New Southwest Business Promo
Check your Southwest accounts. You can try out A-List status and earn 20,000 bonus points, thanks to a new targeted promo. Reach A-List after taking four qualifying one-way flights, and earn 20,000 bonus points after completing eight one-way flights. Flights must be booked through Southwest Business or other eligible channels. Since A-List status normally requires 20 qualifying one-way flights (or other qualifiers) this is a much faster track. The status would only be good through the end of the year, though, so hitting the second tier and grabbing the 20K points might be more enticing. Let's take a look at the new Southwest Business promo.
A-List Status + 20K Bonus Points: Southwest Business 2026 Fall Loyalty Offer
The new Southwest Business promo offers a chance to earn promotional A-List status, plus 20,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points, when you complete the following activities:
- Login to your account. Navigate to your promotions page to see if you are targeted.
- If you are targeted, enroll in the promotion and complete qualifying events by Oct. 31, 2026, including:
- To earn promotional A-List status (valid through Dec. 31, 2026):
- Book and fly 2 qualifying round trip flights (or 4 qualifying one-way flights)
- Promotional A-List status will be updated in member’s account within ten (10) days after Southwest verifies completion of the promo requirements.
- To earn 20,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points, plus promotional A-List status (valid through Dec. 31, 2026):
- Book and fly 4 qualifying round trip flights (or 8 qualifying one-way flights)
- Rapid Rewards bonus points will be deposited into eligible Member’s Rapid Rewards account within ten (10) business days after Southwest verifies completion of the promo requirements.
- Qualifying flights must be booked through swabiz.com (SWABIZ®), Global Distribution System (GDS) or one of Southwest's direct connect/API partners through Southwest Partner Services (SPS) distribution channels with Southwest inventory. Make sure to include your Rapid Rewards account number at booking.
What Does A-List Status Offer?
A-List status usually requires 20 qualifying one-way flights or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. It includes perks like a free checked bag, Group 1 boarding, complimentary seat selection (including the ability to select an available Preferred seat at booking and to upgrade to an available Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours of departure). Learn more about A-List status here.
Terms of the Promo
- Promotional A-List status is valid through 12/31/2026.
- Promo registration must be completed prior to booking new reservations and before traveling.
- Qualifying flights must be either a Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred or Choice Extra fare product.
- Qualifying flights must be operated by Southwest Airlines and paid with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers®, gift cards, flight credits or Cash + Points.
- Reward flights are excluded.
- Other exclusions: charter flights, nonrevenue travel, Getaways by Southwest™ vacation bookings, and Companion Pass® travel.
- Rapid Rewards bonus points earned through the promo are in addition to the regular Rapid Rewards points earned.
- Changes made to the itinerary after purchase may eliminate qualification.
- Promo cannot be combined with any other promotional offer.
- Members who qualify for promotional A-List status during the promo will receive all A-List status benefits on all flights booked after being awarded promotional A-List status.
- See full promo terms.
What about those with existing status?
Per the terms: “A-List Preferred members whose status is expiring during the promotion period are not eligible to earn promotional A-List status under the promotion unless such member flies at least two (2) qualifying round trip flights (or four (4) qualifying one-way flights) after their A-List Preferred status has expired during the promotion period. Current A-List status members whose status is expiring during the promotion period are eligible to earn promotional A-List status under this promotion, and the promotional A-List status earned under this promotion will supersede and replace the member’s existing A-List status if such status has not yet expired. If a member also earns regular A-List status during the promo, that will supersede the promotional A-List status, entitling the Member to A-List status through December 31, 2027.”
Check for Other Targeted Promos
Cardholders can check for other targeted promotions floating around, too. Some may allow you to earn double Companion Pass-qualifying points or to earn extra tier-qualifying points for your spend. Be sure to check your promotions page for offers that may align with your upcoming travel or spend. We'd also recommend weighing the spend-based offers against what you could earn through a SUB on a new credit card first. And keep in mind that the best time to earn Companion Pass is typically at the start of a new year, so you can earn it for as close to two years as possible. (See more on optimal timing in our guide to the Companion Pass.)
New Southwest Business Promo: ToP Thoughts
If you're interested in A-List status, this is a quick way to get there. (For a short time, anyway—the status is only good through Dec. 31, 2026.) Earning A-List status regularly requires 20 qualifying one-way flights or earning 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year. But status earned that route would be through Dec. 31, 2027, instead. For what it's worth, certain Southwest credit card members can also access some of the same perks A-List provides. If you need to book a lot of flights, though, the 20,000 points could be a nice return. Just be sure to book through Southwest Business or another qualifying channel. If you haven't joined Southwest Business yet, you can also have another company (or P2!) refer you so they can earn 25,000 bonus points through this referral offer. Are you targeted for the new Southwest promo? Tell us in the ToP Facebook group.
