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Southwest makes earning elite status easier with elite earning on award flights, double tier points

Sept. 21, 2022
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3 min read
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Southwest makes earning elite status easier with elite earning on award flights, double tier points
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Calling all Southwest Rapid Rewards members: There's a three-prong limited-time status accelerator promotion for Rapid Rewards customers, making it easier to earn tier status through 2023.

As of Sept. 21, Southwest is applying reward flight segments earned since Jan. 1, 2022, toward A-List or A-List Preferred elite status segment requirements. Plus, Southwest loyalty members will temporarily earn flight segment credits for qualifying award travel purchased through November, in addition to earning double tier qualifying points, the Dallas-based airline announced Wednesday.

To register for this limited-time offer, log in to your Rapid Rewards account and search for the Reward Travel Counts promotion under "All promotions."

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

To qualify for two of the three status opportunities, Rapid Rewards members must first register online for qualifying travel through Nov. 30.

The first opportunity is to earn flight segment credits — which will count toward A-List or A-List Preferred tier status for 2023 — which are applicable on all flights booked using Rapid Rewards points, Sept. 21-Nov. 30. Expect to see the flight segments in your account online within 72 hours of flight completion.

Secondly, members who register for this promotion and purchase qualifying flights can earn double tier qualifying points toward tier status for next year; this applies to all flights taken now through the end of November.

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Read more: 10 easy ways to earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points

The final part of today's promotion does not require Rapid Rewards members to register. Members may have noticed that qualifying reward flight segments were automatically added to their tier progress on Sept. 13. This is thanks to the airline's announcement that it would apply reward flight segments toward tier status segment requirements for all flights, Jan. 1-Sept. 19.

To ensure your reward flight segments went to your account, go to the "My Account" tab, "My Rapid Rewards" and click on "View Status Details."

Bottom line

This is good news for Southwest flyers attempting to reach the carrier's version of elite status by 2023. As a reminder, A-Listers are entitled to an additional 25% Rapid Rewards points-earning bonus on qualifying flights; they can also benefit from same-day confirmed changes with no fare difference (pending seat availability) as well as priority check-in and boarding for everyone on their reservation, among other perks. A-List Preferred members receive all of those but earn 100% additional points on qualifying flights plus free inflight Wi-Fi.

Flyers can earn A-List Preferred status with 50 one-way qualifying flights or 70,000 qualifying points. You must fly 25 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 qualifying points for A-List status, in a calendar year.

Be sure to register online to take advantage of this limited-time promo to help expedite your SWA status goals for next year.

Featured image by PAUL BERSEBACH/MEDIANEWSGROUP/ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/GETTY IMAGES
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

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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.