Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Navigating airline perks can sometimes feel confusing, especially when long-standing policies transition from paper to digital formats — and, more recently, when the fare names attached to those perks change entirely. For years, Southwest Airlines drink coupons were among the most popular perks in commercial aviation, offering frequent flyers and cardholders complimentary alcoholic beverages during their flights. Southwest has since modernized its inflight beverage policies, phased out legacy paper vouchers in favor of streamlined digital perks, and — as of its January 27, 2026 fare overhaul — renamed the ticket that carries this perk from Business Select to Choice Extra.
Quick Answer
Southwest Airlines drink coupons are now fully digital. Passengers who book a Choice Extra fare (formerly Business Select) automatically get a complimentary premium drink noted on their boarding pass. A-List Preferred Members also get up to two free premium drinks per leg on flights of 251+ miles, regardless of fare purchased.
Key Takeaways
- Business Select is now Choice Extra: Southwest renamed its top fare tier as part of its January 2026 move to assigned seating.
- Paper Coupons are Largely Obsolete: Southwest has moved to digital drink perks noted on the mobile boarding pass, though a printed coupon can still appear if you check in outside the app.
- Two Paths to a Free Drink: Book Choice Extra (or an Extra Legroom seat) on a qualifying flight, or hold A-List Preferred status, which gets up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg on flights of 251+ miles.
- Free Soft Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages including sodas, juices, coffee, and tea remain completely free for all Southwest passengers.
At a Glance: Southwest Beverage Service
| Eligible Fare/Status | Choice Extra (formerly Business Select) or A-List Preferred status |
| Redemption Method | Noted on mobile boarding pass; ask your flight attendant during beverage service |
| Accepted Payments (paid drinks) | Contactless (Apple/Google Pay), credit cards, debit cards |
| Standard Alcoholic Price | Beer, wine, and spirits typically run $7 or more per drink when purchased |
What Changed: Business Select Is Now Choice Extra
On January 27, 2026, Southwest moved from open seating to assigned seating and renamed its entire fare lineup. Wanna Get Away became Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus became Choice, Anytime became Choice Preferred, and Business Select became Choice Extra. If you’ve booked a “Business Select” fare in the past for the complimentary drink perk, that same benefit now lives under the Choice Extra fare, which also includes an Extra Legroom seat option, two free checked bags, and earlier boarding.
How to Receive Southwest Drink Coupons
Receiving drink coupons on Southwest Airlines is streamlined through digital channels. Historically, physical paper coupons were distributed by mail to Rapid Rewards members and Southwest credit cardholders after completing specific flight milestones. Southwest has since moved away from that mailer program toward a digital-first approach tied to specific fares and loyalty tiers.
The primary way to get a complimentary drink is by booking a Choice Extra fare, or by selecting an Extra Legroom seat on a qualifying flight. On the day of travel, this perk is typically noted on your mobile boarding pass within the Southwest Airlines app; if you check in outside the app, you may instead receive a printed coupon at the gate.
Warning: Older-style paper drink coupon books tied to the retired mailer program are no longer valid. Don’t buy or trade physical coupons online — Southwest’s own terms state coupons are void if sold, purchased, brokered, or bartered, and flight attendants can decline them.
Redeeming Southwest Drink Coupons
Redeeming your drink perk onboard is simple. When the flight attendant reaches your row during beverage service, let them know you have a complimentary drink coming from your fare or status before placing your order.
The perk covers one premium beverage — beer, wine, or spirits — per qualifying flight segment (A-List Preferred Members can get up to two per leg on flights of 251 miles or more). Non-alcoholic options, including soda, juice, sparkling water, coffee, and tea, are always free for every passenger.
Drink availability may vary depending on flight length, weather conditions, or local regulations. On short flights, beverage service may be limited or suspended for safety reasons, and Southwest notes that all drink perks are subject to availability and can be modified at its discretion.
Tips for Maximizing Southwest Drink Coupons
| Tips | Details |
|---|---|
| Screenshot Your Boarding Pass | Screenshot your mobile boarding pass before boarding in case in-flight Wi-Fi drops. |
| Use on Qualifying Longer Flights | The perk applies on flights of 251 miles or more, so shorter hops may not offer full beverage service. |
| Check Both Paths | Compare booking Choice Extra against your existing A-List Preferred status — you may already qualify without upgrading your fare. |
| Know Flight Boundaries | Drink perks are flight-segment specific and generally valid only on the date of travel for the booked itinerary. |
Pro Tip: Take a screenshot of your digital boarding pass while you’re still in the terminal. Inflight connectivity can lag, and having an offline image helps the crew confirm your perk quickly.
