Southwest Airways is making some modifications to its Fast Rewards program, largely affecting the Companion Move.
These modifications happen firstly of subsequent 12 months, in keeping with an electronic mail Fast Rewards members obtained from the Dallas-based service Friday.
Right here is every thing it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the upcoming Companion Move modifications.
Southwest Companion Move modifications
Southwest’s Companion Move is a extremely intriguing choice for vacationers who regularly fly with a accomplice. The move means that you can convey your touring accomplice alongside for free of charge, on as many flights as you’d like so long as the move is legitimate.
You’ll be able to earn a Companion Move by way of a few completely different avenues, together with incomes a steep variety of Fast Rewards factors inside a 12 months’s time, or by way of the welcome provide related to some Southwest co-branded bank cards.
There are some tweaks to the coverage for subsequent 2023, although.
Incomes necessities altering
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, Southwest is elevating the qualifying benchmark for the Companion Move from 125,000 factors to 135,000 factors.
Fast Rewards members may also be capable to earn the Companion Move by flying not less than 100 qualifying flights with Southwest.
In terms of the 135,000 factors, although, do not forget that incomes by way of air journey is barely one of many methods you may work your approach towards the brink. Spending with Southwest companions — like on the airways buying portal — or spending on a co-branded bank card can increase your progress towards incomes the move.
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There may be one piece of fine information, although: Whereas Southwest is elevating the qualifying benchmark for the Companion Move by 10,000 factors, cobranded credit score cardholders will get a ten,000-point increase both firstly of the 12 months for current cardholders or inside 30 days of opening an account for brand new members.
It is price noting that Southwest final raised the Companion Move necessities from 110,000 factors to 125,000 factors in 2019.
New boarding guidelines
One other change to the Companion Move guidelines taking impact firstly of the brand new 12 months must be excellent news: Companion move holders and their companions can now board collectively.
This could make it simpler to discover a place to take a seat with out worrying about saving a seat (or not less than making an attempt to) whereas the companion waits to board.
There are a few exceptions to this allowance: Companions received’t be allowed to board with the passholder if the passholder bought a Enterprise Choose fare or upgraded boarding, or if the companion was added after they had been already assigned a boarding place.
Once more, this begins on Jan. 1, 2023.
Associated: All the things it’s worthwhile to learn about the perfect seats on Southwest Airways
Extra methods to redeem Southwest factors
Southwest additionally teased members getting new methods to earn and redeem Fast Rewards factors beginning in 2023, although the service didn’t specify what these avenues could be.
It is going to be fascinating to see what these new incomes and redemption choices are. We might see new partnerships, revamped bank cards or different giant modifications to this system. That stated, we’re hopeful that this does not come as a devaluation to this system, as we have seen with different airline loyalty applications over the previous two years.
After all, TPG shall be watching to see what different modifications could be coming to the Fast Rewards program.
Associated: Your full information to maximizing Southwest Fast Rewards
Backside line
Southwest’s modifications to its Fast Rewards program for 2023 are a little bit of a combined bag for members: Whereas the brink for incomes the Companion Move is getting steeper, these with co-branded bank cards will instantly see the distinction made up. Additional, the boarding course of ought to typically get a bit easier for these utilizing a Companion Move.
