Southwest Rapid Rewards overhaul: Companion Pass changes in 2027

Southwest Airlines announced a major overhaul of its Rapid Rewards loyalty programme on Thursday, with the new rules taking effect on 1 January 2027. According to The Points Guy, the changes rename status tiers, merge the points used to earn status and the Companion Pass, and restrict the unlimited Companion Pass to a new top tier called Platinum. Frequent flyers who have focused on status or the Companion Pass are affected most.

How status tiers change

The Points Guy reports that current members will finish 2026 under the familiar programme. Those who earn A-List status in 2026 become Silver for all of 2027, and those who earn A-List Preferred become Gold. No action is required for that transition.

Platinum is the only genuinely new status, and it now carries the unlimited Companion Pass. According to The Points Guy, nobody will start 2027 with Platinum; it must be earned under the new rules. Modified earning rules will also change the route to Silver and Gold status for 2028.

Companion Pass and Tier Qualifying Points

Southwest currently uses three kinds of Rapid Rewards points: those redeemable for flights, those that also count towards A-List and A-List Preferred, and those that also count towards the Companion Pass. The Points Guy says the last two categories merge into a single type, Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs). These, along with a set number of one-way flights, are the main route to status, including Platinum.

The programme also adds "Milestone Rewards" between tiers. Under the new rules, members who earn 95,000 TQPs or fly 75 qualifying one-way flights can unlock three Companion Pass trips, each of which can cover a round-trip itinerary. The Points Guy notes this gives some limited Companion Pass value to people who do not reach Platinum, but concludes that points and miles enthusiasts focused on status or the pass are "mostly losers" under the new playbook. One Mile at a Time also described the changes as "huge" in its weekly review.

Perks and earning rates

According to The Points Guy, perks such as free checked bags, early boarding and free seat assignments stay constant at comparable tiers. Earning bonuses on flight purchases change, however:

• Silver members receive a 40% bonus, up from the 25% A-List received.
• Gold members receive 60%, down from the 100% A-List Preferred received.
• Choice Preferred fares earn 8 points per dollar, down from 10x.
• Choice Extra fares earn 10 points per dollar, down from 14x.

The Points Guy calculates that a Gold member buying Choice Extra would earn 16 points per dollar from 2028, against 28 for an A-List Preferred member today, about 57% of previous earnings. Southwest says members who earn A-List Preferred for 2027 based on 2026 activity keep their 100% bonus through 31 December 2027.

What this means for travellers

• Members who earn status in 2026 will carry equivalent status into 2027 without doing anything.
• Those aiming for an unlimited Companion Pass will need to earn Platinum under the 2027 rules; it cannot be held from the start of the year.
• Travellers who fall short of Platinum may still reach three Companion Pass trips at 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights.
• Frequent buyers of Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares should expect lower earnings, while those buying cheaper fares with Silver status may do slightly better.
• The Points Guy says some travellers can take steps now to lock in perks before the change, but the excerpt available does not detail them. Members should check Southwest's own programme pages for the full rules, including the Platinum threshold.

Sources: The Points Guy; One Mile at a Time. More on the carrier is on our Southwest Airlines page.