Ok so you are saying then they get rid of the SDC benefit for elites? Or they think we are dumb enough to realize it isn’t actually a benefit anymore but still say it is?

Without SDC what benefits for a list preferred are really left? Seat selection. Double points earn. Free drinks and internet.

overall pretty lightweight for top tier.

my point comes down to the fact that EVERYONE buying a non basic fare gets SDC so it’s impossible for that to be an elite benefit if it doesn’t apply to basic. It makes sense to give elites an additional benefit and SDC for basic is the only way they can do that. Unless they remove SDC from WGA+ but they have it in the updated fare charts so….

I can’t find any definitive statement On this so I guess we’ll just find out eventually

You are assuming SDC is sticking around. I can see the next round of Southwest announced "improvements," the airline getting rid of it and only allowing Anytime and Business Select SDC, to increase the product differentiation.

SDC was much more valuable when the flights were not 5 hours apart.

It’s super valuable when you can buy the 10:30pm flight for $80 and SDC to a 3pm flight that would have cost upwards of $249.

Again that flexibility thing.

Sometimes you don't know how long you'll be somewhere, and just book the latest flight home to give yourself as much room as possible. But if you are able to leave earlier the SDC benefit was always appreciated. We will see what happens with that.

SDC is still extremely valuable for me in many connecting scenarios. It is valuable when you are flying routes with many planes per day. Not much value on routes with only 1-2 planes a day.

Sounds like A+ will get free extra leg room seats. And how could anyone forget, free checked bags.