Southwest Airlines Unveils Major 2027 Loyalty Shake Up with New Silver, Gold and Platinum Tiers: What Changes for Flyers

Southwest Airlines is preparing to transform its Rapid Rewards loyalty programme from 1 January 2027, introducing three membership levels Silver, Gold and Platinum alongside new rewards, additional baggage benefits and more flexible Companion Pass opportunities. Announced on 15 October 2026, the changes will replace the existing A-List and A-List Preferred levels with Silver and Gold, while Platinum becomes the airline’s highest loyalty tier. Members will be able to qualify through eligible flights or Tier Qualifying Points, with Platinum offering unlimited Companion Pass trips. The programme will also introduce milestone rewards, revised credit card earning opportunities and new ways to redeem points for international travel.

Southwest Replaces A-List and A-List Preferred with Silver and Gold Membership

Southwest’s new loyalty structure will begin on 1 January 2027, replacing its existing two-tier system with three levels. A-List members who qualify for 2027 status through their 2026 activity will automatically become Silver members. A-List Preferred members will move to Gold. The newly introduced Platinum tier will sit above both categories, offering additional travel benefits for frequent flyers.

Members will continue to qualify through Tier Qualifying Points, commonly called TQPs, or qualifying one-way flights. Southwest has also confirmed that Rapid Rewards points will continue to have no expiry date, while eligible flight redemptions will remain available without blackout dates.

Southwest Rapid Rewards 2027: Official Silver, Gold and Platinum Benefits

The airline has published the following qualification requirements and membership benefits.

Membership feature	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Previous equivalent	A-List	A-List Preferred	New membership tier
Required TQPs	35,000	65,000	140,000
Qualifying one-way flights	25	50	100
Free checked bags	1	Up to 2	Up to 3
Boarding	Group 1	Before Group 1	Before Gold and Group 1
Standard or Preferred seating	Included when available	Included	Included
Extra Legroom seating	Upgrade within 48 hours when available	Available at booking	Available at booking
Points-earning bonus	40%	60%	120%
Priority airport lanes	Included	Included	Included
Priority customer support	Included	Included	Included
Same-day standby	Included	Included	Included
Complimentary premium drinks	Not listed	Two per eligible flight	Two per eligible flight
Unlimited Companion Pass trips	No	No	Yes

Source: Southwest Airlines, Rapid Rewards 2027 official membership comparison. Benefits remain subject to availability and programme conditions.

New Platinum Membership Brings Unlimited Companion Pass Benefits

The introduction of Platinum is one of the most significant changes to Southwest’s loyalty programme. Members must earn 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or complete 100 qualifying one-way flights during the calendar year to obtain Platinum status. The airline will provide unlimited Companion Pass trips, allowing qualifying members to designate a companion who can accompany them on eligible Southwest-operated flights.

Companion travel remains subject to seat availability, applicable taxes and the programme’s booking conditions. Platinum members will also receive up to three complimentary checked bags, premium seating opportunities, priority airport services and a 120% bonus on qualifying flight points. The new category is designed for travellers who use Southwest frequently and seek additional flexibility when travelling with a companion.

Silver and Gold Members Receive New Travel Benefits and Higher Points Bonuses

Silver status will require 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying flights. Members will receive one complimentary checked bag, Group 1 boarding and a 40% points-earning bonus. Silver members can also select available Standard or Preferred seats when booking and request an Extra Legroom upgrade within 48 hours of departure, subject to availability.

Gold status will require 65,000 TQPs or 50 qualifying flights. Gold members will receive up to two complimentary checked bags, boarding before Group 1 and a 60% points-earning bonus. They will also be eligible to select available Extra Legroom seating at booking and receive two complimentary premium drinks on qualifying flights.

Southwest Introduces Milestone Rewards Before Members Reach Higher Status

The airline is introducing rewards that members can earn while progressing towards their next loyalty tier. The first milestone will be available after earning 20,000 TQPs or completing 15 qualifying one-way flights. Eligible members can choose between 2,000 Rapid Rewards points and two Preferred Seat Certificates.

