How Does Southwest Credit Card Upgraded Boarding Work? | Decoded

On cards that include this perk, you pay for the boarding upgrade when it’s offered, then Chase posts a statement credit up to your yearly allowance.

Southwest boarding perks can feel mixed because the airline has been shifting from open seating to assigned seating. Some flights still use the A1–A15 idea. Some flights show seat types like Preferred and Extra Legroom. Your credit card benefit needs to match the flight style you’re actually taking.

Below you’ll get a clear explanation of the legacy A1–A15 upgrade that some Southwest credit cards reimburse, plus the newer seat-based perks that show up on assigned seating flights.

What Upgraded Boarding Is On Southwest

On legacy open-seating flights, you receive a boarding group and number at check-in. “Upgraded Boarding” is a paid add-on that moves you into one of the first 15 spots (A1 through A15) if inventory remains. Southwest’s own blog says it’s sold within 24 hours of departure, based on availability, and that sales stop close to departure time. Three Ways to Upgrade Your Boarding Position on Southwest.

Earlier boarding usually means earlier access to overhead bins and earlier seat choice when seating is open.

How Does Southwest Credit Card Upgraded Boarding Work? On A1–A15 Flights

When your Southwest credit card includes “Upgraded Boarding” credits, the standard flow is reimbursement. You buy the upgrade on your reservation, then a statement credit posts back to your card account. You usually don’t enter a promo code and you don’t need to call first.

Benefits change across card products and over time, so verify what your card offers right now. Chase’s public product pages show current benefits and footnotes that can affect timing. Chase’s Southwest Priority card page is one starting point for benefit language.

Step-By-Step: Triggering The Credit

1. Confirm credits left. Many accounts show a tracker like “used X of Y this year.”
2. Check in first. At the 24-hour mark, see your boarding number.
3. Buy only if it’s offered. The option appears only when A1–A15 spots remain.
4. Purchase through Southwest. App, website, or airport purchase paths are listed in Southwest’s upgrade overview.
5. Pay with the eligible Southwest credit card. Using a different card can block the credit.
6. Save the receipt. Keep the email confirmation or a screenshot.

Where The Upgrade Offer Usually Appears

On legacy flights, you’ll most often see the A1–A15 offer right after you check in. In the app, it can show as a prompt on your trip screen or inside the boarding pass details. On the website, it can appear as an add-on tied to the passenger on that segment.

At the airport, agents can usually tell you right away if upgrades are still for sale. If you’re short on time, asking at the counter is faster than tapping through screens.

When You’ll See The Credit

The upgrade charge will usually post after it stops pending. The statement credit often appears after that, sometimes on the next statement if you’re near a closing date.

Southwest Credit Card Upgraded Boarding Rules That Cause Confusion

Inventory Can Sell Out Fast

If A1–A15 spots are gone, there’s nothing to buy. On popular routes, the offer can disappear quickly after the 24-hour window opens.

It’s Often Per Segment

If you have a connection, treat each leg as a separate decision. You might see the upgrade on one segment and not the other, and you might need two purchases if you want earlier boarding on both legs.

Pricing Can Vary

Southwest lists ranges for optional travel charges on its official fee page. Southwest Optional Travel Charges shows that add-on pricing can vary by segment and product type.

Flight Changes Can Break The Add-On

Upgrades are add-ons. After any flight change, open your updated itinerary and confirm the upgrade still shows on the correct segment. If it disappeared, you may need a refund request and a new purchase.

How Assigned Seating Changes The Playbook

Southwest has been moving away from the A/B/C line-up toward assigned seating. On assigned seating flights, the “upgrade” you want may be seat choice, not A1–A15. Southwest’s cardmember benefits page lists seat selection perks (Preferred or Standard seats) and Extra Legroom upgrades within 48 hours on certain cards, when seats are available. Southwest Cardmember Benefits.

A simple check: if your reservation already shows a seat you like, spending money on a day-of-travel add-on usually won’t buy much. If you’re stuck with a middle seat or a far-back row and your card offers a seat upgrade window, that’s when the perk can pay off.

