Read it on the website. I'm away from a computer, so I can't copy and paste. But when I log into my RR account and look at the different tiers, it says A-List can be achieved with 25 one way flights or 35,000 qualifying points. The qualifying points has an * next to it, and when you follow the * to the fine print, it says the points can be earned through qualifying purchases with RR partners. No mention of the credit card. They do offer points and bonus points if you book hotels and rental cars through your RR account. Right now they are running a promotion for bonus points on flights booked and taken between certain dates. You just have to be paying attention to these promotions so you can sign up for them. I don't think they are automatic.

TXTransplant said:

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The qualifying points has an * next to it, and when you follow the * to the fine print, it says the points can be earned through qualifying purchases with RR partners. No mention of the credit card

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the 'RR partner' they are referring to is Chase, who issues the SW credit cards. This is the 1500tqp per $10k spend on a chase SW card I'm referring to.


https://www.southwest.com/help/rapid-rewards/rapid-rewards-tiers

Quote:

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The following won't count toward qualification for A-List status: Rapid Rewards reward flights; Rapid Rewards Companion Pass travel; Rapid Rewards partner points except for tier qualifying points earned on the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier, Priority, Premier Business, or Performance Business Credit Cards (as per the rules described below); bonus Rapid Rewards points, unless specifically designated as such; nonrevenue travel, unless specifically designated as eligible; stops at intermediate cities on connecting or through flights; and charter flights.

Tier qualifying points are not redeemable for travel on Southwest Airlines or through the More Rewards site. When you have either a Rapid Rewards Premier, Priority, Premier Business, or Performance Business Credit Card from Chase, you'll earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 spent on eligible purchases with that card.

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That seems pretty cut and dry.. even here
https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/eoy-tier-communication.html




Then what doesn't count.. look at the top middle;



My mom and SIL have been a list preferred for a decade or more. I trust they know how it works.

You very well may be correct. I just pulled up one of the current RR bonus promotions. It's 1000 points for using the Southwest link to file your taxes with TurboTax. When I pull up the T&C for that specific promotion, it does say the points don't count towards A-List status.

Ive had some kegs of flights that we always get later boarding groups, I think it's due to a large portion of the flight connecting through and this second flight.

I never really have to connect anywhere but I assume when you do you only check in once for entire flight and on second leg are getting better boarding compared to people who are checking in at their 24hr mark.

some friends checked in exactly 24 hrs in advance for CRP-HOU-CUN
Late B group on first flight and C group on 2nd.

lazuras_dc said:

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some friends checked in exactly 24 hrs in advance

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and so do 90% of all the other passengers lol.

Sw and RR always seems to have special bonus opportunities. Be sure to log into your SW account and activate these opportunities.

I had a 30% bonus points for companion pass that just ended Feb 28th.

Now I have 2 different bonuses.
1) I get a 20% bonus on dollars spent for companion points through the end of May
2). This is the best deal. I also get a bonus 3000 TQP for every 5000$ spent on my credit card from March 1-Jun 30th. This makes getting the A list much more manageable for someone who only flies 5 or so times a year

Getting 3000 TQP points for spending $5000 is 4 times more than the normal rate of 1500 per $10k

And these are bonus points , you still earn the normal companion and TQP points

Log into your SW account and look at promotions and activate them

Just checked in 24 hours in advance and got high B for the early bird (Mom) and mid C for other parent and child. Typically Mom saves a row for our fam, but just paid for her to upgrade. She immediately got A7.

What a scam.

You can board with family boarding after A group goes (if you have a kid under a certain age)

She's 9, so I don't think so.

But I think we've got it figured out with buying Mrs. TCR A7.

I haven't flown as much lately, but we get a handful of complimentary A List upgrades due to our corporate relationship with Southwest. I'm definitely guilty of booking for my wife and I so we both get A boarding. My biggest frustration is with people taking advantage of pre-boarding. I was A-22 for a flight originating from FLL to PUJ and ended up sitting in the back half of the plane due to the ~50 or so they allowed to pre-board . People have figured out to put the least able person in the party in a wheelchair to board first.

jh0400 said:

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I haven't flown as much lately, but we get a handful of complimentary A List upgrades due to our corporate relationship with Southwest. I'm definitely guilty of booking for my wife and I so we both get A boarding. My biggest frustration is with people taking advantage of pre-boarding. I was A-22 for a flight originating from FLL to PUJ and ended up sitting in the back half of the plane due to the ~50 or so they allowed to pre-board . People have figured out to put the least able person in the party in a wheelchair to board first.

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you have the fly throughs as well. That can easily be a dozen or more.

The plane went HOU-FLL-PUJ. We were on the first leg, and they cleared the plane to do a passport check when boarding to PUJ.

Honest question….why do people care if they sit in back half of plane especially if checking bags?

We check most of the time and intentionally sit towards the back of the plane (more restrooms and potentially more empty seats) even when we have A boarding.

