Southwest Airlines is making changes to its Quick Rewards Program for 2025, making it a little easier for customers to earn points and progress toward A-List elite status.

Specifically, the Dallas-based carrier is adjusting its exchange of money + points configuration that debuted last spring.

Beginning on flights operated on January 1, 2025, customers will be able to earn Rapid Rewards points for the paid portion of their joint cash and points bookings.

In the future, the cash portion of these reservations will also earn Tier Qualification Points for A-List and A-List Preferred elite statusplus qualifying credit toward Southwest’s coveted Companion Pass.

The changes will apply to flights operated from 4:00 a.m. EST on January 1, 2025 and beyond.

Earn Money on Southwest Points and Cash Redemptions

It’s a small but friendly adjustment for Southwest that comes months after the carrier began allowing cash + points redemptions. These allow customers who don’t have enough points for a full redemption to cover part of their flight with points, while paying out of pocket in cash for the rest.

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However, Southwest currently does not allow travelers to earn points or elite credits on the paid portion of these tickets – meaning that with these reservations, you currently face the inconveniences inherent in redeeming rewards (not income points or elite credit) without the benefit of earning money on the money you spend.

This should now improve for customers in the South West when the calendar turns to the new year. Members will then be able to accumulate income on the portion paid at the base rate of these tickets.

This change to the Rapid Rewards program comes at a time of massive change in the Southwest. The airline recently showed off the inner workings of its plans to abandon its long-standing open seating policy and presents its very first seats with more legroom.

However, the carrier has so far revealed few changes to its loyalty program for 2025. We expect a bigger overhaul of the program as we approach 2026, when Southwest plans to officially roll out its seat changes (and boarding process).

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