Southwest Airlines has announced a loyalty club prize for Christmas, more than two months away. The airline announced Rapid Rewards program improvements today.
The changes include making tier status easier to acquire, giving A-List Preferred Members up to two free premium beverages, and letting consumers pay for Southwest flights with cash and Rapid Rewards points.
"We're making our a winner Rapid Rewards program even stronger by adding fresh features to our loyalty program, making it easier for Members to earn and enjoy their benefits," said Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing.
“By lowering tier requirements and making credit card devote count double toward tier requirements, we can deepen engagement with our brand and cobranded credit cards while maintaining the core program values our Customers love—unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don't expire.”
Southwest Rapid Rewards members may obtain A-List level faster with 20 one-way qualifying flights (formerly 25) or 35,000 tier qualifying points starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Rapid Rewards members may reach A-List Preferred membership faster starting Jan. 1, 2024, by flying 40 one-way qualifying flights instead of 50 or earning 70,000 tier qualifying points.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase: Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Rapid Rewards Premier, Premier Business, Priority, and Performance Business Credit Cardmembers will receive 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent (previously $10,000) on purchases.
A-List Preferred Members can enjoy up to two free premium beverages each flight added to their mobile boarding tickets starting Nov. 6, 2023.
Rapid Rewards members can redeem cash and points for flights starting at 1,000 points in spring 2024.
The airline will introduce more nonstop alternatives during the hectic season, including travel on peak days when new time-saving nonstop service matches a complementing schedule of daily connecting or same-plane flights.