WeSalute Spotlight: Southwest Airlines 2027 Rapid Rewards Updates & The Triple Stack Travel Hack

As a member of our WeSalute community — whether you serve in the military, work as a first responder, or dedicate your life to healthcare and public service — you know the value of a well-deserved getaway. When it comes to booking those trips, maximizing your rewards and minimizing your out-of-pocket costs is essential.

That is why we are keeping a close eye on Southwest Airlines. Starting January 1, 2027, Southwest is rolling out a massive refresh of its popular Rapid Rewards® program. Below, we break down the exciting new tiers, the new perks coming to the fleet, and exactly how you can use our WeSalute Travel platform to "triple stack" your rewards every time you fly.

1. The New Rapid Rewards Program (Effective Jan. 1, 2027)

Southwest designed these changes to recognize frequent travelers more often and make it easier to track and enjoy your benefits. While the core perks you love — like no blackout dates, points that never expire, and free WiFi for eligible T-Mobile® customers — are here to stay, the tier structure is getting a major upgrade:

• A-List Becomes Silver: The entry-level elite status gets a fresh name and updated progress tracking.
• A-List Preferred Becomes Gold: Mid-tier flyers will enjoy enhanced earning rates and priority perks under the new Gold banner.
• The All-New Platinum Tier: Southwest is introducing a brand-new top tier. The highlight? Platinum members will unlock unlimited Companion Pass® trips, allowing a designated friend or family member to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees on every single flight.
• Milestone Rewards: You will no longer have to wait until you hit a new tier to get rewarded. Travelers will now earn Milestone Rewards as they reach specific levels of flight activity throughout the year.

2. More Major Upgrades Coming Throughout 2027

The updated tier system is just the beginning. Southwest has announced several massive enhancements rolling out through the rest of 2027 to make your flights faster, more comfortable, and globally connected:

• Global Partner Airlines (Spring 2027): For the first time, you will be able to earn and redeem Rapid Rewards points on international travel with partner airlines, opening up destinations across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
• Starlink WiFi (Fall 2027): Southwest is expected to be the first major U.S. airline to complete a fleet-wide rollout of Starlink, giving you access to the fastest internet in the sky.
• Points for Seat Selection (Late 2027): You will soon be able to use your Rapid Rewards points to purchase specific seat selections, including Extra Legroom and Preferred seating.
• Southwest Icon Lounges (Late 2027): Southwest is launching its first-ever airport lounge network. Access will be unlocked through a new premium Southwest® credit card in partnership with Chase.

3. Maximize Your Southwest Flights with the WeSalute "Triple Stack"

With these incredible new Southwest tiers and global partnerships on the horizon, every flight you take matters. But did you know that booking your flights directly on Southwest.com means you are leaving valuable rewards on the table?

When you book your airfare through our private WeSalute Travel platform, you can easily search for Southwest flights and use our ultimate travel hack: the "Triple Stack."

Here is how you can earn three different types of rewards simultaneously on a single flight booking:

1. Use a Rewards Credit Card: Purchase your airfare on WeSalute Travel with a personal credit card (like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card or your favorite bank travel card) to earn your standard credit card points.
2. Include Your Rapid Rewards Number: Enter your Southwest frequent flyer number during the booking process on our portal. You will earn your Rapid Rewards points directly from the airline, keeping you on track to hit those new Silver, Gold, or Platinum tiers.
3. Earn WeSalute Rewards Credits: This is the game-changer. Because you booked through WeSalute Travel, you will automatically earn WeSalute loyalty points. Airline bookings earn 1.25 Reward Credits per $1 spent.

As your WeSalute Reward Credits accumulate, you can redeem them like cash toward eligible discounted or free travel in the future. In fact, fully covered free vacations start at just 35,000 points!

The Ultimate Bonus: Earn $100 Every Time You Fly

The perks don't stop at the Triple Stack. We want to reward you just for experiencing the ease of booking your entire itinerary in one place. That is why you will automatically earn a $100 Savings Credits Bonus every single time your WeSalute Travel reservation includes a flight. You can take this bonus and apply it directly toward the cost of your next hotel, cruise, or car rental booking — instantly driving down your out-of-pocket costs even further.

Start Stacking on Your Next Trip

Whether your next destination is a quick domestic flight to visit family or a long-haul journey overseas, flying no longer means choosing between airline miles and portal loyalty points. By leveraging the WeSalute Travel Triple Stack, every single dollar you spend works three times as hard to fund your next getaway.

Log in to your WeSalute account today, navigate to the WeSalute Travel platform, and start maximizing your benefits for your next adventure!