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Southwest A-List Preferred requires twice the annual qualification of A-List—40 qualifying one-way trips or 70,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs), versus 20 trips or 35,000 TQPs—and adds earlier boarding, broader seat selection, a second free checked bag, and a larger flight-points bonus. Both tiers include travel-day conveniences such as same-day standby and priority airport and phone access.
How the two Southwest status tiers compare
| Benefit or requirement | A-List | A-List Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual qualification | 20 qualifying one-way flight segments or 35,000 TQPs | 40 qualifying one-way flight segments or 70,000 TQPs |
| Boarding | Group 1 | Before Group 1 |
| Seat selection | Preferred or Standard seat at booking when available; Extra Legroom seat may be selected within 48 hours of departure when available | Select available seats, including Extra Legroom, at booking at no additional cost |
| Checked bags | One free checked bag; second bag listed at $35 | Two free checked bags |
| Qualifying-flight points bonus | 25% | 100% |
| Same-day standby | Available, including with Basic fares; taxes and fees may apply | Available, including with Basic fares; taxes and fees may apply |
| Other stated benefits | Priority check-in and security lanes; priority phone support | Priority check-in and security lanes; priority phone support; up to two complimentary premium drinks on select flights over 250 miles |
Thresholds and benefits above reflect Southwest’s 2026–2027 tier information. Seat availability, fare rules, baggage conditions, and flight-specific drink eligibility apply. Checked-bag benefits do not apply on partner-carrier flights, and weight and size limits apply. Southwest’s A-List and A-List Preferred pages contain the current benefit details and baggage terms.
What Preferred adds in practice
Earlier boarding
A-List boards in Group 1. A-List Preferred boards before Group 1, giving members the earlier boarding position of the two tiers.
More seat choice, sooner
A-List members can select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking when available. Extra Legroom seats become selectable within 48 hours of departure when available. Preferred members can select available seats—including Extra Legroom—at booking at no additional cost. These benefits depend on seat availability.
#1 Best Overall
- Officialy Licensed Southwest 737 1/200 scale model aircraft, featuring authentic airline graphics and realistic detailing
- Premium injection-molded plastic construction delivers a durable, lightweight aircraft model for long-lasting display
- Perfect Size – At 1/200 scale, the model measures approximately 7 inches long with a 7 inch wingspan
- Ideal for aviation enthusiasts, collectors, airline fans, and anyone looking to expand an aircraft model collection. Recommended for ages 14 and up
- From SkyMarks Flight by Daron, a trusted leader in collectible aircraft models, delivering officially licensed replicas that celebrate modern aviation design and engineering
A second checked bag and a bigger points bonus
Preferred includes two free checked bags, compared with one for A-List, subject to Southwest’s baggage conditions. Its qualifying-flight points bonus is 100%, versus 25% for A-List; the bonus applies to qualifying flights, not every kind of points activity.
Premium drinks on select flights
Preferred members may receive up to two complimentary premium drinks on select flights over 250 miles. This is flight-specific, not a guarantee on every itinerary.
Rank #2
- Purpose & Use – Perfect for collectors, aviation enthusiasts, or as a display piece, this snap-fit model assembles quickly without glue and includes a sturdy display stand
- Perfect Size – At 1/200 scale, the model measures approximately 13 inches long with a 12 ½-inch wingspan—large enough to impress while fitting neatly on shelves or desks
- Quality Materials – Made from durable solid injection-molded plastic for long-lasting quality, smooth finishes, and detailed realism
- Brand Excellence – From SkyMarks by Daron, a trusted leader in collectible aircraft models, delivering officially licensed replicas that celebrate modern aviation design and engineering
How many flights or points qualify?
For 2026–2027 earning, Southwest lists these annual thresholds:
- A-List: 20 qualifying one-way flight segments or 35,000 TQPs in a calendar year.
- A-List Preferred: 40 qualifying one-way flight segments or 70,000 TQPs in a calendar year.
