Ever wondered if there's a way to elevate your Southwest Airlines experience beyond the usual free-for-all boarding? The answer is yes, and it's called Business Select. While Southwest is famous for its unique boarding process, many travelers are unaware of the perks and benefits offered by this premium fare option. Understanding what Business Select entails can significantly impact your travel comfort, convenience, and overall experience, especially if you're a frequent flyer or have specific travel needs.
Choosing the right fare on Southwest can be a game-changer. Business Select not only offers priority boarding, ensuring you snag your preferred seat, but it also comes with extra Rapid Rewards points, a complimentary premium drink, and access to the "Fly By" security lane (where available). For business travelers, families, or anyone who values a smoother travel day, weighing the advantages of Business Select against the cost is essential for making an informed decision that aligns with your budget and priorities. Skipping it, or worse, paying for it when its not useful is a waste of money and opportunity.
Is Southwest Business Select Right For Me?
What perks come with Southwest Business Select?
Southwest Airlines Business Select is their premium fare option, offering several perks designed to enhance the travel experience. These primarily include priority boarding (guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position), a complimentary premium drink, and earn more Rapid Rewards points.
Business Select is positioned above their Anytime and Wanna Get Away fares, giving travelers tangible advantages. The guaranteed early boarding ensures access to the best available seat selection, which can be particularly valuable for those with specific seating preferences or who need overhead bin space. The included premium drink offers a small indulgence, while the accelerated Rapid Rewards earning helps frequent flyers accumulate points more quickly towards future travel rewards. The additional Rapid Rewards points earned with Business Select are significant. You earn 12 points per dollar spent compared to 10 points per dollar for Anytime fares and 6 points per dollar for Wanna Get Away fares. If you often purchase last-minute flights where pricing is high, earning an extra 2 points (or 6 points) per dollar can quickly add up.How much more does Business Select cost?
The cost of Business Select on Southwest Airlines varies significantly based on the route, day of the week, time of booking, and overall demand. It can range from an additional $30 to $130+ per one-way flight compared to the cheapest available Wanna Get Away fare. There is no fixed premium, as pricing is dynamic and fluctuates with market conditions.
While it's difficult to provide an exact figure, the difference in price often reflects the premium benefits offered. These benefits include priority boarding (guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position), a free premium drink, and bonus Rapid Rewards points. The higher the demand for these benefits, the greater the price difference between Business Select and other fare classes. The best way to determine the exact cost difference is to compare the prices of all available fare options (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select) directly on the Southwest Airlines website or mobile app when booking your flight. This will provide the most accurate reflection of the current pricing for your specific travel itinerary.Is Business Select worth it for early boarding?
Whether Business Select is worth it for early boarding depends entirely on your personal priorities and budget. If securing a specific seat location, especially with a group, or needing overhead bin space is crucial, then Business Select's guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position can be a worthwhile investment. However, if you're flexible with seating and can arrive early enough to attempt securing a decent boarding position through other means (like online check-in exactly 24 hours before departure), then the added cost of Business Select may not be justified.
Business Select provides a guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position, which essentially puts you near the front of the line to select your seat. This can be particularly advantageous on popular flights or routes where overhead bin space fills up quickly. Families traveling together or individuals with specific seating preferences (window, aisle, near the front) often find this benefit highly valuable. However, consider that Southwest also offers other ways to improve your boarding position, such as purchasing EarlyBird Check-In or obtaining A-List or A-List Preferred status through frequent flying. Ultimately, the "worth" of Business Select's early boarding is subjective. Compare the price difference between Business Select and the cheaper fare options for your specific flight. Then weigh that cost against the value you place on securing your desired seat and overhead bin space, and the potential convenience of avoiding the stress of a competitive boarding process. For some, the peace of mind is worth the extra expense, while others may find alternative strategies more cost-effective.What is the difference between Business Select and Anytime fares?
