the adjustments as alternatives to earn, stating in a press release, “Southwest Rapid Rewards is becoming even more rewarding with perks and a simpler qualification structure for status and Companion Pass benefits.”
But prospects aren’t shopping for it.
The funds airline will swap its A-List and A-List Preferred ranges with Silver and Gold, and add a new Platinum tier. This means, Silver will now substitute A-List while Gold will substitute A-List Preferred.
The new Platinum will embody the limitless Companion Pass journeys — but the way in which to rating the move will require passengers to spend more. Previously, vacationers may earn the coveted Companion Pass by incomes 135,000 eligible factors in one calendar 12 months — this included qualifying credit card welcome bonuses.
Once the change comes into drive, bonuses will no longer rely toward necessities. Instead, the airline said purchases made with Southwest Rapid Rewards credit playing cards will earn one Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) for every greenback spent.
The manner to rating the Companion Pss will require passengers to spend more Getty Images
The math could also be simpler — but the perks are more tough. Customers who once signed up for the program only to rating factors for the move will no longer have the option to do that.
If you might be already a Companion Pass holder, nothing will change for you today — but make sure to examine your expiration date as qualifying passes earned in 2026 will stay legitimate through December 31, 2027.
While there are other methods to earn factors and rewards, vacationers and Southwest diehards are completely gutted. One X person posted the new rewards system was “the end of an era.”
“RIP to the best deal in travel: Southwest is effectively gutting the Companion Pass – or the best way to earn it, anyway,” the post read. “Starting Jan. 1, welcome bonuses on new credit cards no longer count toward earning unlimited BOGO flights. You’ll have to fly Southwest, spend ($140K!) on a Southwest card a year, or some combination of the two.”
Another wrote, “They keep finding ways to turn customers away.”
So what can vacationers look ahead to? Southwest will now dole out a 10,000-TQP bump once cardholders attain 130,000 TQPs. The airline says the new factors enhance will get vacationers nearer to the specified 140,000 Platinum standing.
Regardless of where you stand, it may be a good thought to grab the cheaper price before it flies away for good.
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