No More A-List: Southwest Airlines Announces Shake-Up To Loyalty Program

Southwest Airlines is overhauling its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, removing the A-List and A-List Preferred tiers in favor of a three-level structure. The new tiers are Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with Platinum offering the highest benefits.

The changes take effect starting January 1, 2027. The new program introduces different pathways to earn elite status and adds enhanced rewards for frequent flyers.

Under the revised structure, members will qualify for one of the three levels, and the Platinum tier will include a new benefit of unlimited Companion Pass travel. Exact qualification criteria and new rewards are described as part of the overhaul.

The announcement outlines a comprehensive update to how loyalty status is earned and rewarded, signaling a strategic shift in Southwest’s customer-loyalty approach. No other specifics about dates, locations, or between-tier mechanics are provided in the material.