![]() ![]() The Southwest Airlines frequent flyer program (Rapid Rewards) is pretty good in my opinion. You’ll even have a better shot at getting a more spacious exit row seat! Yeah, every seat is the same here on the Southwest 737-800, but you can choose any one you want thanks to being one of the first onboard. This is the first group to board the plane, so you’ll have a much better selection of seats once you step onboard. However, paying for Business Select as a way to alleviate this inconvenience (slightly), as it puts you into the “A” boarding group. I absolutely loathe the Southwest Airlines open seating policy. You’ll get a better seat (in a better location, I mean) There are three specific instances where I consider it worth it to pay for the Business Select upgrade: 1. I’m not totally against paying more for an airline ticket to get a better experience. Three good reasons why you should choose Business Select ![]() Warning: depending how how many people take advantage of pre-boarding, being in boarding group A won’t always guarantee you a more spacious exit row seat. I can tell you from experience that you’ll start second-guessing your decision to splurge on Business Select as soon as you arrive at the airport. The lack of video screens is worth noting, especially since many other US airlines offer them in their 737 seats ( my Delta Air Lines 737-800 review is a good example of an airline offering better amenities for the same cost as Southwest).JSX offers more legroom and complimentary drinks and snacks for the same price – along with the perk of flying out of a private jet terminal! As you saw in my JetSuiteX review, they might be a better option (if available on the route you’re flying).You only get one free drink coupon, meaning that if you want to get lit, you’re gonna have to pay extra for it. You know that free drink thing that I keep mentioning? Well, it isn’t as generous as it sounds.Yes, they do serve complimentary snack mix on most flights, but don’t expect anything more than a small bag of snack mix. There are no substantial food offerings on Southwest Airlines (not even for hoity-toity Business Select passengers).It’s all economy class, so you’re not going to get a big and spacious seat by choosing Business Select. There are no dedicated business class seats on any Southwest Airlines aircraft.They certainly aren’t going to remind you about it. Ahh, the High Life! Or, you could do what I did on my last Southwest Business Select experience and forget about the drink coupon altogether. ![]() That moment when you decide to use your free drink coupon on an ice cold moderately chilly Miller Lite. Yes, the Southwest Airlines open seating policy sucks my you-know-what, but there isn’t much better of a feeling than standing at the front of the line for boarding group A. And with no blackout dates on award redemptions, it’s a nice perk. At the time of this writing, Business Select travelers earn 12 Rapid Rewards points for every dollar that they spend. ![]() The bonus points you’ll earn for flying Business Select is generous (assuming that you fly Southwest Airlines often).Did I mention the free drinks thing yet?.You’ll get priority security lane access.Being one of the first to board means that you’ll get first dibs on nabbing a seat in the exit row (which features more leg room).Your chances of getting the exact seat that you want without paying for Business Select is slim to none. Since there is no assigned seating on Southwest Airlines, it’s first come first serve. Everybody values perks differently, but to me, the most beneficial perk of Southwest Business Select is the ability to be one of the first passengers onboard.On Southwest, it’s usually not that far out of reach. It’s affordable! Getting the opportunity to be one of the first ones on the airplane (and then getting free drinks when you’re there) is something that many business travelers pay thousands of dollars for other airlines.Which, if I’m being honest, is really easy considering there are quite a few of each: Pros The easiest way to explain the benefits and drawbacks of Business Select is to list out all the pros and cons. It just kills me to pay more and have to suffer just the same as everyone else! Pros and cons of Southwest Airlines Business Select Behold the “Business Select” seats on the Southwest 737 MAX 8 (which just so happen to be the exact same seats that you can get for 1/3 the price if you didn’t splurge for the upgrade). There are no comfort upgrades with a Business Select ticket, and for me, that’s a problem on longer flights. The biggest problem I have with Business Select is that I’ll be sitting in the exact same style of seat as everyone else. Personally, I land somewhere in the middle. Some might find the added benefits to be totally worth it, while others will think it’s a complete waste of money. Southwest Airlines Business Select isn’t for everyone. ![]()
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