The A-List program gives you priority boarding, free checked bags, and discounts on seat upgrades when you fly Southwest

Southwest Airlines A-List is a frequent flyer status tier you reach by flying a certain number of may have access to flights or spending a set dollar amount on tickets in a calendar year. Once you hit A-List, you get perks for the rest of that year and the following year — things like boarding in the A group instead of B or C, waived fees for your first two checked bags, and the ability to buy upgraded seating at a discount. The program has two higher tiers, A-List Preferred and A-List Preferred Plus, each with additional benefits.

You do not pay a separate membership fee for A-List itself. You earn the status through your spending and flying activity, and the benefits are included automatically once you may have access to. This guide walks through what each tier includes, how the benefits work in practice, and what you need to do to track your progress toward status.

Key Takeaways

  • A-List status is earned by flying 25 may have access to flights or spending $1,500 on Southwest tickets in a calendar year, with higher tiers requiring more activity.
  • A-List members board in the A group, which means earlier seat selection and better overhead bin availability on every flight.
  • Your first two checked bags fly free on every trip, and you get a 50% discount on the third checked bag and additional bags.
  • You can purchase upgraded seating (Upgraded Boarding) at a reduced rate, and A-List Preferred members get one free upgrade per flight.
  • A-List status is valid through the end of the following calendar year, so reaching it in December gives you benefits for over a year.

How to Reach A-List and the Three Status Tiers

Southwest tracks your progress toward A-List using two metrics: may have access to flights and dollar spending. You reach A-List when you complete either 25 may have access to flights or spend $1,500 on Southwest tickets in a single calendar year. may have access to flights include any paid ticket on Southwest; award flights (booked with points) do not count toward the flight requirement, though they do count toward spending if you paid cash for the points.

Once you hit A-List, you can climb to higher tiers. A-List Preferred requires 50 may have access to flights or $5,000 in spending. A-List Preferred Plus, the top tier, requires 100 may have access to flights or $10,000 in spending. Each tier includes all the benefits of the tier below it, plus additional perks. Your status year runs January 1 through December 31, and your benefits extend through the end of the following year — so if you reach A-List in June, you keep the status through December 31 of the next year.

You can track your progress in your Southwest account under "My Account" and then "Rapid Rewards Status." The dashboard shows your current flights and spending toward the next tier, updated in real time.

Boarding Priority and Seat Selection

The most visible A-List benefit is boarding position. Southwest does not assign seats; instead, you choose your seat when you board. A-List members board in the A group, which includes positions A1 through A60 (the exact cutoff varies by aircraft size). This means you board before B and C passengers and have first pick of available seats.

Boarding order matters because it determines overhead bin space and seat location. Early A boarders can claim overhead bins near the front, aisle seats, and window seats with extra legroom. If you board late in the A group or in B or C, you may find bins full and be forced to check a carry-on bag or sit in a middle seat. For frequent flyers, this alone justifies the status.

You can check in online 24 hours before departure. A-List members do not get an earlier check-in window than other passengers, but your boarding position is locked in once you check in, so you know exactly where you will board.

Free and Discounted Checked Bags

A-List members receive two free checked bags on every Southwest flight. This is one of the program's most concrete savings. On a round trip, that is four free checked bags total. Non-A-List passengers pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on each flight.

If you need to check a third bag or more, A-List members pay 50% of the standard fee. The third bag costs $17.50 instead of $35, and the fourth and beyond cost $22.50 instead of $45. Bags must meet Southwest's size and weight limits (62 inches total dimension, 50 pounds) to avoid additional oversize fees.

This benefit applies to all your flights for the entire year you hold A-List status. If you travel frequently or pack checked luggage, the savings add up quickly — two free bags per round trip over 10 trips in a year saves you $700 in checked bag fees alone.

Upgraded Boarding and Seat Selection Discounts

Upgraded Boarding is Southwest's paid seat upgrade option. It moves you from your assigned A, B, or C boarding position to an earlier position in the A group, giving you better seat selection. A-List members can purchase Upgraded Boarding at a discount: typically $15 to $25 per flight instead of the standard $25 to $75 price, depending on demand and how far in advance you buy.

