Southwest Seating Policy For Status Holders, Cardholders & Flyers

July 21, 2025
Mark Ostermann

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July 21, 2025
Mark Ostermann

Travel on Point(s) is an independent, advertising-supported website. This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites like Creditcards.com and Bankrate.com. This compensation does not impact how or where products appear on this site. Travel on Point(s) has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site. Reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any partner entities.

Southwest Seating Policy

I know people have been worried about this, but we finally know what the Southwest seating policy should look like. In case you don't remember, this is part of a couple of really big changes Southwest announced a few months ago. To go along with their new seating policy, Southwest added red-eye flights for the first time, and is looking to add in premium seating. You heard that right, the premium seating won't just be just in name any longer on Southwest. Who wants to pay $200 more dollars to get the same seat and a $9 beer anyway?

Table of Contents

Update 7/21/25: I added in info on seating assignments that was released today.

Southwest Seating Arrangement By Status Level

Here is the breakdown of what each status level will get with the new Southwest seating policy

A-List perks

COMING SOON Select up front standard seats at the time of booking.
COMING SOON The option to choose an extra legroom seat within 48 hours of departure, if available, at no additional cost.
COMING SOON Same-day change comes with even better seat options⁵
Boarding benefit⁴
25% earning bonus on qualifying flights⁶
Same-day standby⁵
Priority check-in and security lane access⁷
Dedicated Member phone line

A-List Preferred perks

COMING SOON Select all available seats, including extra legroom, if available, at no additional cost.
COMING SOON Same-day change comes with even better seat options⁵
Boarding benefit⁴
100% earning bonus on qualifying flights⁶
Same-day standby⁵
Priority check-in and security lane access⁷
Dedicated Member phone line
Free inflight internet⁸
Up to two premium drinks⁹

Companion Pass

COMING SOON Ability to select an available seat for your designated Companion.
COMING SOON Tier Member seating benefits will extend to both you and your Companion.
Choose one person to fly with you, free of airline charges (does not include taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way)
Companion Pass qualifying points can be earned when you use your Rapid Rewards^® Credit Card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards^™ Cardmembers will earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year.

When Does The Seats Policy Go Live?

Southwest just released some more information on their seating policy that I wanted to share with you all. Starting July 29, 2025 you can pick seats for flights taking off January 27, 2026.

Southwest Seating By Fare

Above you will find the breakdown on how the seating by fare will go. You will get to select a seat for free as long as you don't book a basic flight (the old Wanna Get Away fare bucket). The higher up you go in fare buckets, the better the seat choices will be.

Southwest Seating With Status

Above you will find what you can expect with status. If you have either level of status then you should be able to select your seat at the time of booking. You will either have a shot at an extra legroom seat at the time of booking, or 48 hours out, depending on your status level as well.

Southwest Seating With A Credit Card

Here are the benefits, including the Southwest seating policy, for those with a Southwest co-branded credit card. Carrying even the low end $69 a year Southwest Plus card will get you free seats.

Southwest Boarding Policy

Just in case you were wondering, you can find the Southwest boarding policy on the image above. There will now be 8 boarding groups. The group you are assigned will depend on your status level, if you are a Southwest cardholder and the ticket type you purchase. The is pretty much the same set up as every other airline now.

Southwest Seating Policy: ToP Thoughts

It is good to see the Southwest seating policy have the Companion Pass flyer get the same perks as the person who holds the pass. That means that if you have status you should be able to pick a seat for you and your companion at the time of booking. If you have A-List Preferred status that even includes extra legroom seats at the time of booking.

It was smart on Southwest's part to release the seating policy for status holders early. That allowed them to decide if they want to get back on the status hamster wheel back on January 1st or not. Let me know what you think of the new Southwest seating policy over in the ToP Facebook Group.