mportant Update: Changes to Southwest Rapid Rewards

[w770496]

Some good, but the seat restrictions really hurt us that fly on the holiday weeks.

New Features to the Rapid Rewards Program

We've doubled your credit limit

You asked and asked. And then asked some more. Now you've got it. And we're thrilled to give it to you.

As of this instant, all Rapid Rewards credits are valid for a full 24 months. That's two solid years - instead of just 12 months - before any credits expire. So any credits you currently have in your account are now valid for an additional 12 months.

Think about it. The 24-month credit expiration makes it even easier to get Award travel. Get there faster by using our Preferred Partners. You've got 2 years to earn the 16 credits you need.

Seat Restrictions and No Blackout Dates on Award Travel

Beginning February 10, 2006, all Awards issued will have no systemwide blackout dates and will be subject to seat restrictions. Restricting the number of seats for Awards helps us maintain our low-fare leadership and keep the program lucrative for you.

Please plan ahead when making your flight reservations as certain holiday or peak travel periods will be in high demand and your desired flight may not be available for Award travel.

Here are a few more things you should know:

Awards issued before February 10, 2006 will have no seat restrictions, but are subject to published blackout dates.
Awards issued on or after February 10, 2006 will have seat restrictions, but no systemwide blackout dates. Members need to be flexible when choosing times and dates to their destinations as certain holiday or peak travel periods will be in high demand and that makes booking Award travel difficult.
Last-minute Award usage will still be allowed based on seat availability.
Awards are still valid for 12 months.
Receiving a Companion Pass still only requires 100 credits within 12 months.
Companion travel will still have no seat restrictions or blackout dates.
For more information, visit southwest.com or call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA® with any questions. We're excited to bring you the changes you've been wanting in 24-month credit expiration and the elimination of blackout dates.

We hope to see you onboard soon!

Your Friends at Rapid Rewards

 

[mareed]

I just received my email with this info from SW and stopped by here to see if there were any comments. I guess we'll have to wait and see how much they restrict the # of seats. My guess would be that the seats would be restricted most around the holidays which is when the blockout days already were. We're already used to planning our flights to avoid the blockout days, so hopefully we'll still be able to find award seats when we need them.

On the other hand, I'm very glad to see the extension from 12-24 months for earning credits. Now maybe 2 DS's will be able to earn credits again. When SW had double-credit for booking flights on-line, we were able for them to earn an occasional award, but haven't been able to do so in a while. It may be very close for them.

What are anyone else's thoughts on this change?

 

[magsmom]

Very, very cool. I currently have 15.5 credits, many of which were expire at the end of the month. Now, I will make my 16th credit in 2 weeks. DD and DH may even end up getting rewards by the end of next year.

Its a free flight. I can live with the restrictions.

 

[DaveO]

I guess I am a 'cup half empty' kind of guy. But I do not think this is good. I think they are doing a marketing spin by changing the 12 months to 24 to cover the real change of restricting seats. The restricted seats are a BIG deal. I guess it will all depend how they limit them, but I will probabably cancel my SWA CC. I have tons of miles on both US Air and Delta and have a very hard time using them due to 'restricted seats'. If they blackout non stops, prime flights, and popular routes the awards will be useless for me. RR was the best FF program out there - they just took a giant leap backwards.

I hope I am wrong ...

Dave O.

 

[roelongo]

Daveo I totally agree with you. With the old plan the blackout dates were easy to work around. Restricted seats is definately going to be more difficult

 

[donnabres]

I agree that the restricted seats could be a problem for me. I have already booked for June 2006 for grandson and myself. I will have 1 ticket that will be dated before Feb. 2006, so I guess I'll have to make sure that I save that one and use it in case all the seats are gone. We are going end of June right before july 4th.
I too liked the fact that we could book as long as there was a seat available on the flight. Oh well, it's been a good thing up till now. I think that we'll also have to take flights that are not nonstop. UGH!

 

[Lewisc]

The 24 month rule just rolls the clock back. You used to get 2 points per flight. Four R/T flights in a year got you a free ticket. If it took more than a year too bad your credits expire. Now it takes 8 R/T flights, the new change just rolls the clock back. Now passengers that fly 4 flights a year can get a RR ticket, it just takes 2 years instead of 1 year.

Capacity controls all but ruins the program. SW doesn't fly to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii or other high ticket destinations. If I'm willing to be flexible I can grab low fares and don't to burn a RR ticket.