Is the additional expense for Southwest Business Select Tickets a sensible investment?
Southwest Airlines offers four fare types: Basic, Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select (soon to be rebranded as Choice Extra). For travellers who value priority boarding, extra Rapid Rewards points, free checked bags, refundable tickets, and premium drink perks, Business Select may be worth the extra cost.
Key Benefits of Business Select
Priority Boarding: Business Select guarantees a boarding position between A1 and A15, enabling you to choose the best seat early in Southwest’s open seating system. Cheaper fares like Anytime or Basic board later or rely on EarlyBird Check-In, which is not guaranteed boarding in that prime zone.
Extra Points: Business Select earns about 14 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent versus 10 points with Anytime fares and fewer with Basic, translating into better travel rewards value long term.
Free Checked Bags: Business Select includes two free checked bags, whereas some cheaper fares may charge for bags.
Refundability and Flexibility: Business Select tickets are refundable and come with flexible day-of travel perks, unlike the Basic fare which is nonrefundable and cannot be changed without upgrading.
Premium Drink: If you appreciate complimentary premium beverages on flights longer than 175 miles, Business Select offers this perk, whereas lower fares only include standard free drinks.
Extra Legroom Seat Selection: Starting January 27, 2026, Choice Extra (Business Select) will allow seat selection of Extra Legroom seats at booking, adding further comfort benefits.
When Might Business Select Not Be Worth the Extra Cost?
If you prioritize low price over perks and can board late without issue, cheaper fares like Anytime (Choice Preferred) or Basic will save money while still providing decent rewards and flexibility.
If you don’t value Rapid Rewards points or rarely check bags, the premium benefits may not justify the extra $50+ cost on typical flights.
Southwest does not offer a traditional business class cabin or upgraded seats on Business Select; benefits are about boarding priority, points, and perks—not seat comfort.
Summary Table of Key Differences
| Feature | Business Select (Choice Extra) | Anytime (Choice Preferred) | Basic | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Boarding Position | Guaranteed A1–A15 priority boarding | Early general boarding | Standard or assigned seat at check-in | | Rewards Points Earned | 14 points per $1 | 10 points per $1 | Lowest points | | Checked Bags | 2 free checked bags | May have fees | Fees apply | | Ticket Refundability | Fully refundable | Refundable but less perks | Nonrefundable | | Seat Selection | Extra Legroom seat selection at booking| Preferred seat selection | Assigned seat at check-in | | Premium Drink | Complimentary on flights >175 miles | No premium drink | No premium drink | | Price Premium | Approx. $50+ more than Anytime fare | Mid-range | Lowest fare |
If you frequently fly Southwest and highly value priority boarding, extra points, free bags, and flexibility, Business Select (Choice Extra) is generally worth the extra cost. For infrequent travelers or those on a budget, Anytime or Basic fares may offer better value.
This assessment is based on fare structures and benefits as of mid-2025, including upcoming fare bundle changes effective January 27, 2026.
Additional Benefits of Business Select
- Inflight Wi-Fi is available for $8 per device on all flights, but Business Select passengers receive it for free. The complimentary inflight Wi-Fi offered on Business Select fares is valued at $8 per round-trip journey.
- The average download speed of Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi is approximately 8 Mbps.
- The complimentary premium drink offered on Business Select fares is valued at $3 for each direction, as nonalcoholic options are complimentary and the drink may not be available on all flights or to all passengers.
- Southwest Business Select offers additional benefits, including free inflight Wi-Fi, a complimentary premium drink on flights of 176 miles or more, and guaranteed boarding position between A1 and A15.
Alternatives to Business Select
Southwest offers EarlyBird Check-Ins, which can provide an A16 to A30 boarding position, as an alternative to buying Business Select. Southwest sells earlier boarding positions at varying costs, starting at $30. The early boarding guarantee offered with Business Select fares is worth $35 in each direction, or $70 round-trip.
Regardless of the fare, passengers enjoy an easy change and cancellation policy, free same-day standby, and a first-come, first-served boarding process. Southwest Rapid Rewards points are valued at 1.3 cents apiece on average, and Business Select passengers earn 12x points on their tickets.
- The complimentary inflight Wi-Fi offered on Business Select fares is valued at $8 per round-trip journey.
- The average download speed of Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi is approximately 8 Mbps.
- The complimentary premium drink offered on Business Select fares is valued at $3 for each direction, as nonalcoholic options are complimentary and the drink may not be available on all flights or to all passengers.
- Southwest Business Select offers additional benefits, including free inflight Wi-Fi, a complimentary premium drink on flights of 176 miles or more, and guaranteed boarding position between A1 and A15.
