Southwest Airlines announced on October 15 what it calls "the next evolution" of Rapid Rewards. It is the biggest change to the program since the airline started moving away from its old open-seating model. Most changes take effect January 1, 2027.
The new tiers
According to Southwest's 2027 program page:
| Tier (2027) | Replaces | Qualification | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | A-List | 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying flights | Group 1 boarding, 1 free checked bag, 40% earning bonus, Preferred/Standard seat at booking |
| Gold | A-List Preferred | 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights | Any seat at booking incl. Extra Legroom, up to 2 free bags, 60% bonus, two premium drinks |
| Platinum | New | 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights | Unlimited Companion Pass trips, boards before Gold, up to 3 free bags, 120% bonus |
Southwest says Rapid Rewards will keep no blackout dates, points that don't expire, and two ways to qualify for status: TQPs or flights.
Milestone rewards and faster status for cardholders
- Milestone Rewards: Starting in January 2027, members will earn rewards on the way to the next tier. Before reaching Silver, they can choose rewards such as points or seat certificates. Between Gold and Platinum, they can qualify for three Companion Pass trips.
- Card spend counts toward status: Every Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, including Plus cardmembers, will earn one TQP per dollar spent on a Chase Rapid Rewards card.
New ways to use points
- International partners (Spring 2027): Members will be able to earn and redeem points with Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad Airways. Southwest mentions trips "from Reykjavik to Paris, Taipei to Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg."
- Rental cars (November 2026): Points can be used for rental cars from all participating partners at cars.southwest.com.
- Seats (later in 2027): Points can be used for seat selection on Southwest-operated flights, including Extra Legroom and Preferred seats.
Southwest Icon Lounge
Southwest's planned lounge network now has a name: Southwest Icon Lounge. It is being built with Chase. The first four locations are Austin (AUS), Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Honolulu (HNL) and Nashville (BNA), opening starting in late 2027. Southwest says at least seven more are planned over the next several years. The airline describes the lounges as drawing on "the success of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network."
Access will come from a new premium Southwest card issued by Chase, launching in 2027. Southwest has not announced the card's annual fee or full access rules. "We'll share additional details as they become available," the airline says.
What people are saying on X
Much of the reaction was about the international partners:
"The partner part is the sleeper here," MaxUrPoints wrote, noting that Southwest points "finally reach Europe, Asia and the Gulf." Others were less excited. One traveler posted: "the status game is rigged, the fare game isn't." Miles to Memories' coverage, shared by BoardingArea, ran under a headline that included "Bad New[s] for Companion Pass." Read the fine print on Companion Pass qualification before you make plans around it.
The Points Frog take
Unlimited Companion Pass trips at Platinum is a strong benefit, but 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights is a high bar. For most Southwest flyers, the bigger news is that card spend earning TQPs gives them a realistic path to Silver or Gold. The lounges and premium card are still more than a year out, and the card's fee will decide whether Icon Lounge access is worth it.
Sources
- Southwest press release (Oct. 15, 2026): https://investors.southwest.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1946/more-to-love-from-rapid-rewards-southwest-airlines-expands-rewards-redemption-and-member-benefits
- Southwest 2027 changes: https://www.southwest.com/rapid-rewards/2027/whats-changing/
- Southwest Icon Lounge: https://www.southwest.com/rapid-rewards/lounges/
- CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/15/southwest-rapid-rewards-tiers-a-list.html