No matter why you’re traveling, the one thing everyone has in common is they want to make the most of the experience. Whether it’s the flight, the stay, or the excursions, who wouldn’t enjoy a few perks? If Southwest’s Business Select option is of interest, that includes you. So, come with me as we do a deep dive into what all Business Select entails and what difference it would make on your next trip.
A Short Intro to Southwest Airlines
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of things, let’s get to know Southwest Airlines better. They don’t fly everywhere, so if getting more info about the airline is part of what brought you here, welcome! Finding your way here could also mean that Southwest Airlines is one you’re not only familiar with but may have even traveled on. If that describes you, feel free to skip this section.
For those who don’t know, Southwest Airlines is viewed as more of a budget option in comparison to other airlines. However, anyone who routinely seeks out tickets to a variety of destinations knows that Southwest doesn’t usually have the cheapest fares. I digress.
How these tickets become more valuable is with the airline perks. The most popular of which is the baggage policy. No matter what tier ticket you purchase, two bags always fly free. For example, getting a ticket to San Juan, PR for $100 round trip sounds great until you add on $35 each way for one bag. After adding a second bag, that $100 flight is now $240 on American Airlines but $175 on Southwest.
Another popular feature is there are no fees to change or cancel your flight. If you’ve ever encountered a last-minute change before departure, you know how much of a pain it can be to deal with that policy. By pain, I mostly mean expense.
Is baggage and flexibility important to the itinerary? If so, Southwest Airlines can be a great asset to your travel needs. Feel free to check out more of the benefits of flying Southwest here.
What is Southwest Airlines Business Select?
Now, I’ll go ahead and answer the most burning question. Essentially, Business Select is the top-tier ticket option when flying on Southwest Airlines. For some, having the best ticket is what makes the experience tolerable. For others, the upgrade is unnecessary. There are so many different types of travelers that it’s hard to pinpoint how beneficial something like Business Select would be for you until you analyze what’s included.
Let’s talk about it.
Priority Boarding
I was once listening to The Bert Show, the top morning radio show based in Atlanta, when one of the co-hosts started discussing a preference for boarding last. He mentioned how he was not interested in getting to his seat ASAP because of how long it took to board the plane as a whole. He’d rather wait and get on at the end because that’s less time in a confined space.
I feel the same way when the seats are assigned. Southwest has an open-seat policy, though. That means boarding last could make your trip uncomfortable. To be fair, it’s not a free-for-all all at the gate upon boarding. You still are given a designated section in which to board. So, you’re essentially competing within that group for a seat. The further down your section is the fewer seats you’ll have to choose from when the time comes.
For Business Select, that’s not an issue. The first 15 rows are at your disposal before anyone else can get to them. Well, anyone else that isn’t in your premium group. It’s nice to have the first pick, but I would be remiss if I failed to mention the seats aren’t more luxurious in the front than the rest of the plane.
Free Internet
To stay competitive, airlines have to find ways to make flying entertaining. Just ask anyone who has flown on a true budget airline, such as Spirit. The more you give guests, the less likely you are to be flooded with negative reviews for being cheap.
Southwest has decided the internet is that golden ticket perk. That’s something practically everyone can use, and it would be worth it for many to upgrade to Business Select to get it. Fewer people will be using it, since it costs for other ticket levels, so that should make streaming faster.
If it’s vital to have internet on your flight, be sure to check when booking if that particular plane is Wi-Fi enabled. As this program is still rolling out, not all aircraft have been equipped thus far.
Complimentary Premium Drink
Some flyers prefer getting a premium drink to help settle their nerves in the air and others just like to have one. Whatever your reason is for ordering a drink with a kick, you get one for free as a Business Select passenger. What does that include? Here is some order inspiration:
- Mimosa
- Margarita
- Gin and Coke
- Sparkling Wine
- Miller Lite
- Blue Moon
Drink options are not limited to that list, but that should give you the gist. There may be more or different options on your specific flight. The flight attendant will be able to provide you with better specifics once boarded. If this is the perk that gets you to upgrade, make sure it’s on a flight longer than 176 miles. 
Rapid Rewards
Are you someone who flies more than the average bear? Southwest’s loyal program is a great way for frequent flyers to save on travel costs in the long run. Participants earn points not only from flights but also by doing business with the airline’s partner brands.
Rapid Reward members can purchase flights with points alone, once enough has been accumulated. The basic Wanna Get Away ticket comes with 6 Rapid Reward points per dollar spent. Business Select tickets come with 12 points per dollar. Traveling only on Business Select will have you hoarding Rapid Reward points faster than a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter.
One thing about the program, you can’t use a gift card, flight credits, or vouchers to pay for the flight if you want to get those points.
Refundable
Because life happens, a flexible refund policy is a great thing to have. Passengers have all the way up until just a handful of minutes before departure to cancel and still receive a refund. If the flight was purchased using a flight credit, you get the credit back. If it was paid for with Rapid Rewards, you get those back, too.
Additional Tiered Perks
Anytime tier also offers refundable tickets, but aside from that, everything listed above is specific to Business Select. If those perks appeal to you as a traveler, a frequent flyer, or a strategic bonus accumulator, Business Select might be the exact right option for a future flight.
That’s not all the fun stuff, though. Everything included in the lower tiers is also available for Business Select. Here are some of those extras:
- EarlyBird Check-In
- Access to Express Lane Security Check
- Transferable Flight Credits
- Free Same-Day Standby or Flight Change
Is Business Select Worth It?
At the end of the day, that’s really a question that can only be answered by the individual. As mentioned earlier, for some it’s a fantastic value. For others, they’d rather the money be spent elsewhere. It all depends on how you prioritize travel expenses.
Take this sample trip into consideration.
No matter why you’re traveling, the one thing everyone has in common is they want to make the most of the experience. Whether it’s the flight, the stay, or the excursions, who wouldn’t enjoy a few perks? If Southwest’s Business Select option is of interest, that includes you. So, come with me as we do a deep dive into what all Business Select entails and what difference it would make on your next trip.
A Short Intro to Southwest Airlines
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of things, let’s get to know Southwest better. They don’t fly everywhere, so if getting more info about the airline is part of what brought you here, welcome! Finding your way here could also mean that Southwest Airlines is one you’re not only familiar with but may have even traveled on. If that describes you, feel free to skip this section.
For those who don’t know, Southwest Airlines is viewed as more of a budget option in comparison to other airlines. However, anyone who routinely seeks out tickets to a variety of destinations knows that Southwest doesn’t usually have the cheapest fares. I digress.
How these tickets become more valuable is with the airline perks. The most popular of which is the baggage policy. No matter what tier ticket you purchase, two bags always fly free. For example, getting a ticket to San Juan, PR for $100 round trip sounds great until you add on $35 each way for one bag. After adding a second bag, that $100 flight is now $240 on American Airlines but $175 on Southwest.
Another popular feature is there are no fees to change or cancel your flight. If you’ve ever encountered a last-minute change before departure, you know how much of a pain it can be to deal with that policy. By pain, I mostly mean expense.
Is baggage and flexibility important to the itinerary? If so, Southwest Airlines can be a great asset to your travel needs. Feel free to check out more of the benefits of flying Southwest here.