Table 1: after ~40%

Quick Comparison: Upgrade Paths Across Both Systems

Path	When It Shows Up	What You Get
Business Select fare	Legacy open seating	A1–A15 included in the fare
Paid Upgraded Boarding	Legacy open seating, within 24 hours	Move into A1–A15 if available
Credit card Upgraded Boarding credit	Cards that list this perk	Statement credit after purchase
EarlyBird Check-In	Legacy open seating	Auto check-in earlier than manual check-in
Preferred seat selection	Assigned seating	Pick a Preferred or Standard seat sooner, when available
Extra Legroom seat upgrade	Assigned seating	Move into Extra Legroom within 48 hours, when available
Tier-based boarding groups	Assigned seating	Earlier boarding group tied to tier and seat type
Day-of-travel purchase offers	Varies by flight	Last-minute paid options when Southwest offers them

How To Tell Which One Applies To Your Trip

Open your boarding pass preview in the Southwest app. If you see a boarding group letter and a number, you’re on the legacy flow. If you see a seat assignment and a numbered boarding group, you’re on the assigned seating flow.

• Legacy flow: decide after check-in, based on your boarding number and the A1–A15 offer.
• Assigned seating: pick a seat early, then check again inside the 48-hour window if your card offers an Extra Legroom upgrade.

Timing Moves That Get The Most Value

Decide After You Check In

On legacy flights, check in at the 24-hour mark first. If you landed late and the upgrade offer is still there, buying A1–A15 can change your outcome. If you already landed early, you may be paying for little.

Use Credits When Bin Space Matters

If you travel with a carry-on that can’t be gate-checked easily, earlier boarding can help. Save credits for fuller flights and busy seasons.

On Assigned Seating Flights, Choose First

If your card offers seat selection at booking, grab the best available seat early. Then re-check inside the 48-hour window for an Extra Legroom move if seats remain. Southwest’s own benefit page spells out which cards get which seat perks. Assigned seating card perks.

Common Snags And Straight Fixes

The Credit Didn’t Post

• Confirm you paid with the eligible Southwest credit card.
• Confirm you had credits left in the current anniversary cycle.
• Confirm the charge posted as a Southwest purchase.

If a full billing cycle passed after the charge posted, call Chase with the receipt and ask them to review the purchase under your card benefits.

You Never Saw The Offer

On legacy flights, this is usually sold-out inventory. Try checking soon after you check in, then again later; inventory can return if someone cancels an upgrade.

You Changed Flights After Buying The Upgrade

After a change, check the new segment in your itinerary and confirm the add-on still shows. If it’s gone, you may need a refund request and a repurchase.

Table 2: after ~60%

Scenario Table: What To Do In The Moment

Situation	Move	Watch For
Legacy flight, late B or any C number	Check for A1–A15 offer and use a credit if you want earlier boarding	Inventory can sell out fast
Legacy flight, early A already	Skip the purchase	Save credits for tougher days
Two-leg itinerary	Decide per segment	Two legs can mean two purchases
Assigned seating flight, you want a better seat	Use seat selection at booking, then check the 48-hour upgrade window	Seats can run out
Assigned seating flight, you like your seat	Do nothing	Keep credits for other trips
Travel day flight change	Re-check add-ons and seat perks on the new segment	Add-ons may not transfer
Carry-on plus tight turn at the gate	Lean toward earlier boarding on legacy flights	Busy routes sell upgrades early

Pre-Flight Checklist

• Confirm whether your flight is legacy open seating or assigned seating by checking the boarding pass preview.
• Read your card’s benefit wording in your Chase account so you know whether you’re dealing with A1–A15 credits or seat perks.
• On legacy flights, check in at the 24-hour mark, then decide based on your boarding number and the upgrade offer.
• On assigned seating flights, pick your seat early, then re-check inside the 48-hour window if your card includes Extra Legroom upgrades.