Southwest replaces A-List with new loyalty tiers, adds international rewards

Southwest Airlines is undergoing a significant overhaul of its loyalty program, announced to take effect beginning January 1, 2024. The airline will discontinue the existing A-List frequent flyer tiers and introduce three new loyalty tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Passengers earning Companion Pass benefits will now accrue points based on their spending rather than flight activity alone. Southwest also unveiled new international reward charts offering increased redemption values for flights to destinations outside North America. These changes represent a substantial shift in Southwest’s approach to customer rewards and are designed to attract a broader range of travelers.