Southwest Airlines has announced upcoming changes to its Rapid Rewards® loyalty program designed to help members reach upper tiers faster. Starting January 1, flyers can earn A-List status with a minimum of 20 one-way qualifying flights, down from 25 flights currently. Members can advance to A-List Preferred status with 40 qualifying flights instead of the 50 required today. In addition, users of the program’s cobranded credit cards will receive 1,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 charged, a 50% reduction in required....