Southwest's new Rapid Rewards

Xcaliber

Xcaliber

El Chupacabra
I don't know how many of you out there use Southwest or their reward programs, but this morning they revamped the entire system. It looks a lot more like other airlines reward programs now, based on points, not flights. Basically, it kind of screws those people who fly a lot of short-haul, cheap flights and those who insist on flying with all the perks on their free flights. For those of us that fly longer, more expensive flights, and don't mind going without the perks on free flights, it's awesome!
 
XcalibeR said:
I don't know how many of you out there use Southwest or their reward programs, but this morning they revamped the entire system. It looks a lot more like other airlines reward programs now, based on points, not flights. Basically, it kind of screws those people who fly a lot of short-haul, cheap flights and those who insist on flying with all the perks on their free flights. For those of us that fly longer, more expensive flights, and don't mind going without the perks on free flights, it's awesome!
Click to expand...

I'll have to check it out, as Im a member, but I do lots of short hops. Damn.
 
Frequent flyer programs should be reflective of revenue so I think it's a good move!

Now, if we could just do something about the people that buy a car on their credit card, fly once per year and expect me to let them fly the airplane and let them cut me off in line at Miami Subs because they're "frequent" flyers.

Flier? Flyer? I don't know.

True story though!
 
MikeD said:
I'll have to check it out, as Im a member, but I do lots of short hops. Damn.
Click to expand...

I keep feeling like I'm missing something, because everyone on the sw facebook page is all up in arms. As best I can figure, at rate "x", it'll take 5 round trips between ABC and XYZ to earn a free one-way between ABC and XYZ, or, in other words, it'll take 10 round trips to earn a round trip between the same city pair, where it used to take 8. However, If you buy your revenue tickets at the anytime rate, and use the Wanna-Get-Away rate for your rewards, it'll take something like 3 round trips to earn a reward, or less than half of what it used to take. Are people that busy/obnoxious/entitled that they MUST have the anytime ticket? All it gets you is a refundable ticket.
 
They are basically letting you use your points like cash. It makes the most sense of any frequent flier program I've seen.
 
XcalibeR said:
I keep feeling like I'm missing something, because everyone on the sw facebook page is all up in arms. As best I can figure, at rate "x", it'll take 5 round trips between ABC and XYZ to earn a free one-way between ABC and XYZ, or, in other words, it'll take 10 round trips to earn a round trip between the same city pair, where it used to take 8. However, If you buy your revenue tickets at the anytime rate, and use the Wanna-Get-Away rate for your rewards, it'll take something like 3 round trips to earn a reward, or less than half of what it used to take. Are people that busy/obnoxious/entitled that they MUST have the anytime ticket? All it gets you is a refundable ticket.
Click to expand...

I always get the regular fare ticket, simply due to changes being easy and no extra charge for them. Haven't done the Business Select yet, but I don't do the Wanna Get Away often simply due to my schedule often changing.
 
Business Select is awesome. No more clicking "refresh" 23:59:59 before your flight so you can sit by the window near the front. And, gosh, I really shouldn't but it would be a WASTE not to have the free booze...
 
Doug Taylor said:
Now, if we could just do something about the people that buy a car on their credit card, fly once per year and expect me to let them fly the airplane and let them cut me off in line at Miami Subs because they're "frequent" flyers.

Flier? Flyer? I don't know.

True story though!
Click to expand...

Hey, I have bought my last two cars that way and even got them to do it over a few months to not exceed the max on the card (related to award mileage). Put the plane on the AMX, that was interesting 8)

They set the rules of the game. Don't hate me for playing the game to win! I really like my Mileage Plus card!
 
I wish I could accumulate points while jumpseating...

Instead I collect, the thirteen thousand boarding passes I'm given on any given trip...
 
"Uh. no." *stony silence*. "Oh, I work for Delta (couldn't you tell by my ridiculous steamship outfit?). Here's my employee number. Have a lovely day at the back of the line, don't worry it moves quick."

And if I magically get a call from the CP, THEN I get unpleasant.
 
You know what I like about Southwest? I am guaranteed to not be on an uncomfortable RJ.

RJ guys, don't take offense...you didn't make the aircraft and you know it is.
 
Doug Taylor said:
Frequent flyer programs should be reflective of revenue so I think it's a good move!

Now, if we could just do something about the people that buy a car on their credit card, fly once per year and expect me to let them fly the airplane and let them cut me off in line at Miami Subs because they're "frequent" flyers.

Flier? Flyer? I don't know.

True story though!
Click to expand...

Miami Subs. There's a name I haven't heard since leaving Orlando. I'm now suddenly hungry for one. Damn you, Taylor. Damn you to hell.....
 
Douglas said:
You know what I like about Southwest? I am guaranteed to not be on an uncomfortable RJ.

RJ guys, don't take offense...you didn't make the aircraft and you know it is.
Click to expand...

Eh, when I'd fly on our own planes (Skywest) I thought the legroom was more than what I got on mainline. I liked the gatechecking of the bags, and the quick plane and deplaning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top