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Register now for Southwest's new promotion that makes earning elite status easier

March 02, 2023
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4 min read
Southwest Boeing 737
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If you are trying to earn Southwest elite status this year, you'll be happy to learn that Southwest Rapid Rewards is now offering a new promotion. This promotion makes earning Southwest status easier by offering bonus tier-qualifying points and qualifying flights on select activities between March 1 and May 31.

As a reminder, Southwest A-List status requires you to fly 25 qualifying flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points per calendar year. Southwest A-List Preferred status requires you to fly 50 qualifying flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points per calendar year.

This new Southwest promotion is only helpful for earning Southwest elite status — you won't earn extra Southwest points that you can redeem for flights through this promotion. Southwest offered a similar promotion last year, but here's what you need to know about this promotion (which was first reported by One Mile at a Time).

Details of this promotion

Southwest plane
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

This new Southwest promotion lets you register once and then enjoy three ways to earn more tier-qualifying points and qualifying flights toward A-List or A-List Preferred status.

Here's a look at the three ways you can earn bonus tier-qualifying points and flights after registering for this promotion:

  • Earn double tier-qualifying points on all qualifying flights when you register, book and fly between March 1 and May 31.
  • Reward travel counts toward elite status when you register, book and fly between March 1 and May 31. Specifically, you'll earn tier-qualifying flights and get 10% of the Southwest points you redeemed as tier-qualifying points.
  • Earn 3,000 bonus tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 you spend with any Rapid Rewards credit card from March 1 to May 31.

Related: The best Southwest Airlines credit cards

Southwest says the bonus tier-qualifying points from these three promotions will post before June 30. But the terms and conditions of the promotion provide more guidance:

  • Double tier-qualifying points from flights should appear in your account within 72 hours of your flight.
  • Flight segment credit should post to your account for award flights within 10 days of your flight.
  • Bonus tier-qualifying points from credit card spending should post to your account four weeks after the end of the promotion.
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Note: For the first two bonus-earning methods, you must register for the promotion then book and fly between March 1 and May 31. So, only new flights that you book after registering for this promotion will qualify.

Finally, the promotion doesn't mention the Southwest Companion Pass or Companion Pass qualifying points. So, I expect the extra tier-qualifying points you can earn through this promotion won't be Companion Pass qualifying.

Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards

How to register for Southwest promotions

If this promotion sounds useful, go to Southwest's website to check whether you are eligible (and register if so). To find the promotion, log in to your Southwest account and navigate to your account homepage. Scroll down and check the 'My promotions' area on the left-hand side of the page.

Southwest promotions
SOUTHWEST.COM

You might see the 'Register once for more ways to earn toward A-List or A-List Preferred status' promotion. Click 'Register' to learn more about the promotion. You'll still need to click 'Register now' to register for the promotion.

Southwest promotions
SOUTHWEST.COM

Related: Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards

Bottom line

If you're striving to earn or requalify for Southwest Airlines elite status this year, check whether you are eligible for this promotion (and register if so). Once you register, consider booking new flights for travel during the promotion.

Likewise, you may want to spend more on your Southwest credit card during the promotion; doing so could let you earn threshold bonuses on top of the tier-qualifying points you already earn on your spending. If you want to add a new Southwest credit card to your wallet, look at the current Southwest card offers to pick the best card.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.