It seems that the devaluating of airline rewards programs is becalming more common in todays day and age. With airlines rolling back milage valuations and elite member benefits, enhancements to rewards programs are almost unheard of. Southwest Airlines is making welcome changes to their Rapid Rewards program. Exciting changes starting in 2024 include lowering flight requirements and Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card spend to reach A-List and A-List Preferred status along with some other changes.
Five Major Rapid Rewards Improvements
Beginning in 2024, Southwest Airlines will implement five major improvements to the Rapid Rewards program:
1) One of the biggest changes will be for the requirements needed to earn Southwest’s elite tier, A-List. Currently, to reach A-List Status passengers need to fly 25 qualifying flight segments. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Southwest Rapid Rewards members will only need to fly 20 one-way qualifying flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points.
2) Starting early 2024, it will become easier and faster to earn A-List Preferred status. Rapid Rewards members can earn A-List Preferred by flying 40 one way qualifying flights as opposed to the current 50 required flights.
3) The third biggest change coming to the program will benefit Southwest Airlines credit card holders. Card holders will be able to accrue 1,500 tier qualifying points per every $5,000 spent compared to the previous spend requirement of $10,000.
4) Starting Spring 2024, it will be possible for Rapid Rewards members to have have the option to pay for their flight with a combination of cash and point. This will be possible with as few as 1,000 points.
5) Once onboard the aircraft A-List Preferred Members can receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per flight, imputed directly to their mobile boarding passes beginning November 2023.
Southwest Airlines has had a rough start in 2023 following their catastrophic winter meltdown. As the airline has made improvements toward ensuring continuous reliable operations, the already robust Rapid Rewards program which includes no blackout dates, and points don’t expire will further improve with the aforementioned five improvements.