Southwest replaces A-List with Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers

Southwest Airlines announced a sweeping overhaul of its Rapid Rewards programme on 15 October 2026. From 1 January 2027, A-List and A-List Preferred will be replaced by Silver, Gold and a new Platinum tier, and the way members earn the Companion Pass will change. The airline also named its forthcoming airport lounge network, Southwest Icon Lounges. Southwest Airlines members who rely on credit card bonuses are most affected.

New tiers and requirements

A-List becomes Silver and A-List Preferred becomes Gold, according to AeroTime and AirlineGeeks. Members can qualify through tier qualifying points (TQPs) or qualifying one-way flights. AeroTime lists the thresholds as follows:

• Silver: 35,000 TQPs or 25 flights
• Gold: 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights
• Platinum: 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights

The Points Guy notes that in 2026 Silver's equivalent needed 20 flights and Gold's needed 40 flights or 70,000 TQPs. Platinum includes unlimited Companion Pass trips and up to three free checked bags, per the same outlet. One Mile at a Time reports points bonuses of 40% for Silver, 60% for Gold and 120% for Platinum, and says Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares will earn fewer points per dollar than now.

Companion Pass changes

Southwest is retiring Companion Pass qualifying points. Under the new system, welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus points from spending and partner spending will not count towards the pass, The Points Guy reports, quoting Southwest's website. Previously 135,000 qualifying points were needed, and sign-up bonuses of 80,000 points or more helped many people get there.

Offsetting this, every Southwest credit card will earn one TQP per dollar from 1 January 2027. Cardholders reaching 130,000 TQPs in 2027 will receive a 10,000-point boost to reach Platinum. A new Milestone Reward gives three Companion Pass trips at 95,000 TQPs or 75 flights. Passes earned under the current rules in 2026 stay valid through 31 December 2027.

Partner awards and Icon Lounges

From spring 2027 members will be able to earn and redeem points with Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways. Rental car redemptions start in November 2026, and points for preferred and extra-legroom seats follow later in 2027. AeroTime says points will still not expire and awards will have no blackout dates.

The lounge network is being developed with Chase. One Mile at a Time says construction has begun on the first four lounges, at Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Honolulu and Nashville, due to open in late 2027, with at least seven more planned over several years. Access will come through a new premium Chase-issued Southwest credit card launching in 2027. AirlineGeeks quotes chief customer and brand officer Tony Roach saying each lounge will have local touches.

What this means for travellers

• Current A-List and A-List Preferred members move to Silver and Gold, and baggage and extra-legroom perks generally carry over, according to The Points Guy.
• Anyone planning to earn a Companion Pass through card sign-up bonuses should note that route closes from 2027; earning it in 2026 under the old rules still gives benefits through 2027.
• Occasional flyers may gain from earlier Milestone Rewards and partner awards on Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways.
• Lounge access details, pricing and further locations are not yet known.

Sources: AeroTime; AirlineGeeks; One Mile at a Time; One Mile at a Time (lounges); The Points Guy (Companion Pass); The Points Guy (overhaul).