Southwest Drink Coupon Policies and Restrictions
Passengers must adhere to standard policies and federal restrictions regarding inflight beverage service:
- Non-Transferable: Drink perks are tied to the specific traveler’s reservation or status and generally can’t be transferred to another passenger.
- Subject to Availability: Southwest’s own terms note that drink coupons are subject to availability, service may be modified or limited at its discretion, and the airline can discontinue the program at any time.
- Federal Alcohol Laws: FAA regulations prohibit passengers from consuming self-provided alcohol onboard. All alcoholic beverages must be served by Southwest flight crew.
- Age Verification: Passengers must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages, and flight attendants may request valid ID.
Keeping Track of Southwest Drink Coupons
Managing your drink perks is integrated into Southwest’s mobile ecosystem. By downloading the official Southwest Airlines app, passengers can track reservation details, boarding passes, and eligible perks in one place.
When viewing your boarding pass in the app on your travel day, check near your flight details — if your ticket type or status qualifies, the drink perk will typically be noted there.
Sharing Southwest Drink Coupons
Because these perks are tied to individual boarding passes or loyalty status, physical sharing isn’t supported. If you’re traveling with companions who each hold a qualifying fare or status, each traveler gets their own drink perk on their respective boarding pass.
Coordinate with your flight attendant during beverage service — passengers seated together can order at the same time, letting the crew confirm each person’s perk in one pass.
Southwest Drink Coupons for Business Travelers
Business travelers frequently choose Choice Extra to get priority boarding, extra Rapid Rewards points, and the included complimentary drink. For corporate travelers navigating busy schedules, a complimentary beverage offers a welcome moment of relaxation in transit, and the fare is also typically permitted under standard business-expense travel policies because of its flexibility.
Southwest Drink Coupons for A-List and A-List Preferred Members
A-List and A-List Preferred members are Southwest’s most loyal flyers, and the drink benefit differs meaningfully by tier. A-List Preferred Members receive up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg on select flights of 251 miles or more — this is a standing benefit of the status itself, not something limited to promotions. A-List members (the tier below A-List Preferred) do not get this automatic drink perk and would need to book Choice Extra or an Extra Legroom seat to get a complimentary drink.
Southwest Drink Coupons for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardholders
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit cards, offered through Chase, provide value through anniversary bonus points, flight discounts, and accelerated tier-status earnings. Cardholders looking to enjoy complimentary drinks inflight can use earned Rapid Rewards points toward a Choice Extra fare, or work toward A-List Preferred status, which carries the automatic per-leg drink benefit.
Southwest Drink Coupons for Special Occasions and Celebrations
Flight crews on Southwest Airlines are known for their hospitality, especially when passengers are celebrating milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, or retirements.
If you’re flying on a special occasion, let your flight attendant know when boarding. Complimentary drinks outside your qualifying fare or status are at the crew’s discretion, but flight attendants frequently make celebratory announcements or extend friendly gestures.
FAQs
What are Southwest Airlines drink coupons?
They’re complimentary-drink perks tied to Choice Extra (formerly Business Select) fares, Extra Legroom seats, or A-List Preferred status, covering one premium alcoholic beverage during inflight service.
Is Business Select still a Southwest fare?
No. As of Southwest’s January 27, 2026 fare overhaul, Business Select was renamed Choice Extra, and the complimentary drink perk now lives under that fare name.
Can you purchase Southwest Airlines drink coupons?
No. Southwest’s terms state coupons cannot be sold, purchased, brokered, or bartered. Alcoholic drinks can still be bought onboard individually with a credit/debit card or contactless payment.
How many free drinks do A-List Preferred Members get?
Up to two complimentary premium drinks per leg on select flights of 251 miles or more, subject to availability.
How do you redeem Southwest Airlines drink coupons?
Check your mobile boarding pass in the Southwest app, then let the flight attendant know during beverage service that you have a qualifying fare or status.
Sources
- Southwest Airlines Inflight Drink and Snack Menu — Official details on beverage offerings, A-List Preferred drink benefit, and coupon terms.
- Southwest Airlines Fare Information and Rules — Official breakdown of the four current fare bundles, including Choice Extra.
- Southwest Airlines Fare Types and Benefits — Official comparison of fare bundles and their day-of-travel perks.
- Southwest Airlines Assigned Seating — Official information on the January 2026 move to assigned seating and renamed fares.