The second milestone will become available after earning 95,000 TQPs or completing 75 qualifying flights. Members reaching this threshold will receive three Companion Pass trips, with each trip covering an eligible one-way or return itinerary.

Official Southwest Loyalty Qualification and Milestone Table

Qualification requirement	Alternative qualifying flights	Reward
20,000 TQPs	15	2,000 points or two Preferred Seat Certificates
35,000 TQPs	25	Silver membership
65,000 TQPs	50	Gold membership
95,000 TQPs	75	Three Companion Pass trips
140,000 TQPs	100	Platinum membership and unlimited Companion Pass trips

Source: Southwest Airlines, 2027 Rapid Rewards Milestone Rewards and Membership Requirements.

Southwest Credit Card Spending Will Count Towards Loyalty Status in 2027

Southwest is introducing a simpler way for Rapid Rewards credit card holders to earn membership status. From 1 January 2027, eligible spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards issued by Chase will earn one Tier Qualifying Point for every US dollar spent.

The arrangement will apply across eligible Rapid Rewards credit card products, including the Plus card. The airline has also announced a special 2027 qualification benefit. Eligible cardmembers reaching 130,000 TQPs during the calendar year will receive an additional 10,000-TQP boost, helping them qualify for Platinum. Qualification remains subject to the airline’s official programme conditions.

Companion Pass Qualification Changes as Southwest Introduces One Points Currency

Southwest will retire Companion Pass qualifying points as a separate qualification currency when the new structure begins in January 2027. Tier Qualifying Points will become the principal points-based qualification measure for membership tiers, milestone rewards and Companion Pass benefits. Qualifying flights will remain an alternative route.

Members who earned Companion Pass under the existing 2026 rules will retain their benefits for their applicable validity period, including eligible travel through 31 December 2027. This means existing benefits will not disappear simply because the loyalty programme changes its structure.

International Airline Partnerships Expand Rapid Rewards Opportunities

Southwest also plans to expand international loyalty redemptions during spring 2027. The first announced partners are Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways. These agreements will allow eligible Rapid Rewards members to earn and redeem points through participating international airline partnerships.

Potential destinations include Reykjavik, Paris, Taipei, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg, depending on available partner itineraries.The agreements do not mean Southwest itself will operate flights to these international destinations.

Southwest Announces Additional Points Redemption Options and Airport Benefits

The airline is also introducing new ways for members to spend their accumulated points. From mid-November 2026, Rapid Rewards members are expected to be able to redeem points for car rentals through participating partners.

During 2027, members will gain the ability to use points for available Preferred and Extra Legroom seat selections after booking. Southwest is also developing its first airport lounge network, known as Southwest Icon Lounge, with initial openings targeted for late 2027. The airline is preparing a new premium credit card with lounge-access benefits, while fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi installation is targeted for autumn 2027.

Southwest Airlines: Upcoming Loyalty Changes and Implementation Dates

Date	Announced development
Mid-November 2026	Rental-car redemptions using Rapid Rewards points
31 December 2026	Final day before Companion Pass qualifying points are retired
1 January 2027	Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers begin
1 January 2027	New milestone rewards and TQP earning rules
Spring 2027	International loyalty partnerships begin rolling out
Late 2027	Points redemption for premium seat selection
Late 2027	First Southwest Icon Lounges targeted to open
Autumn 2027	Fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi installation targeted

Dates for future products represent Southwest’s published plans and may change.

Southwest’s New Loyalty Programme Signals a Major Shift in Passenger Rewards

Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards changes represent a significant restructuring of how members earn and use travel benefits. The introduction of Platinum status, expanded Companion Pass opportunities and new milestone rewards gives frequent travellers additional ways to receive benefits.

Meanwhile, revised credit card earning rules and international airline partnerships will create more opportunities to earn and spend points.For leisure travellers, families, corporate passengers and travel agencies, the most important date is 1 January 2027, when the new membership structure takes effect. As Southwest prepares for further premium travel developments, its revised loyalty programme will become a central part of the airline’s passenger experience throughout 2027.

Image: Southwest Airlines

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