Register now to earn Southwest elite status faster
Editor's Note
If you've been chasing or are trying to requalify for Southwest elite status, listen up.
In August, we reported that Southwest launched a targeted promotion, giving select elites an easy path to re-qualify for another full year of elite status. Today, Southwest is announcing a new, major promotion that makes it easier for everyone to qualify for status next year — regardless of their current status.
With this promotion, all Rapid Rewards members can earn double tier-qualifying points (TQPs) on all flights through Nov. 30, 2021. Here are all the details you need to know.
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Southwest offering double TQPs
At the beginning of the year, Southwest unveiled its Rapid Rewards update for 2021, making it easier for flyers to qualify for status. In addition to extending 2020 status through 2021, Southwest added 15,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) and 10 qualifying one-way flight segments towards tier status for all members with accounts active as of Dec. 31, 2020.
So, you’ll effectively need to hit the following requirements to earn status for 2022:
Status | “Normal” requirements | 2021 Boost | Net effective 2021 requirements |
---|---|---|---|
A-List | 35,000 TQPs or 25 flights | 15,000 TQPs and 10 flights | 20,000 TQPs or 15 flights |
A-List Preferred | 70,000 TQPs or 50 flights | 15,000 TQPs and 10 flights | 55,000 TQPs or 40 flights |
Now, Southwest is making it even easier to meet these requirements by offering double TQPs on all flights from Sept. 3 through Nov. 30, 2021.
In other words, you can effectively reach A-List status by earning just 10,000 TQPs over the next three months.
As mentioned, this promotion is open to all Rapid Rewards members — regardless of status. However, you must register here prior to booking and commencing travel. In other words, existing bookings do not qualify for this promotion.
Keep in mind, tier-qualifying points are not redeemable for award travel, but they do count toward A-List and A-List Preferred qualifications. There's no maximum number of points you can earn with this promotion.
Related: All of the elite qualification changes you need to know about this year
Bottom line
Southwest is offering double TQPs for flights through the end of November, making it even easier to earn A-List or A-List Preferred status. This promotion is open to everyone, but advance registration is required. Only new bookings qualify so make sure you're registered before booking any new flights.
Keep in mind, for 2021, cobranded Southwest credit cardholders can also earn 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 spent using an eligible card.
In late July, Delta announced that it would automatically extend all current elite statuses through Jan. 31, 2023. However, no other U.S. carriers have followed suit yet.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023