anyone do Southwest Rapid Rewards?

[kpk89]

Does anyone here participate in this? Can you explain it a bit? I'm confused as to whether we can link all family members to one RR account, (thus earning rewards faster, even though our reward would only be one ticket for the 5 of us)

Also, how can you earn RR credits on a credit card? Does it have to be a SWA one, or can you link any card to the program??

 

[dcfromva]

I'm confused as to whether we can link all family members to one RR account, (thus earning rewards faster, even though our reward would only be one ticket for the 5 of us)

kpk89,
That would be a great option, but no, each person must have their own account number.
Here is a link to the SWA RR info

Also, how can you earn RR credits on a credit card? Does it have to be a SWA one, or can you link any card to the program??

Yes, it has to be a SWA CC and there is a $59.00 annual fee with it, so you have to take that into consideration. You receive 1 RR credit for every $1200.00 you spend. (You get double credit on SWA purchases)

-DC

 

[NotUrsula]

Each passenger must have his/her own RR account; you cannot consolidate rewards earned by different people. You can, however, give away earned rewards for someone else's use, as in Dad earns the reward, and little Danny uses the free ticket. DS has had his own RR account since he was 2 months old (btw, for babies with RR accounts, note that flights they take as "lap babies" will not earn any credits on the baby's account.)

There are "partner" companies such as, for example, Hilton, where you can earn credits on your RR account. I personally don't know of a CC reward program other than the SWA/Visa that lets you earn RR credits on non-partner purchases, but there might be one. (BTW, *all* reward credits, regardless of source, count toward flight rewards and Companion Pass earnings.)

 

[kpk89]

Gotcha. I checked out the rules on their website, and then I became inspired to write Southwest a letter. First I complimented them on their airline, from customer service to the great rewards program, to the on-time flights, etc.

Then I "unveiled" my "Family Rewards" version of Rapid Rewards. Members of an immediate family living in the same household can have their accounts linked together. This would allow families (who probably only travel once a year, if that) to earn one reward flight after purchasing 8 (just like regular plan) So my family of 5 could earn a free ticket (for ONE of us) after we all flew together twice. Then our next trip we'd only have to pay for 4 tickets!

Who knows, maybe they'll like it! I pointed out that traditional frequent flyer programs are aimed at the business traveler who must fly several times a year, but the airline wants to keep him/her on THEIR airline. MY new program would inspire families who already love Southwest, and choose it all the time, to fly MORE OFTEN!

Anybody want to join me in writing to SWA to suggest this great new idea??

 

[lilstint]

Actually, with the new "My Southwest" promo which is going on now, you can earn credits booking for others. Here is the info which was posted by a southwest rep from "flyertalk" forums.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hear there are a few questions surrounding this promotion... Based on what I hear from nsx, I'll start with these answers. Let me know what else...

On booking one-ways...
You will actually get the full credit for booking one-ways... Aren't we nice?

On using exisiting funds...
Yes, you will still get the credit if you pay for your flight with exisiting funds, however you still must be logged into your account at the time of reservation.

As for who gets credit where the flyer and buyer aren't the same...
Whoever is logged into their account making the purchase will receive the credit. So, if I'm buying a roundtrip for a family member while logged into my account, I'll get the MySouthwest bonus credit.

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Not as good as the proposals here but at least something...

 

[kpk89]

Bummer -- I ordered tix for my fam plus 2 others like a month ago ... too bad this wasn't going on then. (or if it was, double too bad that I didn't know about it!)

 

[DrTomorrow]

Gotcha. I checked out the rules on their website, and then I became inspired to write Southwest a letter. First I complimented them on their airline, from customer service to the great rewards program, to the on-time flights, etc.

Then I "unveiled" my "Family Rewards" version of Rapid Rewards. Members of an immediate family living in the same household can have their accounts linked together. This would allow families (who probably only travel once a year, if that) to earn one reward flight after purchasing 8 (just like regular plan) So my family of 5 could earn a free ticket (for ONE of us) after we all flew together twice. Then our next trip we'd only have to pay for 4 tickets!

Who knows, maybe they'll like it! I pointed out that traditional frequent flyer programs are aimed at the business traveler who must fly several times a year, but the airline wants to keep him/her on THEIR airline. MY new program would inspire families who already love Southwest, and choose it all the time, to fly MORE OFTEN!

Anybody want to join me in writing to SWA to suggest this great new idea??

Not sure if they'd like it. As you pointed out, your idea is targeted at folks who only travel once a year or less, so all this program would do lose SWA the price of one ticket a year. Not sure if one free ticket is enough to make families like these fly more often....

Keep us aprised!

 

[kpk89]

Oh, maybe I should clarify that by "families like mine" I mean DVC-owning, APholding, looking looking LOOKING for ANY excuse to go back to Disney more often!

I should've put that in the letter. Dang.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to your Southwest RR account.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Oh, maybe I should clarify that by "families like mine" I mean DVC-owning, APholding, looking looking LOOKING for ANY excuse to go back to Disney more often!

I should've put that in the letter. Dang.

As fellow DVC (SSR) owners and AP-holders, I agree that a family linkage plan would be of benefit. Still, with our trips to WDW - and our SW Visa points - we usually get a free trip or two every year....

 

[Lewisc]

Oh, maybe I should clarify that by "families like mine" I mean DVC-owning, APholding, looking looking LOOKING for ANY excuse to go back to Disney more often!

I should've put that in the letter. Dang.

As other have posted a person who flies once a year isn't really a frequent flyer.

SW has DING sales and system wide sales that frequently offer very low fares for famlies like yours.

Many people are getting N/S flights for under $150 R/T.

 

[kpk89]

Oh, yes, I realize that once a year is not "frequent." Just looking for ways to INcrease our frequency!! I have DING but I'm not sure how well it will work for us since DVC ressies and/or AP best rates need to be made further out. I'm keeping my eye on it, and it will certainly be worth trying!

Please understand, I'm not complaining at all about Southwest and what they offer -- they go above and beyond most airlines, IMO. I'm just having fun, here! Heck, the tix I just bought for Jan. 06 were only $577 for the five of us!!!!! I was beyond thrilled! I'm just trying to illustrate that because we are buying 5 tix at a time, flying 8 times in 2 years probably will not happen for us, and we'll have to find other ways to earn those Rapid Rewards!