Downside is waiting that 3-5 extra minutes to depart 15-20 rows further up.

Aggie09Derek said:

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Honest question….why do people care if they sit in back half of plane especially if checking bags?

We check most of the time and intentionally sit towards the back of the plane (more restrooms and potentially more empty seats) even when we have A boarding.

Downside is waiting that 3-5 extra minutes to depart 15-20 rows further up.

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I wouldn't upgrade if I was flying alone. My BF is 6'4" and a big guy. You're not getting an aisle seat if you're C boarding group. If he can't pay extra to pick an aisle seat (like he would if we were flying United), then he'll upgrade to board sooner and increase his chances to get an aisle seat.

As a side note, I just checked in for PHX->HOU and got C1 and C2. We upgraded to A13 and 14.

My son actually likes to sit in the back of the plane and doesn't care if he boards later.

6'3 and not small myself.

We usually A or family boarding (right after A) and could sit wherever we want on first half of plan but intentionally make our way to the back (with kids or even without).

Aggie09Derek said:

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6'3 and not small myself.

We usually A or family boarding (right after A) and could sit wherever we want on first half of plan but intentionally make our way to the back (with kids or even without).

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Even with B, you have a decent change of getting an aisle seat. But not if you get C…which is where we've been on this most recent flight.

62strat said:

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lazuras_dc said:

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some friends checked in exactly 24 hrs in advance

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and so do 90% of all the other passengers lol.

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It defies my comprehension that you can sample 150 people from a wide cross-section of society and more than 50% of them are savvy enough to check-in promptly.

I think another big factor is Southwest changing their route network to more connecting flights. You get checked-in to your second leg at the same time as your first leg, which puts you ahead of line for someone who is starting their itinerary on the second leg.

kyle field 94 said:

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2). This is the best deal. I also get a bonus 3000 TQP for every 5000$ spent on my credit card from March 1-Jun 30th. This makes getting the A list much more manageable for someone who only flies 5 or so times a year

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This is what I'm working on right now. I am buying all new furniture so I should requalify for A-list in about another week.

jh0400 said:

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The plane went HOU-FLL-PUJ. We were on the first leg, and they cleared the plane to do a passport check when boarding to PUJ.

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im talking about the leg before you, xxx-Hou-fll.
Those people stay on the plane at Houston and once everyone else deplanes, they can repick their seats before a1 ever gets on. That can potentially be 20-30 people.

Reading comprehension…

They cleared the plane in FLL, and there were around 30 people that boarded in preboard as part of the wheelchair parade.

jh0400 said:

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Reading comprehension…

They cleared the plane in FLL, and there were around 30 people that boarded in preboard as part of the wheelchair parade.

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i still don't think you're following me.
I'm talking about the airport before Hou the plane came from. Some of those people may have stayed on the plane in Hou, and continued onto fll. You got on in Hou right?


Edit;
So you said 'HOU-FLL-PUJ. We were on the first leg,'

So I assumed you got on in Hou with my comments; I see in your first post you said you flew fll to puj.


So yeh, reading comprehension fail on my part, consistent explanation fail on yours.

62strat said:

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Quote:

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As I understand it, boarding position goes:
Paid business select
Points business select
A list preferred paid
A list preferred points
A list paid
A list points

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In my experience, this seems right.

When I flew SW for work (really wish I switched to United when I was doing this!), I would pay business select, and out of 10-12 flights in that 18 months or so, I was never more than about A3. I had A1 a handful of times. And these flights were not purchased very far ahead of time; maybe a week.

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I used to fly business select almost every week always paid. After some time, I only ever got A1. My understanding is that among purchased business select, they is a prioritization based on rolling level of spend. When I quit traveling weekly, I slipped down from A1. If I flew on points and non-bus select I was almost always A16.

The other caveat I would add is that SWA now assigns your companion and those on your reservation (may be limited to children) a contiguous boarding position to the A-List preferred, So if I am AList+ and my companion wife and 13yo on same record locator are checked in, we get contiguous A group positions based on my status.

fka ftc said:

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62strat said:

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Quote:

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As I understand it, boarding position goes:
Paid business select
Points business select
A list preferred paid
A list preferred points
A list paid
A list points

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In my experience, this seems right.

When I flew SW for work (really wish I switched to United when I was doing this!), I would pay business select, and out of 10-12 flights in that 18 months or so, I was never more than about A3. I had A1 a handful of times. And these flights were not purchased very far ahead of time; maybe a week.

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I used to fly business select almost every week always paid. After some time, I only ever got A1. My understanding is that among purchased business select, they is a prioritization based on rolling level of spend. When I quit traveling weekly, I slipped down from A1. If I flew on points and non-bus select I was almost always A16.

The other caveat I would add is that SWA now assigns your companion and those on your reservation (may be limited to children) a contiguous boarding position to the A-List preferred, So if I am AList+ and my companion wife and 13yo on same record locator are checked in, we get contiguous A group positions based on my status.

