Southwest Airlines offers a loyalty program called Rapid Rewards, which allows customers to earn points for flights and other purchases. These points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and more. In addition to earning points, Rapid Rewards members can also earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs), which determine their status within the program.

TQPs are used to determine a member's level of elite status, which includes A-List and A-List Preferred. These levels come with benefits such as priority boarding, bonus points, and free same-day standby. To earn A-List status, members must earn 35,000 TQPs or fly 25 one-way flights in a calendar year. To earn A-List Preferred status, members must earn 70,000 TQPs or fly 50 one-way flights in a calendar year.

Understanding Southwest Tier Qualifying Points

Southwest Airlines offers a tier-based loyalty program called Rapid Rewards. Members can earn points by flying with Southwest or using their Rapid Rewards credit card. Tier qualifying points (TQPs) determine a member's tier status and are used to calculate A-List and A-List Preferred status.

TQPs are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines or by using the Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, Premier Business, or Performance Business Credit Card from Chase to make purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds. A small amount of points earned with certain Rapid Rewards credit cards are also TQP.

TQPs reset at the end of each calendar year, and members must earn a certain number of TQPs to qualify for each tier. For A-List status, members must earn 35,000 TQPs or fly 25 one-way flights in a calendar year. For A-List Preferred status, members must earn 70,000 TQPs or fly 50 one-way flights in a calendar year.

It is important to note that TQPs are different from Rapid Rewards points, which are used to redeem for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. Rapid Rewards points do not count toward tier status.

Southwest Airlines provides a clear breakdown of how TQPs are calculated on their website. Members earn 12 TQPs per dollar spent on eligible Wanna Get Away fares, 10 TQPs per dollar spent on eligible Anytime fares, and 6 TQPs per dollar spent on eligible Business Select fares. Members also earn TQPs for flights booked through Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards partners.

In summary, understanding Southwest tier qualifying points is essential for members who want to earn and maintain A-List or A-List Preferred status. TQPs are earned through flights and credit card purchases, reset at the end of each calendar year, and are used to determine a member's tier status.

Earning Tier Qualifying Points

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program allows members to earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) that count towards A-List and A-List Preferred status. Members can earn TQPs in several ways, including revenue flights, partner activities, and credit card spending.

Revenue Flights

Southwest Airlines offers TQPs for every revenue flight booked through their website or mobile app. The number of TQPs earned per flight depends on the fare type and the distance flown. Business Select fares earn the most TQPs, followed by Anytime fares, and then Wanna Get Away fares. Members can earn additional TQPs by purchasing EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding.

Partner Activities

Southwest Airlines partners with several companies to offer TQPs for activities such as car rentals, hotel stays, and vacation packages. Members can earn TQPs by booking through Southwest's partners or by providing their Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking. The number of TQPs earned varies depending on the partner and the activity.

Credit Card Spending

Southwest Airlines offers several co-branded credit cards that allow members to earn TQPs for everyday spending. The amount of TQPs earned per dollar spent depends on the card and the type of purchase. For example, the Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card from Chase offers 2 TQPs per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases and 1 TQP per $1 spent on all other purchases. Members can also earn bonus TQPs for reaching certain spending thresholds.

In conclusion, members can earn Tier Qualifying Points through revenue flights, partner activities, and credit card spending. By strategically earning TQPs, members can achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status, which comes with benefits such as priority boarding, bonus points, and waived fees.

Calculating Points Based on Fare Types

Southwest Airlines uses a fare-based system to calculate Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) earned on flights. The number of TQPs earned depends on the fare type purchased and the distance flown.

For Wanna Get Away fares, customers earn six TQPs per dollar spent on the base fare and any mandatory fees. For example, a $200 Wanna Get Away fare would earn 1,200 TQPs.

For Anytime fares, customers earn ten TQPs per dollar spent on the base fare and any mandatory fees. For example, a $300 Anytime fare would earn 3,000 TQPs.

For Business Select fares, customers earn 12 TQPs per dollar spent on the base fare and any mandatory fees. For example, a $400 Business Select fare would earn 4,800 TQPs.

It is important to note that TQPs are only earned on the base fare and any mandatory fees. Taxes, government-imposed fees, and optional fees such as EarlyBird Check-In or upgraded boarding do not count towards TQPs.

In addition to earning TQPs from flights, customers can also earn TQPs by using a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. The amount of TQPs earned from credit card spending varies depending on the card and the amount spent.

Overall, calculating TQPs based on fare types is a straightforward process. By understanding the fare-based system and making strategic purchases, customers can earn TQPs and work towards achieving A-List or A-List Preferred status.

Bonus Points and Promotions

Southwest Airlines offers various promotions throughout the year that allow members to earn bonus points and Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) faster. Members can earn bonus points by booking flights, renting cars, reserving hotels, shopping online, and more.

One of the most popular promotions is the Rapid Rewards® bonus points promotion, which allows members to earn bonus points on qualifying flights when they register, book spine calculator mm, and fly by a certain date. Members can also earn bonus points by using Southwest's travel partners, such as car rental companies and hotel chains.

Southwest also offers promotions that allow members to earn TQPs faster, which can help them qualify for A-List or A-List Preferred status. For example, members can earn TQPs by booking and completing a certain number of flights within a specific timeframe.

