Register now for Southwest's new promotion that makes earning elite status easier
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
TPG featured card
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
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- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees