That language is unintelligible. Under other programs some miles count for status and some don't but they are all redeemable. Southwest has points, companion qualifing points and tier qualifing points, which also count towards companion pass but all are redeemable for flights. The only exception is special tier qualifying points sometines offered for sale to people who barely missed qualifying for the basic level of status which are not redeemable but since you have to buy a minimum number of points it's basically a buy up.