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Targeted: Southwest makes it easier for some to requalify for elite status

Aug. 20, 2021
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3 min read
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Targeted: Southwest makes it easier for some to requalify for elite status
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Do you currently hold elite status with Southwest? If so, check your email because you may have been targeted for a special offer to extend it.

TPG reader Aalap Shah reached out to us to share that Southwest is offering them an easy path to re-qualify for another full year of elite status. As of now, it appears that there are only shortcuts to requalify for A-List status and A-List Preferred, not the Companion Pass. Here are all the details you need to know.

Requalify for A-List status faster

At the beginning of the year, Southwest unveiled its Rapid Rewards update for 2021, making it easier for flyers to qualify for status. In addition to extending 2020 status through 2021, Southwest added 15,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) and 10 qualifying one-way flight segments towards tier status for all members with accounts active as of Dec. 31, 2020.

So, you'll effectively need to hit the following requirements to earn status for 2022:

Status"Normal" requirements2021 BoostNet effective 2021 requirements
A-List
35,000 TQPs or 25 flights
15,000 TQPs and 10 flights
20,000 TQPs or 15 flights
A-List Preferred
70,000 TQPs or 50 flights
15,000 TQPs and 10 flights
55,000 TQPs or 40 flights

On top of that, Southwest is now offering some A-List and A-List Preferred members to requalify quicker. Targeted members simply need two fly qualifying round trip flights (or four qualifying one-way flights) between Aug. 19 and Nov. 19, 2021, to keep their status through Dec. 31, 2022. There's no minimum spend requirement. Even better, this offer applied to all flights taken during the promotional period, regardless of when they were booked or if they were booked with points or cash.

There's no registration required, but again, this offer is targeted. The terms and conditions of the offer state, "Only the Rapid Rewards Member who received this email/offer from Southwest Airlines® is eligible for this promotion."

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Related: All of the elite qualification changes you need to know about this year

Based on the email that was sent to a TPG reader, it appears that Southwest isn't just targeting those who don't have any travel planned. The email notes, "We took a look and as of Aug. 12 you have enough eligible flights booked to receive this promotion! Once you've completed travel, A-List status is all yours through 2022!"

Southwest A List extention offer
(Screenshot courtesy of Southwest)

Bottom line

Southwest is making it even easier for some A-List and A-List Preferred elite members to requalify for status. The requirements for this promotion should be fairly easy to meet, especially considering award travel counts, but it's important to remember that not all elites are targeted. As of now, it's unclear if Southwest is sending out similar offers to Companion Pass members.

Keep in mind, for 2021, co-branded Southwest credit cardholders can also earn 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 spent using an eligible card.

By comparison, in late July, Delta announced that it would automatically extend all current elite statuses through Jan. 31, 2023. However, no other U.S. carriers have followed suit yet.

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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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)

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  • 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.