I figured out how to upgrade to Business Select on Southwest by accident a couple of years ago when I was traveling from Denver to Las Vegas for a conference. I had originally booked the cheapest Wanna Get Away fare because, like most people, I was just trying to save a few bucks. But the night before my flight, I realized I really wanted to board early and grab a front-row seat so I could get off quickly once we landed.
I wasn’t sure if it was even possible to upgrade after booking, so I called Southwest’s customer service and asked. The rep explained that as long as Business Select seats were still available, I could upgrade either online, through the app, or over the phone. She helped me with the process right then — I paid the difference, and within minutes, my new boarding position (A4!) showed up in the app.
When I got to the airport, I breezed through boarding, grabbed my favorite aisle seat, and even got a free drink coupon with my ticket. I earned more Rapid Rewards points too, which was a nice surprise.
Now, whenever I want a smoother experience — like for early morning or quick business trips — I don’t hesitate to upgrade. The seats are the same as everyone else’s, but the Business Select perks like priority boarding, extra points, and flexibility make the whole trip way less stressful. Definitely worth it when you need a little extra comfort and convenience.
