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Southwest Rapid Rewards guide
Rules checked October 4, 2026
Rapid Rewards is the program of Southwest Airlines. Points depend on how much you pay and which fare type you buy, and status comes from tier qualifying points or the number of one-way flights you take in a calendar year.
At a glance
| Alliance | None |
|---|---|
| How you earn | Points per US dollar of base fare, set by fare type |
| Status currency | Tier qualifying points, or one-way flights |
| Qualifying period | The calendar year, January to December |
| Tiers | A-List, A-List Preferred, plus Companion Pass |
Points by fare type
| Fare type | Points per dollar | A-List (+25%) | A-List Preferred (+100%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2 | 2.5 | 4 |
| Choice | 6 | 7.5 | 12 |
| Choice Preferred | 10 | 12.5 | 20 |
| Choice Extra | 14 | 17.5 | 28 |
Points are earned on the base fare only, without taxes and fees. The A-List bonuses are extra points; they don't count toward status.
Status
| Tier | Tier qualifying points | Or one-way flights |
|---|---|---|
| A-List | 35,000 | 20 |
| A-List Preferred | 70,000 | 40 |
| Companion Pass | 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points | 100 |
Tier qualifying points come from flights booked through Southwest, and from Southwest's credit cards from Chase, which add 1,500 to 2,500 for each $5,000 spent, depending on the card. A one-way trip counts as one flight even with a connection. Reward flights, Companion Pass travel and some tickets bought through online travel agents don't count.
A-List gets a free checked bag, Group 1 boarding and a 25% points bonus. A-List Preferred adds a second free bag, boarding before Group 1 and a 100% bonus. Companion Pass lets one chosen person fly with you for just taxes and fees.
Alliance status
Southwest Airlines isn't in Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam, so its levels don't carry alliance status or the alliance lounge, priority and baggage benefits. Its own perks are listed on the airline's website.
Who it suits
Travelers in the United States who fly Southwest often. Southwest isn't in an airline alliance, so Rapid Rewards status doesn't carry over to other airlines.
See what a flight earns in Rapid Rewards and how far it takes you toward keeping or reaching your tier.
Open the calculator for Rapid RewardsSources: Southwest: how to earn points; Southwest: Rapid Rewards tiers; Southwest: A-List. Checked October 4, 2026.