Point Me To First Class · Monday, October 26, 2026
Katie explains that under Southwest's new loyalty program rules taking effect in 2027, travelers will need to accumulate 140,000 tier qualifying points primarily through $140,000 of direct credit card spending, as referral bonuses and welcome offers will no longer count.
“In order to get to the platinum level, you have to have 140,000 tier qualifying points.”
“At this point, referrals will not count as tier qualifying points and bonuses will not count as tier qualifying points. That... I consider, unless we see rule changes again, but as of what they've told us now, as of January 1st, 2027, It's using welcome bonuses and referrals and those other methods. Southwest hotels, all that is dead as of January 1st, 2027 with no loopholes yet.”