Double Tier Qualifying Point on Southwest

A few weeks ago Southwest announced a great promotion where you could earn double points on all Southwest flights. In addition to that promotion, those flying to/from Milwaukee would receive double TQPs (Tier Qualifying Points). Starting yesterday, all flights through May 15 will be eligible for the double TQP bonus.

If you have already registered for the Nationwide Double Points promotion, no additional action is required to earn double TQPs. However, if you have yet to register, register now! Unfortunately, only flights that were booked post February 4, 2013 (when the original promotion was announced) will count for both promotions (one of my biggest pet peeves with Southwest).

So what exactly are Tier Qualifying Points?

TQP’s help you earn Southwest status. They are earned from revenue flights only, not those using points or free flight credits.

• A-List Status: Must earn 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year – this will get you priority boarding, priority check-in, standby priority, and 25% bonus on all points earned
• A-List Preferred Status: Must earn 70,000 TQPs or 50 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year – this will get you all the benefits of regular A-List status members, flight free in-flight WiFi and a 100% bonus on all points earned

So overall, A-List status isn’t amazing, but it does get you bonus points and some other benefits. The real benefit for status in general is the potential for upgrades, but all seats on Southwest flights are the same.