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I recently received an email from Southwest Airlines titled. “On a reservation with an A-List or A-List Preferred Member? I opened it to find the details below.
- Starting March 12 anyone traveling on the same reservation as an A-List or A-List Preferred member will be able to board when they do.
What’s Changed?
This is a really nice option for groups traveling together. One reason Southwest is such a great choice for families is due to the family boarding process along with these other reasons. However, it is not always as easy for those without kids to get in the early boarding groups.
With the Southwest boarding policy, A-List or A-List Preferred members would often “save” seats for traveling companions. While this is not technically allowed on Southwest flights, I have seen it done on almost every single flight.
This will make it less awkward for A-List and A-List Preferred members who quite often are some of Southwest’s best customers which should improve their overall travel experience. Unfortunately, those who have the Companion Pass and are A-List or A-List Preferred will not benefit from this change. Since the Companion Pass companion is on a different reservation number with Southwest, they will not be able board at the same time as the A-List or A-List Preferred member.
How Do I Earn Status on Southwest?
If you don’t have A-List or A-List Preferred status on Southwest you can often status match from another airline. Here are the details. For terms and conditions on A-List or A-List Preferred, the Companion Pass or the Rapid Rewards Program click here.
What are your thoughts on this new Southwest program update? Is it good or bad for travelers? Let us know in the comments!
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
It’s not a bonus for people who use their companion pass. Companion reservations are always on a different PNR and are ineligible for this benefit, as counterintuitive to the spirit of the policy as that may seem.
I can confirm this. Before a flight Saturday 3/14, I asked about my companion boarding with me and was told policy change does not apply to companion pass holders. Disappointing that the most loyal of Southwest fans get excluded from this benefit.
Brian and Andrew, thanks for the heads up on this! I adjusted the post based on your feedback. I agree that it is very disappointing for Companion Pass holders to have to still “reserve” the seats on flights.
This change SUCKS for frequent Priority travellers. Anyone in front of you who pulls those in with them is essentially bumping you back.
That’s a valid point and I could see it being really annoying if they have multiple people with them.
Since it has to be the same reservation this is problematic when you use points to book a kid or two, companion pass for spouse, and cash for yourself, so in essence 3 reservations, so doesn’t really help all that much.