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This is mostly true. The one exception is if you purchase a business class ticket, your companion does not get to board with you and therefore doesn't get an a1-15 slot.

I learned this the hard way over spring break when I was forced to buy a business class ticket to Cabo but then was able to get a wanna get away fare on the way home. Companion son got c21 on way there , so I called customer service and found this out. On the way home, he was given the boarding slot next to me.

So, either buy an early bird for companion when buying a business ticket, or plan on saving the seat next to you.

We did the later and also let the the flight attendant know that you are saving a seat for your companion. They are usually happy to stand in the seat kind of blocking it from other people on w flight

Correct. Boarding position togetherness is not applicable to Bus Select.

So, what's the consensus on this board for saving seats? I wouldn't do it in an exit row, but what if one person boards A1-15 and then saves the middle seat or both seats in that same row?

I hate to be a jerk and do that, but if everyone else thinks it's ok…

Against saving seats other than the middle seat. Since middles fill up last no one cares about those and you're freeing up a better seat for someone else.

Last month I was on a flight where an old lady with a cane pre-boarded sat in an aisle seat to save the middle and window seat and put her cane across the three seats on the other side of the aisle. I sat one row behind them with an A1-15 slot and people were definitely not happy with her. She was old but had nerves to save 5 seats.

TXTransplant said:

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So, what's the consensus on this board for saving seats? I wouldn't do it in an exit row, but what if one person boards A1-15 and then saves the middle seat or both seats in that same row?

I hate to be a jerk and do that, but if everyone else thinks it's ok…

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Saving a middle seat as noted should never cause an issue, unless first row or exit row.

Saving window, aisles, your row, etc can get sketchy fast. If you need more seats then plant your ass just behind 2nd FA standing during boarding. Let her know, she/he will tell you saving seats at your on peril, but will generally help.

Have a special situation (group of friends, larger family) then buy the FAs some Starbucks cards and they likely will help block and tackle for you. Bonus is you probably also drink for free on the flight.

Middle row anywhere I'm ok with it. A whole row better be in the back of the plane and a family. If it's a girls or dudes trip I have no sympathy.

Most of the time I'll pay for preferred seating at the check in counter. Most of the time they won't charge you for each ticket, just the one.

Also I've been buying my ticket individually and then my wife and two kids on a separate reservation. Then I go to the desk and buy A-List for myself. The only drawback I've experienced is the A-List/Preferred Boarding spots are already sold out.

eiggA2002 said:

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Most of the time I'll pay for preferred seating at the check in counter. Most of the time they won't charge you for each ticket, just the one.

Also I've been buying my ticket individually and then my wife and two kids on a separate reservation. Then I go to the desk and buy A-List for myself. The only drawback I've experienced is the A-List/Preferred Boarding spots are already sold out.

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Boarding your friends and family with your purchased A position is technically fraud but it is also poor behavior, deceptive and against their rules.

If I observed this, you would be on youtube and described appropriately as a ****** canoe.

Don't do this, its lame. And I have a good friend who does this repeatedly. Its shameful and sinful.

Just pre board with family or other. Airlines never ask why they just board you... SW needs to upgrade their seating policy as it is a real crap show unless your traveling by yourself!!!

eiggA2002 said:

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Most of the time I'll pay for preferred seating at the check in counter. Most of the time they won't charge you for each ticket, just the one.

Also I've been buying my ticket individually and then my wife and two kids on a separate reservation. Then I go to the desk and buy A-List for myself. The only drawback I've experienced is the A-List/Preferred Boarding spots are already sold out.

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Why do you do this? You do not have to buy A-List upgraded boarding for everyone on a reservation. You can pick and choose which passengers to purchase it for. Even if you are all on the same reservation.

When we flew to LGA last year, I bought A-List boarding for my BF and his two oldest sons so they could be sure to get an aisle seat. Then the youngest and I boarded together in B group, I sat in a middle seat next to my BF, and the youngest sat in the window seat next to me.

agAngeldad said:

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Just pre board with family or other. Airlines never ask why they just board you... SW needs to upgrade their seating policy as it is a real crap show unless your traveling by yourself!!!

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Southwest only lets families with kids age 6 and under board between groups A and B. At least that's what was announced on our flight yesterday.

Preboarding before A group has even stricter requirements - basically just wheelchair and military.

TXTransplant said:

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agAngeldad said:

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Just pre board with family or other. Airlines never ask why they just board you... SW needs to upgrade their seating policy as it is a real crap show unless your traveling by yourself!!!

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Southwest only lets families with kids age 6 and under board between groups A and B. At least that's what was announced on our flight yesterday.

Preboarding before A group has even stricter requirements - basically just wheelchair and military.

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You can also claim agoraphobia at check in and get a preboard authorization.

Also, technically only one family member may preboard with someone needing assistance. In Memphis, this means half the plane boards with Grandma.