Southwest Airlines Elite Status and Companion Pass Extensions

Following the news and updates around the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines were forced to suspend or reduce their daily operations. We have the latest information from airlines and hotels all around the world. Many frequent flyer programs are extending qualification for their elite statuses and more.

Southwest Airlines Elite Status and Companion Pass Extensions

One of the biggest North American carriers, Southwest, finally announced updates regarding tier extension, status boost, and travel funds. Good news for all the Companion pass holders, Southwest will be extending Companion Passes due to expire this year. The carrier will extend elite status, the validity of some travel vouchers. Additionally, travel voucher holders will have the option to convert them to Rapid Rewards points. From the official announcement:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand Customers might be uncertain about their travel plans in the months ahead. While we might not be connecting with you in person right now, today and every day as the airline with Heart, we can share our love and support. In that spirit, we are extending the benefits earned by our current tier status Members and Companion Pass holders and the expiration date of select travel funds.

Elite Status Extension

A-List and A-List Preferred Members that earned A-List or A-List Preferred status through December 31, 2020, without a promotion, will have the option to extend their current earned status through December 31, 2021. As for the members that enrolled in a promotion and gained A-List status or challenging a Member to extend promotional A-List statuses such as Status Match, Tier Challenge, Tier Experience, or a Corporate Status Challenge that met the flight requirements by the promotion end date can have their status extended through December 31, 2021. Keep in mind that if you did not meet the flight requirements by the promotion end date Southwest is allowing an extension to do so until October 30, 2020. Southwest also announced reduced requirements for earning elite status.

Companion Pass Extension

All current Rapid Rewards Companion Pass holders that earned Companion Pass through December 31, 2020, without any type of promotion will have their benefits extended through June 30, 2021. Both elite status and companion Pass requirements are being reduced. No action will be needed from your part, Southwest will deposit the qualifying points and segments into your account automatically. Southwest will add the following for their members:

• 15,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs)
• 10 qualifying one-way flight segments toward tier status
• 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points (CPQPs)
• 25 qualifying one-way flight segments toward Companion Pass

Option to convert select travel funds into Rapid Rewards points

For members that have travel funds set to expire or funds that are created between March 1, 2020, and September 7, 2020, they will have the option to convert those travel funds into Rapid Rewards points. You will be able to convert these funds at the same rate you would be able to purchase a ticket with points today.

Travel Funds

Southwest Airlines will extend the validity of credits that were due expire or that were recently created. Usually, travel funds that have expired or were due to expire between March 1 and June 30, 2020, had an expiration date of June 30, 2021. Now, the carrier will extend the expiration date for these travel funds. Funds that were set to expire or funds that are created between March 1, 2020, and September 7, 2020, will now have an expiration date of September 7, 2022.