The segment route and TQP route are alternatives; a member can qualify through either threshold. A qualifying one-way segment is a one-way trip operated by Southwest from an origin city to a destination city, including intermediate stops and/or Southwest connections. Southwest counts that trip as the one-way trip in its definition, rather than treating every stop or connection as a separate segment. Reward flights, charter flights, non-revenue travel, and Companion Pass travel are excluded. See Southwest’s Help Center explanation and Rapid Rewards terms for definitions and exclusions.
Rank #3
- Purpose & Use – Perfect for collectors, aviation enthusiasts, or as a display piece, this snap-fit model assembles quickly without glue and includes a sturdy display stand
- Perfect Size – At 1/200 scale, the model measures approximately 13 inches long with a 12 ½-inch wingspan—large enough to impress while fitting neatly on shelves or desks
- Quality Materials – Made from durable solid injection-molded plastic for long-lasting quality, smooth finishes, and detailed realism
- Brand Excellence – From SkyMarks by Daron, a trusted leader in collectible aircraft models, delivering officially licensed replicas that celebrate modern aviation design and engineering
Can credit-card spending help earn TQPs?
Yes, eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards credit-card purchases can contribute TQPs, but the amount depends on the card and TQPs are not usable for tier qualification until they post to the Rapid Rewards account. Southwest’s 2026 tier information lists these purchase rates:
| Eligible card type | TQPs for purchases |
|---|---|
| Premier | 1,500 per $5,000 in purchases |
| Premier Business | 2,000 per $5,000 in purchases |
| Priority or Performance Business | 2,500 per $5,000 in purchases |
Posting timing and program rules apply. The rates are not interchangeable across cards, and ordinary card points should not be assumed to count as TQPs. Check Southwest’s 2026 tier communication and the current terms for eligible-card and posting details before relying on spending to qualify.
Rank #4
- Realistic airplane model: Officially licensed by Southwest with authentic, highly detailed markings and designs accurate to the real plane
- Airplane for ages 3+. This must-have for the young aviator enthusiast in your life. Includes a single toy plane with rolling wheels and authentic livery.
- Size: Plane model measures approximately 5.75 inches in length with a 5 inch wingspan, perfectly sized for easy display and handling
- Quality materials: Die-cast metal airplanes with plastic parts, no assembly required
- Let your imagination fly: Daron airplanes have brought smiles to kids and collectors since 1990 as America’s source of aviation-related collectibles and transportation themed toys
Which Southwest activity does not count?
Southwest’s terms exclude several types of points or travel from tier qualification unless a specific exception applies. Examples include program enrollment points, reward-flight points, Companion Pass travel, partner points other than eligible card TQPs, bonus points not explicitly designated as qualifying, and non-revenue travel not designated eligible. Intermediate stops are not counted separately. Some vacation packages booked through online travel agencies and certain OTA tickets where the operating carrier is not disclosed before purchase also do not qualify. With Cash + Points, only the base-fare portion paid in dollars earns TQPs. The Rapid Rewards terms are controlling; check them for the complete exclusions and any exceptions.
What benefits do both tiers share?
Both tiers provide same-day standby, including with Basic fares, though taxes and fees may apply. Southwest also lists priority check-in and security lanes and priority phone support among its tier benefits. These shared conveniences distinguish neither tier; the practical step up with Preferred is its earlier boarding, booking-time access to available Extra Legroom seats, second free checked bag, larger flight-points bonus, and select premium drinks.
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- Purpose & Use – Perfect for collectors, aviation enthusiasts, or as a display piece, this snap-fit model assembles quickly without glue and includes a sturdy display stand
- Perfect Size – At 1/200 scale, the model measures approximately 13 inches long with a 12 ½-inch wingspan—large enough to impress while fitting neatly on shelves or desks
- Quality Materials – Made from durable solid injection-molded plastic for long-lasting quality, smooth finishes, and detailed realism
- Brand Excellence – From SkyMarks by Daron, a trusted leader in collectible aircraft models, delivering officially licensed replicas that celebrate modern aviation design and engineering
How long does status last?
Under Southwest’s Rapid Rewards terms, status lasts for the remainder of the calendar year in which the member qualifies and the entire following calendar year. To keep tier benefits beyond that period, the member must qualify again in a later calendar year.
Quick Recap
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