Targeted: Southwest makes it easier for some to requalify for elite status
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.
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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" requirements | 2021 Boost | Net 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."
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!"
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.