Members can also earn TQPs by using certain Southwest credit cards, such as the Rapid Rewards® Priority, Premier, Premier Business, or Performance Business Credit Card from Chase. These cards offer bonus TQPs for spending a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account, as well as bonus TQPs on card anniversary dates.

It's important to note that promotions and bonus points may have restrictions, such as blackout dates, limited availability, and expiration dates. Members should always read the terms and conditions carefully before participating in any promotion to ensure they understand the requirements and limitations.

Overall, bonus points and promotions can be a great way for members to earn additional points and TQPs, but they should always be used strategically and in conjunction with their overall Rapid Rewards® earning and redemption plan.

Tracking and Managing Your Points

Once you start earning Southwest Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs), it's important to keep track of your progress to ensure you reach your desired tier status. Fortunately, Southwest Airlines makes it easy to monitor your TQPs and other Rapid Rewards account information.

To view your TQP balance, log in to your Rapid Rewards account and select the "My Account" option from the menu. Then, select the "Rapid Rewards" tab on desktop or scroll down to the "My Rapid Rewards" section on mobile. Here, you can view your current TQP balance, as well as your progress towards A-List or A-List Preferred status.

It's also important to keep in mind that TQPs have an expiration date. TQPs earned through flights will expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which they were earned. TQPs earned through credit card spending will expire on December 31st of the year in which they were earned.

To ensure you don't lose any TQPs, it's recommended to keep track of your TQP expiration dates and plan accordingly. You can view the expiration dates of your TQPs by logging in to your Rapid Rewards account and selecting the "My Account" option from the menu. Then, select the "Rapid Rewards" tab on desktop or scroll down to the "My Rapid Rewards" section on mobile.

Overall, keeping track of your TQPs and expiration dates is crucial to reaching and maintaining your desired tier status with Southwest Airlines. By monitoring your progress and planning ahead, you can maximize your rewards and enjoy the many benefits of A-List or A-List Preferred status.

Tier Status and Benefits

Southwest Airlines offers two elite tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred. To qualify for A-List status, a member must either fly 25 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. A-List Preferred status requires 50 qualifying one-way flights or 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.

Once a member achieves A-List or A-List Preferred status, they are eligible for a range of benefits. These benefits include priority boarding, free same-day standby, and same-day change, 100% earning bonus, dedicated A-List Preferred member phone line, and access to Fly By priority check-in and security access lanes (where available).

In addition to these benefits, eligible Rapid Rewards Credit Cards can earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent. Premium drinks are also available for A-List Preferred members.

To maintain A-List or A-List Preferred status, a member must earn the required number of tier qualifying points or take the required number of qualifying flights each calendar year. Southwest Airlines offers promotions and bonuses throughout the year to help members achieve or maintain their elite status.

Overall, achieving A-List or A-List Preferred status can provide significant benefits to frequent Southwest Airlines travelers.

Expiration and Loss of Qualifying Points

Southwest Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are valid until December 31st of the calendar year in which they were earned. After that, they will expire and will not be counted towards A-List or A-List Preferred status. It is important for Southwest Rapid Rewards members to keep track of their TQPs and plan accordingly to avoid losing them.

In addition to expiration, members may also lose their TQPs if they cancel a flight or receive a refund for a flight that was previously credited towards their TQPs. Members may also lose TQPs if they do not meet the requirements for A-List or A-List Preferred status by the end of the calendar year.

It is important to note that Southwest Airlines may make changes to their TQP policies and expiration dates at any time. Members should regularly check the Southwest Airlines website and their Rapid Rewards account for updates and changes to their TQP policies.

To avoid losing TQPs, members can take advantage of the various ways to earn TQPs, such as flying on Southwest Airlines or using a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card. Members can also check their TQP balance regularly and plan accordingly to ensure they meet the requirements for A-List or A-List Preferred status by the end of the calendar year.

Overall, understanding the expiration and loss of TQPs is crucial for Southwest Rapid Rewards members who are working towards A-List or A-List Preferred status. By keeping track of their TQPs and planning accordingly, members can avoid losing TQPs and achieve their desired status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of purchases count towards earning Tier Qualifying Points with Southwest?

Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines or when you, or an authorized user, use the Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, Premier Business or Performance Business Credit Card from Chase to make purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds.

What is the difference between Tier Qualifying Points and regular bonus points on Southwest?

TQPs are the points that count towards A-List or A-List Preferred status, while regular bonus points are earned through promotions and do not count towards elite status.

How can one earn Tier Qualifying Points through Southwest promotions?

Southwest occasionally offers promotions that allow Rapid Rewards members to earn TQPs. These promotions may include booking and completing a certain number of flights within a specified time period or reaching a spending threshold on the Rapid Rewards Credit Card.

What are the requirements for obtaining a Southwest Companion Pass in terms of Tier Qualifying Points?

To obtain a Southwest Companion Pass, a member must earn 125,000 TQPs or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Once obtained, the Companion Pass allows the member to designate one person to fly with them for free (excluding taxes and fees) for the remainder of the calendar year in which the pass was earned and the following calendar year.

How many Tier Qualifying Points does one need to achieve A-List Preferred status on Southwest?

To achieve A-List Preferred status on Southwest, a member must earn 70,000 TQPs or fly 50 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.

What is the spending threshold to accumulate 135,000 Tier Qualifying Points on Southwest?

The spending threshold to accumulate 135,000 TQPs on Southwest is $100,000 on the Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, Premier Business or Performance Business Credit Card from Chase.