The main difference between Business Select and Anytime fares on Southwest Airlines lies in the priority boarding, drink perks, and Rapid Rewards point earning bonus offered with Business Select. While both fares offer fully refundable tickets and no change fees, Business Select provides guaranteed A1-A15 boarding, a complimentary premium drink, and earns the most Rapid Rewards points compared to Anytime fares.
Business Select is designed for travelers prioritizing getting on the plane first to secure their preferred seating location. The guaranteed A1-A15 boarding positions remove the anxiety of potentially being stuck in a middle seat towards the back of the plane. The complimentary premium drink is a minor perk, but it adds to the overall experience. Furthermore, the higher Rapid Rewards point earning rate, typically 12 points per dollar spent, makes it a more attractive option for frequent flyers looking to accumulate points quickly for future travel. Anytime fares, on the other hand, are a good option for those needing flexibility with their travel plans due to their refundable nature and lack of change fees. While Anytime fares offer similar flexibility to Business Select in terms of changes and cancellations, they do not include the boarding priority or drink perk, and they earn fewer Rapid Rewards points.Do I earn more Rapid Rewards points with Business Select?
Yes, you earn more Rapid Rewards points with Business Select compared to other Southwest fare types. You earn 12 points per dollar spent on Business Select fares, while Anytime fares earn 10 points per dollar, and Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares earn 6 points per dollar.
The increased Rapid Rewards point earnings are one of the primary benefits of booking a Business Select fare. While the cost of Business Select is typically higher than other fare options, the additional points can be valuable, especially for frequent flyers or those looking to quickly accumulate points for award travel. It's worthwhile to calculate the potential point difference based on the flight cost to determine if the increased earnings outweigh the price difference.
Keep in mind that these earning rates apply to the base fare price. Taxes and fees are not typically eligible for Rapid Rewards points accrual. Also, bonus point promotions may temporarily change the earning rates for all fare types, so it is always a good idea to verify the current earning structure on the Southwest website or app.
Can I use Rapid Rewards points to upgrade to Business Select?
No, you cannot directly use Rapid Rewards points to upgrade to Business Select after purchasing a Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, or Anytime fare. Business Select is a distinct fare class that must be booked initially.
While you can't upgrade to Business Select with points, you can use your points to book a Business Select fare outright. When searching for flights on Southwest.com, you will see the points price for each fare option, including Business Select. If you have enough points, you can simply select the Business Select fare during the booking process and use your points to pay for it.
Business Select offers several advantages over other fare types, including priority boarding (A1-A15 boarding position), a complimentary premium drink, and more Rapid Rewards points earned per dollar spent. Because of these added perks, it's considered a higher-tier fare rather than an upgrade. Therefore, the standard "upgrade" mechanism isn't applicable; you must book Business Select from the start if you desire its benefits and are using Rapid Rewards points.
Does Business Select guarantee overhead bin space?
No, Business Select on Southwest does not guarantee overhead bin space. While Business Select passengers are in boarding group A1-A15, giving them priority access to the aircraft, it does not specifically reserve or guarantee space in the overhead bins for their carry-on luggage.
While Business Select doesn't *guarantee* overhead bin space, the early boarding position significantly increases the likelihood of securing a spot. Being among the first to board means you'll have a better chance of finding available space before the bins fill up. Other passengers, especially those in later boarding groups, may find that overhead bin space is limited or non-existent by the time they board the plane. Ultimately, securing overhead bin space is still on a first-come, first-served basis, even with Business Select. If overhead bin space is full, passengers may need to gate-check their carry-on luggage, which will then be placed in the cargo hold and returned to them upon arrival at their destination. Southwest personnel make announcements regarding this on flights when it occurs.So, there you have it! Hopefully, you now have a good understanding of Southwest's Business Select. It offers some nice perks if you're looking for a little extra comfort and convenience. Thanks for reading, and we hope you'll stop by again soon for more travel tips and info!