A-List Preferred members receive one free Upgraded Boarding per flight as part of their status. This is a significant perk if you fly regularly and want premium seat selection without paying extra. A-List Preferred Plus members receive four free Upgraded Boardings per year, which works out to roughly one per month if you fly monthly.

You can purchase Upgraded Boarding when you check in online, at the airport, or through the Southwest app. If you hold A-List Preferred, your free upgrade is automatically applied to your boarding pass at check-in unless you decline it.

Companion Pass Earning and Other Perks

A-List members earn Rapid Rewards points at a faster rate than non-members. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on any Southwest ticket, but A-List members earn an additional 10% bonus on top of that. A-List Preferred members earn 25% bonus points, and A-List Preferred Plus members earn 50% bonus points. Over a year of regular flying, this bonus accelerates your path to a Companion Pass or free flights.

A-List Preferred and Preferred Plus members also receive a Companion Pass each year. A Companion Pass lets one person of your choice fly free (you pay taxes and fees only) on any Southwest flight you book. The pass is valid for the remainder of the year you earn it plus the following year. This is one of the most valuable perks in the program — a free round-trip ticket for a companion can be worth $300 to $600 depending on the route.

All A-List members receive priority customer service phone lines and access to A-List-only fare sales. You also get a $69 annual fee waived on the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card if you hold one, and you earn bonus points on credit card spending.

How A-List Compares to Other Airlines' Programs

Most major airlines have tiered frequent flyer programs with similar structures: you fly or spend to earn status, and status unlocks perks like priority boarding and free checked bags. United's Premier status, American's Elite status, and Delta's Silver Medallion all work this way. The key difference with Southwest is that Southwest does not assign seats, so boarding position directly determines seat quality — this makes A-List boarding priority more valuable than on airlines where middle seats are assigned regardless of status.

Southwest also includes two free checked bags for all passengers, not just status members. This means the incremental benefit of A-List is the priority boarding, the additional checked bag discounts, and the points bonus. On airlines where non-members pay for checked bags, the status savings are steeper.

If you fly Southwest occasionally but not regularly, you may not reach A-List in a year. In that case, you can purchase a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, which grants A-List status for the first year as a cardholder benefit, even if you do not meet the flight or spending threshold. This is a common way for infrequent flyers to sample the benefits.

Tracking Your Status and Staying Informed

Southwest sends email notifications when you reach a new status tier, but you should not rely on these alone. Log into your Southwest account regularly to check your progress. Go to "My Account," then "Rapid Rewards Status," and you will see your current tier, the number of may have access to flights and dollars you have accumulated, and how many more you need for the next tier.

Your status year runs January 1 through December 31. If you are close to a higher tier by mid-December, you might plan a trip to push over the threshold and earn the higher tier's benefits for the following year. Conversely, if you are far from the next tier, there is no benefit to rushing — your current status carries into the next year anyway.

Southwest occasionally runs promotions that accelerate progress toward status, such as "double points" on certain routes or bonus miles for credit card spending. These are announced via email and on the Southwest website, so checking your account and email regularly can help you time your travel to maximize progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose A-List status if I do not fly enough the next year?

No. Once you earn A-List in a calendar year, your status is valid through the end of the following year, even if you do not fly at all. So if you reach A-List in December, you keep it through December 31 of the next year. After that, you would need to re-earn it by flying or spending in the new year.

Can I use my Companion Pass on someone else's ticket, or does the companion have to fly with me?

The Companion Pass is tied to your ticket. You book a flight for yourself, and the companion flies on the same reservation. The companion cannot use the pass on a separate booking or travel without you on that flight.

Do award flights (booked with points) count toward A-List status?

Award flights do not count toward the 25 may have access to flights needed for A-List. However, if you purchased the points with cash, that cash spending does count toward the $1,500 spending threshold. Flights booked with points you earned from credit card spending or previous flights do not count as spending.

What happens to my A-List status if Southwest changes the program?

Southwest occasionally adjusts the benefits or requirements for A-List, but changes typically explore to new status earned going forward, not to status you already hold. Your current year's benefits remain in effect through the end of your status period. Southwest announces major changes well in advance.

Can I combine my spouse's flights toward A-List status?

No. A-List status is tracked individually by your Rapid Rewards account number. Your spouse would need to earn status on their own account. However, you can both reach A-List and each receive a Companion Pass, which you could use for each other if you are A-List Preferred or higher.