Originally Posted by
jmbarkes
As a follow up questions on the A-List, my understanding is 25 One-way flights (I wont reach that in a calendar year), or 35,000 Tier qualifying points. Its my understanding the point received on my Southwest CC only count partially to that (I think I read 15k max). Is there anyway else to get the 35k besides flying?
There are only 2 consistent ways to get TQPs - Flying and the 1,500 TQP Bonus for $10,000 spend on the Premier card up to 15,000 TQP/year. Very occasionally Southwest will have promotions for additional TQP and may offer to sell you some. Don't count on those, I've never gotten either. You can increase your TQP earning by purchasing Anytime (10 points/$) or Business Select(12 points/$) tickets but they cost more and earn more points.
If you are close to 25 trips it might be cheaper to make a segment run (or 2) when there is a good sale. Typically and AT or BS fare is more than twice an WGA fare and sometimes sale fares are available that at 1/4 of the AT fare.
For example I just checked one of my short routes for the middle of next month. The WGA fare is $111. The Sale Fare is $49. The AT Fare is about $270. The BS fare is about $290. All are the same number of flights but the Sale Fare is only 195 points, The WGA fare is 493 points, The AT fare is 2362 points and the BS fare is 3013 points.
Using these fares you can see that you can make A-List in 12 BS flights or 15 AT flights, but it would take 70 WGA flights and you would already be A-List Preferred (50 Flights) if you made that many. It might be worth it to you to pay the extra $15-20 for a BS ticket (about $200) and get A-List sooner.
However if you had enough credit card spend to make CP ($110,000/year less bonuses) that would also be 15,000 TQP. meaning the number of flights you need to make to get 20,000 points is reduced it would only take 7 BS flights or 9 AT flights.
You can do the math based on you particular situation.