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Southwest Airlines Adding Seating Perk for Credit Cardholders
As Southwest Airlines continues to overhaul its brand and policies, the carrier is bringing a new perk to its co-branded credit cards.
About the New Seating Benefit:
This week, Southwest unveiled another perk that travelers with one of its credit cards will enjoy when the airline’s updated planes roll out. Soon, select cardholders will have a leg up when it comes to claiming new Extra Legroom seats (located in the front of the cabin and in the exit rows) and other seating options.
First, those with the $69 annual fee Rapid Rewards Plus Card will be able to book a Standard seat within 48 hours of departure, regardless of what fare type they select. For those with the $99 Rapid Rewards Premier Card, this benefit will also include Preferred seating during the same 48-hour window when available. Finally, the $149 Rapid Rewards Priority Card will allow passengers on any fare to choose a Standard or Preferred seat at booking. Additionally, these cardholders may be able to upgrade to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure if available. Each of these perks will apply to the primary cardholders as well as up to eight additional travel companions on the same reservation (for a total of up to nine seats).
For context, the seating benefit that Rapid Rewards Priority cardholders will receive matches what will be offered to A-List status members. However, those with A-List Preferred status will be able to select Extra Legroom seats at the time of booking rather than waiting until 48 hours before departure.
These seat-booking perks will debut when Southwest rolls out its assigned seating operations. Ahead of that, cardholders will continue to enjoy free checked bags even after the airline largely discontinues the feature. When the airline begins charging for checked bags on May 28th, those with any Southwest co-branded card will be able to get their first checked bag for free. What’s more, this benefit is extended to the cardholders and up to eight additional passengers on their reservation.
My Thoughts:
Once again, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card really sounds like the best deal among the co-branded options. At just $149, it seems worth the upgrade in order to select Preferred seats at booking — and have a chance at snagging an Extra Legroom seat before departure. At the same time, families who travel on Southwest may want to consider one of these cards (even the $69 annual fee Plus card) in order to avoid checked bag fees going forward.
Of course, since Southwest has yet to announce pricing for checked baggage or seating selection, it’s hard to say exactly how much these perks are worth. Still, when all is said and done, I suspect these Rapid Rewards cards will prove to be a good value… at least until they get overhauled as well.
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Other Articles by Kyle Burbank
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