Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The exception though is if you have the Credit Card you can pick up these things. If you only fly once a year it might not be worth it but if you do multiple times or have multiple people on the reservation it can certainly pay for itself.

Do we know how much Priority Boarding is? That doesn't go towards seat selection but does push someone up on boarding

 

[eticketplease]

Thanks. We do have a basic Southwest card so I’ll check into it.

The basic one gives boarding group 5

The new boarding is
Groups 1-2: A-List Preferred status, Choice Extra ticket, Those with Extra Legroom Seats (Includes those who upgrade)
Groups 3-5: A-List Status, Choice Preferred ticket, SW Credit Card holders who are not in the higher tier.
Groups 6-8: Choice Ticket and Basic ticket who are not in the higher tier via upgrade/CC

Unfortunately you won't be able to pick a seat until 48 hours in advance with that card but you should be able to secure overhead bin space.

 

[eticketplease]

Do we know how much Priority Boarding is? That doesn't go towards seat selection but does push someone up on boarding

I'm not sure how they will be or when they are offered.

When I click on "upgrade" it is only for seat selection apparently.

 

[huskies90]

I have the SWA Priority Card and haven't spent enough for all of my $75 annual travel credit to apply to my account. From what I understand, this benefit will expire 12/31/25, even though my card doesn't AF doesn't charge me until May 2026. Is that right? I am thinking about just upgrading from a priority seat to an extra legroom seat so we can use it up and not let it waste. Will that work to get the credit back? Also, can flight credits be used to pay for upgrading seats?

Presumably the seat upgrade will work, but so will buying a SW gift card directly from the SW site. That's what I've done when I needed to hit the $75 before I had natural spend coming up, and then that GC can be used for the taxes and fees on points bookings or for cash bookings.

I am in the same boat - SWA Priority card and I have a flight on 12/28? How can I check how much of the $75 I have left?? And also, how many priority upgrades are left??

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I am in the same boat - SWA Priority card and I have a flight on 12/28? How can I check how much of the $75 I have left?? And also, how many priority upgrades are left??

I track that all in my bill payment spreadsheet because I don't see an obvious way to see those things on the portal. Maybe someone else here knows exactly where to go?

Or, you can just look at 12 months of statements. The Credits section is at the top before charges, so you can look quickly to see if you had any credits each cycle above and beyond your monthly payment.

 

[Tink3815]

Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly.

My husband has a premier southwest card. If he is allowed to upgrade to the Priority Card at 229 annual fee, he can purchase basic fares with points and choose standard or preferrred seats for free at the time of booking. He would be able to choose for everyone on the reservation for no exta fee up to 4 people. By doing this, if we needed to cancel we would not have to worry about getting credits
for buying seats at time of purchase and then canceling. We fly 3 to 4 round trips a year so I think that it may be worth going from a 149 to 229 annual fee.


Complimentary Preferred seat at booking - Select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking, at no additional charge, valued, on average, at $70 round trip, when available - for a group of 4, this could mean an average savings of $280 round trip. For flights operating with assigned seating in 2026 and beyond

 

[LoveToDisney]

Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly.

My husband has a premier southwest card. If he is allowed to upgrade to the Priority Card at 229 annual fee, he can purchase basic fares with points and choose standard or preferrred seats for free at the time of booking. He would be able to choose for everyone on the reservation for no exta fee up to 4 people. By doing this, if we needed to cancel we would not have to worry about getting credits
for buying seats at time of purchase and then canceling. We fly 3 to 4 round trips a year so I think that it may be worth going from a 149 to 229 annual fee.


Complimentary Preferred seat at booking - Select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking, at no additional charge, valued, on average, at $70 round trip, when available - for a group of 4, this could mean an average savings of $280 round trip. For flights operating with assigned seating in 2026 and beyond

I did exactly what you are proposing but upgraded from plus to priority cc. I needed preferred seats and it was cheaper to pay the priority annual fee and save on points with the basic fare than buying the higher fare class or paying for seats.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I have SWVRR … I guess that yearly fee will also increase …
All these corporations needing more money and extra fees make me want to stay home almost.
There are 5 major TravelChanges to be aware of for 2026.
SW is just one major change
Passport renewals online unless your passport has expired .
Noise Pollution Goal in terminal will reduce announcements to alert travelers .
Be aware of gate / time changes
I forgot the other 2 …

 

[eticketplease]

Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly.

My husband has a premier southwest card. If he is allowed to upgrade to the Priority Card at 229 annual fee, he can purchase basic fares with points and choose standard or preferrred seats for free at the time of booking. He would be able to choose for everyone on the reservation for no exta fee up to 4 people. By doing this, if we needed to cancel we would not have to worry about getting credits
for buying seats at time of purchase and then canceling. We fly 3 to 4 round trips a year so I think that it may be worth going from a 149 to 229 annual fee.


Complimentary Preferred seat at booking - Select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking, at no additional charge, valued, on average, at $70 round trip, when available - for a group of 4, this could mean an average savings of $280 round trip. For flights operating with assigned seating in 2026 and beyond

I'm not sure there is a limit but of course free bags is limited to a total of 9 (8 + the cardholder)

We have booked basic tickets and used this benefit to grab our preferred seats for spring break

 

[eticketplease]

I have SWVRR … I guess that yearly fee will also increase …

What card is that?
There are 5 cards (3 Personal & 2 Business) and the AF went up this year I don't believe they will go up until the lounges start to open at least.