Southwest Plans Big Changes to Its Rapid Rewards Program in 2027

Southwest Airlines announced on October 15, 2026, its biggest changes to the Rapid Rewards program in years, and many start on January 1, 2027. According to NerdWallet, the biggest update is to the Companion Pass, which is a favorite benefit that allows a friend to fly for free with you on nearly every Southwest trip you buy with money or points, excluding taxes and fees. Starting in 2027, the unlimited Companion Pass will be part of a new top tier, and it will be harder to earn.

You can earn a Companion Pass today if you either fly 100 one-way flights that count or collect 135,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points. In 2027, you will earn it by reaching Platinum status, which takes 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 100 qualifying flights. Bonus points from credit card sign-up offers will no longer count.

The program's status levels grow from two to three and get new names. The old A-List becomes Silver, A-List Preferred becomes Gold, and Platinum is brand new. Silver needs 35,000 points or 25 qualifying flights, and Gold needs 65,000 points or 50 flights. A new Milestone Rewards system will give members points, seat certificates or a limited Companion Pass before they reach Silver and between Gold and Platinum.

Other changes are coming too. Members will be able to redeem points on rental cars starting in November 2026, on international partner airlines in spring 2027, and for seat selection in late 2027. By the autumn of 2027, every plane will offer Starlink Wi-Fi at no cost to people in the Rapid Rewards program. The first Southwest Icon airport lounges are expected by the end of 2027, and they will be open to people with a new premium credit card from Chase.

Current A-List and A-List Preferred members will be moved to the matching new tier on January 1. Anyone who already has a Companion Pass keeps it until it expires. NerdWallet notes this is part of a multiyear brand overhaul, in which Southwest has dropped much of what made it different from other airlines, including free checked bags.