Rapid Rewards Point Earn Rates by Fare Type
Points earned per dollar on Southwest Airlines flights vary by fare type. A-List members earn a 25% bonus and A-List Preferred members earn a 100% bonus on base points. Credit card bonus points are added on top.
| Fare Type | Base Rate | A-List (25%) | A-List Preferred (100%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Extra | 14 pts/$ | 17.5 pts/$ | 28 pts/$ |
| Choice Preferred | 10 pts/$ | 12.5 pts/$ | 20 pts/$ |
| Choice | 6 pts/$ | 7.5 pts/$ | 12 pts/$ |
| Basic | 2 pts/$ | 2.5 pts/$ | 4 pts/$ |
Points are earned on the base fare before taxes and fees. Choice Extra fares earn 7x more points per dollar than Basic fares. Formerly known as Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Wanna Get Away.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card Bonuses
Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa cardholders (issued by Chase) earn additional points per dollar when purchasing Southwest flights with their card. These bonus points are added on top of your base + status earn rate.
| Card | Bonus on SW Purchases | Annual Fee | TQP Earning | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | +2 pts/$ | $99 | — | Free checked bag, 3K anniversary pts, 25% back on inflight |
| Premier | +3 pts/$ | $149 | 1,500 TQP per $5K spent | Free checked bag, 6K anniversary pts, 25% back on inflight |
| Priority | +4 pts/$ | $229 | 2,500 TQP per $5K spent | Free checked bag, 7,500 anniversary pts, Extra Legroom upgrade, 25% back on inflight |
All cards also earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually. Plus earns 2x at gas/grocery (first $5K/yr), Premier earns 2x at grocery/restaurants (first $8K/yr), Priority earns 2x at gas/restaurants (unlimited). All cards have no foreign transaction fees.
A-List Status Qualification
Earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) on Southwest flights and through eligible credit card spending to qualify for A-List status tiers. Higher status earns more points per flight and unlocks priority benefits.
| Status Tier | TQPs Required | Qualifying Flights | Earning Bonus | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-List | 35,000 | 20 flights | +25% bonus points | One free checked bag, select Preferred or Standard seat at booking, boarding no later than Group 5, dedicated check-in, same-day standby, priority security lane |
| A-List Preferred | 70,000 | 40 flights | +100% bonus points | Two free checked bags, select any seat including Extra Legroom at booking, boarding no later than Group 2, free inflight WiFi, up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg, dedicated check-in, same-day standby, priority security lane |
| Companion Pass | 135,000 | 100 flights | — | Designate one person to fly free (taxes/fees only) on every flight you take |
Qualification is based on TQPs or qualifying flights — whichever threshold you reach first. Premier cardholders earn 1,500 TQPs per $5,000 spent; Priority cardholders earn 2,500 TQPs per $5,000 spent, offering a faster path to A-List. All Rapid Rewards cards earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually.
Good to Know
- Points are earned on the base fare before taxes and fees. The fare type you purchase determines your base earn rate.
- Southwest renamed their fare types in recent years: Business Select is now Choice Extra, Anytime is now Choice Preferred, Wanna Get Away Plus is now Choice, and Wanna Get Away is now Basic.
- A-List status bonuses apply to the base points earned on flights. An A-List Preferred member purchasing a Choice Extra fare earns 28 pts/$ — the highest possible flight earn rate.
- Credit card bonus points stack on top of both base and status bonus. An A-List Preferred member with a Priority card earns up to 32 pts/$ on Choice Extra fares.
- The Companion Pass is one of the most valuable perks in the airline industry. Once earned, a designated companion flies free (plus taxes/fees) on every Southwest flight you take for the remainder of the year plus the following year.
- Southwest does not charge change or cancellation fees on any fare type. Basic fares receive travel credit; all other fares are refundable or transferable.
- As of January 27, 2026, Southwest transitioned from open seating to assigned seating. All flights are single-class (no first class) with three seat types: Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard. Boarding groups are assigned based on fare type and status tier.
- As of May 28, 2025, Southwest charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares. Choice Extra includes two free checked bags. A-List members get one free bag; A-List Preferred get two.
Source: Rapid Rewards Earning | A-List Status | Southwest Credit Cards
Rapid Rewards® is a registered trademark of Southwest Airlines Co. This calculator is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by Southwest Airlines or Chase. Information is provided for estimation purposes only and may not reflect the most current program terms.