Houston/ Transportation & Infrastructure
AI Assisted Icon
Published on November 28, 2023
Southwest Soars to Luxury, Complimentary Priority Pass Perks for Top FlyersSource: Google Street View

Southwest Airlines is shaking with a new perk to ensure top-tier customers and credit card holders feel lounge-level pampered. In a bold move sure to shake up the competitive landscape of air travel perks, Southwest is rolling out a complimentary Priority Pass membership to select customers, TheStreet reports.

Traditionally, glamorized airline lounges, complete with complimentary food, bars, and often a place to freshen up, have been the providence of the Delta's and American's of the world—not so for Southwest passengers. Until now. According to TheStreet, "Beginning Nov. 22, we’ll be surprising and delighting a select group of customers with a complimentary Priority Pass membership for a year, which will allow them and two guests per visit access to the Priority Pass lounge network."

As reported by Chron.com, the day before Thanksgiving, the airline surprised some fliers with a year-long membership to the Priority Pass network, which includes access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide. These lounges aren't simply a place to sit; they offer varying degrees of respite, from internet and phone access to game stations, refreshments, and showers to wash off the wear of travel.

While some Southwest flyers may already enjoy Priority Pass benefits via their American Express Platinum cards or similar, this new offering from Southwest could save them up to $469, the regular cost for a prestige membership. However, it's not all a free ride; a standard pass still requires a $35 visit fee, though it's unclear if Southwest's select clientele will have to pay this cover charge to enjoy their newfound luxury. "Before the pandemic, participating lounges and airport restaurants were receiving ~ $24 per swipe of a Priority Pass card,"  TheStreet reported.

Houston-Transportation & Infrastructure