Southwest is overhauling its frequent flyer program. Here's what's changing

Key points

• Southwest Airlines will replace its two-tier A-List and A-List Preferred loyalty program with silver, gold and platinum levels starting next year.
• The overhaul follows other changes at Southwest, including ending free checked bags and open seating, as the airline seeks more revenue.
• United Airlines also announced changes to its Mileage Plus program, dropping flight-segment earning and raising Premier 1K requirements.

Southwest Airlines is replacing its two-tier frequent flyer program with silver, gold and platinum levels beginning next year. The change is part of a broader overhaul at the carrier, which has already ended perks such as two free checked bags and open seating and now charges for some options.

The new structure is intended to increase revenue and reward Southwest's biggest spenders, according to the article. The old program classified travelers as A-List or A-List Preferred, with the latter being the higher level.

What the new tiers include

Customers can earn one Tier Qualifying Point, or TQP, for every $1 spent on Southwest co-branded credit cards with Chase. Silver status members will board in Group 1, while Gold members will board before Group 1. Platinum members will board before both Gold members and Group 1, and Platinum tier also includes unlimited Companion Pass trips.

Southwest's Companion Pass, which lets a designated person fly for free minus taxes and fees with a traveler who has the perk, is also changing. Current Companion Pass holders will keep them for the duration of their term. Starting with the 2027 earning year, Companion Pass benefits will be earned through TQPs or qualifying flights, by hitting a milestone reward or with Platinum status. Currently, a Rapid Rewards member must earn at least 135,000 qualifying points or 100 one-way flights to qualify.

If you think about A-List and A-List Preferred, we don't even have [boarding] groups A, B and C anymore. So it was time to do a refresh to somewhat incorporate all the changes to seating and all these new experiences that we've been adding.

— Tony Roach, Southwest chief customer and brand officer

Other changes and industry context

Southwest is expanding partnerships with international airlines and building its first airport lounges, named Icon, with credit card partner Chase. The carrier is building Icon lounges in four U.S. cities, with others planned. It is also adding benefits for customers between status tiers, similar to American Airlines. For example, after earning 20,000 points or taking 15 qualifying flights, customers can choose between 2,000 more Rapid Rewards points or two coupons for a preferred seat. After earning 95,000 points or taking 75 qualifying flights, customers get three Companion Pass trips.

United Airlines said Tuesday it would no longer allow customers to earn status in its Mileage Plus program based on flight segments next year and would only accept Premier qualifying points from flight spending and co-branded credit cards. United also raised the requirement for Premier 1K, its highest frequent flyer tier outside invite-only Global Services, to 32,000 qualifying points from 28,000 this year.