Like a handful of readers, I received an A-List promotion from Southwest Airlines recently. The promotion includes an instant match to Southwest A-List status through May 25, 2016. If you book and complete two revenue roundtrips or four revenue one-ways (or earn 5,850 tier qualifying points) during the promotional period, Southwest will extend your A-List status through the end of the year. Easy! I had a few Southwest flights booked in advance, all on Rapid Rewards points. These do not qualify for the promotion, obviously, but I was able to receive the benefits of A-List status on these flights.
How? I sent the great folks at Southwest’s social media team a direct message via Twitter letting them know I had some award flights in the hopper. They wouldn’t qualify for the promotion, but could I receive A-List benefits on these flights? Absolutely! They deleted and re-entered my Rapid Rewards number and like magic, I was on the A-List.
Heart logo imagine courtesy of Southwest Airlines
Southwest A-List Status Benefits
A-Listers receive a number of benefits that enhance your Southwest travels, primarily an “A” boarding group number that ensures you’ll be among the first to board when overhead space and good seats are most likely to be available. Additionally, members receive a 25 percent Rapid Rewards points earning bonus, Fly By priority check-in and security access, and a dedicated phone number for quick access to a customer representative. Normal qualification requirements are 25 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 qualifying tier points per year. There’s also A-List Preferred status which requires 50 one-way qualifying flights or 70,000 qualifying tier points per year. A-List Preferred members receive a 100 percent earning bonus, and best of all, free inflight wi-fi. Review all of Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List benefits here.
My First A-List Experience
My first flight as an A-List member was as expected. The best thing about it, no need to stalk the interweb at exactly 24 hours before your flight to secure a decent boarding group. I checked in via my iPhone and had TSA PreCheck, so I did not test Fly By priority check-in and security. I have more flights coming up that will offer an opportunity to test some of the other benefits.
Will I Meet the Promo Terms?
Four one-way trips (or two roundtrips) is not a lot of flying. While my currently booked itineraries are paid for with points, I fly Southwest just enough to justify moving a couple of trips over to them. Did I mention I really liked not stalking the interweb at 24 hours before my flight?
Readers who received the same promo, are you going to remain on the A-List?
-MJ, April 9, 2016
I really like WN both as an business and as an airline I fly.
I’ve been on/off status the last ten years, some years a-list preferred, companion pass, and a couple years w/o status. I can honestly say that the 24-hour auto check in, while convenient, isn’t a deal breaker. I’ve noticed a differential of about 10-15 in placement. For example, on A-list I get A30-45 frequently. W/o A-list and checking in 24 hours in advanced, I still get A45-60 most of the time. I set a calendar reminder to check in and I fly mostly west coast routes.
Thanks, everyone – looking forward to my number on the A group when I finally check it out 24 hours out.
JRG – You don’t have to worry about checking in, you will automatically be checked in 36 hours before your flight. Then when you do check in 24 hours before your flight, your boarding pass will have an A number.
However if you booked the ticket before you got status, call and have them apply the status to that reservation. That way you’ll get the automatic checkin. Otherwise you won’t get the perks.
I was typing as JG was typing. đŸ™‚ Thanks for the info. I was thinking I’d read that 36 hour thing somewhere.
First A-list for me on Monday. So if you don’t check in exactly 24 hours out, what A number do you get? Is there an advantage, A-wise, by doing the 24 hour thing?
@JRG,
I got A21 today. There were no business select customers that I could see (A1-15), and maybe 5 people ahead of me. I got an exit row easy.
I’m not completely certain about this, so YMMV, but I think that Southwest “checks you in” behind the scenes ahead of everyone else when you’re A List, so I don’t think it would make any difference if you checked yourself in exactly at the 24 hour mark if you’re an A List member.
I also got the email to do two qualifying round trips to get A-List. I fly almost exclusively in the US on Southwest, but not enough to earn status the normal way. So I booked 2 short round trips that were under $100 each. I already completed one and the second is coming up this week. I too have TSA Precheck so the Fly By security thing isn’t a big deal for me either. If for some reason I don’t get TSA Precheck on a flight, that feature will be nice. I booked my qualifying flights before Southwest’s systems fully… Read more »
I like how A list isn’t very difficult to maintain either. I find it manageable to maintain A list concurrently with American platinum.