Southwest provides points; extends elite status and Companion Pass for select travelers
Southwest Airlines had a rough end to 2022 as it canceled thousands of flights around the Christmas holidays and suffered what could be the largest operational meltdown in its history.
Now the carrier is extending olive branches to several groups of affected flyers. Besides offering refunds to travelers, Southwest is also giving points to select travelers and extending the qualification period (and for select travelers, the benefit period) for A-List elite status and Companion Pass. Some of this news was first reported by Thrifty Traveler and View from the Wing.
Here's what you need to know.
25,000 Southwest points as an apology
On Jan. 3, 2023, some Southwest members reported receiving an email entitled "A message from Southwest CEO Bob Jordan." Several TPG staffers received this email, including senior reporter Zach Griff, who was traveling as a group of four over the holidays. Here's a screenshot of the email Zach received:
Zach received codes for each of the four travelers in his party. Each of the 25,000-point codes is worth about $375 based on TPG's valuations. Zach said he got codes for 25,000 bonus points per passenger in addition to:
- Full refund for the canceled flights.
- $250 per traveler Southwest travel credits.
- Refund for last-minute replacement flights on Hawaiian Airlines.
It's unclear how Southwest decides which passengers get these emails with codes. But, we suspect that Southwest may still be in the process of sending these emails. And it seems you may get the email even if you already accepted travel credits, refunds and expense reimbursements. So, if your travel was affected by Southwest's holiday operational issues and you haven't gotten an email yet, keep checking.
Related: How to redeem points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program
A-List and Companion Pass extensions
Some Southwest members whose Companion Pass, A-List or A-List Preferred status expired on Dec. 31, 2022, received an email about an extension. A Southwest spokesperson told TPG, "Members who were either impacted by or at risk of being impacted by the operational challenges received an email last week."
The spokesperson went on to state:
"For our Members, A-List, A-List Preferred and Companion Pass Members that had not yet qualified or requalified for A-List, A-List Preferred or Companion Pass for 2023, we have extended the date by which they must requalify from the end of December, (as is typical every year) to the end of January 2023."
So, Southwest is extending the qualification period through Jan. 31, 2023, for all members who hadn't yet qualified or requalified for Southwest elite status or Companion Pass by the end of 2022.
Although Southwest is extending the qualification period for all members, only select travelers will get their A-List, A-List Preferred and Companion Pass benefits extended through Jan. 31, 2023.
However, my Companion Pass expired at the end of 2022, and I didn't get an email about an extension, nor do I see an extended Companion Pass in my account.
I asked Southwest about this and got the following response:
"If you had the Companion Pass in 2022 and were impacted during our operational event, then your status should be extended to Jan. 31. When you go to make a booking in January, you should be able to see and have the ability to add your companion."
As such, Southwest is only extending elite status and Companion Pass benefits through Jan. 31, 2023, for travelers affected by the airline's holiday operational issues.
However, note that Southwest phone agents have given some travelers conflicting information. TPG's Emily Thompson didn't have any holiday travel booked with Southwest, yet multiple Southwest phone agents told her that her Companion Pass, which expired at the end of 2022, would be extended through January 2023. Both agents explained that the extension would take a few days to appear in all eligible accounts.
A Southwest spokesperson told us that only those who had travel affected by the operational meltdown would see elite status and Companion Pass extensions. So if you didn't have any bookings to travel with Southwest during the affected period and don't see an extension in your account, you'll likely only get an extension of your qualification period (not your benefit period).
Related: Wondering what happened to your favorite Southwest route? Here's what to know
How does the elite-qualification extension affect Companion Pass earning?
All Southwest members who didn't qualify for a Companion Pass by the end of 2022 will have extra time to earn a Companion Pass valid through the end of 2023. If you were relying on flights or other activities at the end of 2022 to earn a Companion Pass, you now have until the end of Jan. 31, 2023, to reach the qualification requirements.
You might wonder what this extension means if you were looking to earn a Companion Pass valid through the end of 2024 by earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in early 2023. Southwest confirmed to AwardWallet that "all earning activity in January 2023 will also count toward your 2024 Companion Pass (earned in 2023, valid through 2024)."
If you're looking to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass, now's a good time to earn the sign-up bonus on any new Southwest credit cards you may have opened at the end of 2022.
Bottom line
While there's no way to make up for lost time with friends and family during the holidays, it's great that Southwest is offering refunds, bonus points and status extensions to passengers affected by its operational meltdown. It's the right thing for the airline to do after wrecking many travel plans over the holidays.
However, it's disappointing that Southwest's phone agents gave some travelers incorrect information. These travelers presumably called in after reading other websites reporting that Southwest would extend elite status and Companion Pass for all members. However, a Southwest spokesperson told TPG the airline was only extending elite status and Companion Pass benefits for travelers affected by Southwest's operational issues over the holidays.
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Annual Fee
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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
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.