Open seating is on its way out.
Additionally, Southwest Airlines just announced that, starting on July 29, 2025, passengers will have the option to select (or not select) a seat during the booking cess.
At the same time, Seat assignments will be available for flights departing on and after Jan.
Nevertheless, The same day, Southwest will also introduce a group-based boarding cess similar to other airlines.
On the other hand, Currently, Southwest has an open seating tocol, where passengers choose a seat based on availability after boarding.
However, The change could be good news for Southwest credit cardholders and those with Rapid Rewards elite, who will get access to early seat selection, seat upgrades and preferred boarding.
Nevertheless, But if you don’t fall into one of those, you’ll ly be paying more for those benefits, in light of current trends.
The data indicates that se changes, part of a larger brand overhaul, were initially announced by Southwest in April.
Moreover, In contrast, » MORE: What are your Southwest points worth now, in today's financial world. Furthermore, What should you expect from the “new” Southwest.
Boarding cessFor flights beginning on Jan (fascinating analysis), in today's financial world. 27, 2026, Southwest will no longer assign a group letter and position number for boarding at check-in.
Rather, you’ll receive a boarding group number between 1 and 8 that’s tied to your loyalty or the fare class of your ticket, similar to other airlines.
Furthermore, When you arrive at the gate, you’ll then queue for boarding when your group number is called, along with everyone else in that group, in today's financial world.
Seat selectionNew seat typesHistorically, nearly every seat on a Southwest plane was the same size, with no first class or cabin.
Additionally, But Southwest is retrofitting their planes with different seat types.
Those new seats are associated with new fare classes:Standard seats with standard legroom located near the back of the plane (something worth watching).
In contrast, These seats have 1 inch less pitch than Southwest’s old seats (pitch is the distance between your seat and the seat in front of it).
Moreover, Preferred seats with standard legroom located between the middle and front of the plane, also with less pitch than the old seats.
Extra legroom seats with five extra inches of seat pitch located near the front of the plane and in exit rows.
New fare types and what you getThe seats available at booking will depend on the fare class you select:Basic (replacing Wanna Get Away): Seat assigned at check-in; boards in Groups 6–8, toward the back of the plane, given the current landscape.
However, Moreover, Choice (replacing Wanna Get Away Plus): Select standard seat at booking; boards in Groups 6–8.
Choice Preferred (replacing Anytime): Select a preferred or standard seat at booking; boards no later than Group 5, in today's financial world.
Moreover, Choice Extra (replacing Select): Select an extra legroom, preferred or standard seat at booking; boards no later than Groups 1–2.
Moreover, More benefits for Rapid Rewards elitesIn the new system, elites in Southwest’s Rapid Rewards gram will get access to complimentary upgrades and preferred boarding.
On the other hand, The analysis reveals benefits vary by :Elite Seat upgrade accessWhen is the upgrade available. Additionally, Boarding groupA-ListPreferred seats at booking.
Extra legroom seats (if available). Preferred seats at booking. Extra legroom seats 48 hours before departure, if available (noteworthy indeed). Preferred and Standard seats: Group 5 or earlier.
However, Extra legroom seats: Group 1 or 2. A-List PreferredPreferred and extra legroom seats. On the other hand, Moreover, At booking. Additionally, No later than Group 2, amid market uncertainty.
Nevertheless, More benefits for Southwest cardholders All Southwest credit cardholders will receive preferred boarding in Group 5 and a seat-selection benefit during booking, even with Basic fares.
However, In some cases, they’ll also be able to choose a seat ahead of time and get a Preferred seat. Card nameSeat selection typeWhen is seat selection available.
Fare class requirementSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. Standard seat, given current economic conditions. Within 48 hours of departure. Moreover, Any fare class.
On the other hand, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, in today's financial world. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. Standard or Preferred seat (quite telling).
However, In contrast, Within 48 hours of departure. Any fare class, given the current landscape. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
Furthermore, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Credit Card, in today's financial world. At the same time, Standard or Preferred seat (this bears monitoring). At booking. Any fare class.
What the Companion Pass.
However, Moreover, The Southwest Companion Pass gram remains largely the same as before, with a few new details that explain how the pass works with recent changes, in today's market environment.
Additionally, Starting July 29, 2025, travelers using a Companion Pass can book their companion into the same fare class as their primary ticket for flights beginning Jan (something worth watching), in light of current trends.
On the other hand, Companions will also receive the same tier member seating and checked bag benefits as the primary traveler. At the same time, (More on that below, amid market uncertainty.
) Southwest hasn't announced any major changes to the Companion Pass, which you receive by earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.
As before, the fastest way to earn points toward a Companion Pass is with a Southwest credit card sign-up bonus (this bears monitoring).
Southwest credit cardsSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardNerdWallet RatingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team, amid market uncertainty.
Moreover, The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
Moreover, Apply nowon Chase's websiteRates & FeesSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardNerdWallet RatingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team, given current economic conditions.
The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
At the same time, Apply nowon Chase's websiteRates & FeesAnnual fee$149 (fascinating analysis).
Welcome offerEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (noteworthy indeed).
Conversely, Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, given the current landscape.
Nevertheless, Learn more Read ReviewRead ReviewWhat these changes mean for travelersWhile a lot of this news was previously announced, we now have a defined date when the changes will be implemented.
Nevertheless, Similar to other airlines, Southwest’s new model is built around perks for elites and credit card holders, viding those passengers not only with seat selection and boarding benefits, but also a free checked bag for up to eight passengers on a reservation made by the elite member or primary cardholder, given the current landscape.
Nevertheless, Those travelers might see Southwest’s new model as a win, given the current landscape.
But if you don’t have or a Southwest credit card, you’ll bably now see Southwest for what it has become: just another airline.
Moreover, This demonstrates that information the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been vided or reviewed by the card issuer, in this volatile climate.
How to maximize your rewardsYou want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you.
Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2025:Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardNo annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardBonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express travelers: Ink Preferred® Credit Card the authorCraig JosephCraig Joseph is a NerdWallet authority on credit cards and travel rewards.
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