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

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."

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.

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.