Southwest Offers Status Matching Through 2020

In a ploy to gain more flyers over to the “LUV” carrier, Southwest Airlines is offering a limited-time status match in their Rapid Rewards program. Flyers with any status can join their mid-tier status, Rapid Rewards A-List, with a challenge to retain the status through 2020.

Flyers growing tired of their status with another carrier are invited to join the “A-List” at Southwest Airlines. The Dallas-based carrier is offering a status match to flyers holding loyalty status with another U.S.-based airline, granting them elite benefits when flying aboard Southwest aircraft.

How to Get Your Status Match

The status match offer is available to anyone who has elite status with another domestic airline other than Southwest. Via e-mail, flyers must submit their name, Rapid Rewards number and proof of status with another airline. If everything checks out correctly, flyers will get matched to A-List status within 12 days of registration and verification.

To keep their Rapid Rewards A-List status through 2020, eligible flyers must fly three round-trip flights, or six one-way flights, within 90 days of their A-List confirmation date. Once complete, flyers will have their status extended for an additional 12 months.

Should I Status Match With Southwest?

The first of two loyalty tiers in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, A-List status gives flyers some benefit for their spend. In addition to the two free checked bags offered to every flyer, A-List passengers get priority boarding, priority check-in and priority security lane access. Southwest A-Listers also earn 25 percent more Rapid Rewards points per each flight and can switch flights easily with free same-day standby.

For those flyers who plan on flying another three flights between now and the beginning of 2020 with Southwest, the offer could be valuable. With A-List status, flyers get first choice of seats on the aircraft, negating fees for early check-in. And with free same-day standby, it’s possible to get home sooner without spending more.

However, status is only good if flyers end up using it. Considering Southwest extended the Boeing 737 MAX through March 6, 2020 and are considering walking away from their Boeing-only fleet, it may not be the best time to dedicate time to the carrier. If you don’t have planned flights coming up or are concerned about the continued problems with the Boeing 737 MAX, this may not be the best promotion for you.

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