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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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.