Need help from Southwest experts credit and RR

[disneydreamingdebby]

I tried to find answers on the forum, but had no luck...

1. We have credits from January for each of the four of us. According to the SW agent, I have to purchase each ticket separately to get the credits. I think I changed the flights three times- twice to save money and once to fly out before the airport closed due to snow. Does anyone know if I can apply all of the credits in one transaction instead?

2. I have a Rapids Rewards account for myself.
*Is it worth it to make an account for each member of my family and purchase the four tickets separately each time we travel?
*How long does it take to earn a free flight?
*Can the points be used to discount flights if it would take us too long to earn enough points for a free flight?
*Are their restrictions on the points?

Thanks for any help!

 

[wdwfan1]

Deleted reply

 

[wdwfan1]

When Southwest changed their Rapid Rewards program, they changed the rules. They now state that only the person whose name was originally on the ticket can use the ticketless funds towards a new ticket. I am not sure if they are enforcing this rule. When I booked a flight right after the change I was able to use my DHs funds for my ticket.

Ir can't hurt to have a Rapid Rewards account for each member of your family. It is free to join and you don't have to use it if you don't want to.

The amount of time it takes to earn a free flight depends on how much you pay for your flights. It will now take longer for those of us who use lower fares to earn a free flight. They now use a point system (based on price) instead of giving one credit for each one way ride. You can only use these rewards for a free ticket. If you dont have enought points for a free ticket, you cannot use points to get a discount. You asked about restrictions. The old rule was that if a seat was available you could use your reward for travel. There were a few blackout days, but not too many. The new rule is not as liberal. There are more blackout dates and a limited amount of tickets available on many days. This seems to change based on how many tickets are sold on a particular flight.

While the program is not as good as it was, we still like flying Southwest. Good luck booking your flight!

I am sure someone here will be able to give you more information.

 

[roadtripper]

If you are trying to get credits for future flights on Southwest, using the Southwest Visa is the best option, unless you fly frequently. The new Rapid Rewards program is based on points earned--it's explained pretty well on the website and by the previous poster.

 

[1tufgt]

From what I was reading I thought the new rewards program there weren't any blackout dates for flights as long as you had enough points to purchase the ticket you could.

Yeah I just went to the site and it says no blackout dates. I think you might have it backwards as there were more blackout dates with the old reward system compared to the newer system since it does take more flights to get more points on the cheaper tickets.

Say a flight that cost $164 cash equals 9,840 pts needed to redeem that same ticket and as long as you have the points you can book it plus the $5 fee (per ticket) that they have to charge.

 

[Rpsemont]

OK, The truth is, I'm confused but happly to help if you can clarify

1. We have credits from January for each of the four of us.

So these are flight credits you earned from taking flights in January? If so, then each person has two credits? - one for each leg of the Jan trip?

According to the SW agent, I have to purchase each ticket separately to get the credits.

Assuming we talking about Rapid Reward Flight credits, they can only be use by the individual earning the credit

I think I changed the flights three times- twice to save money and once to fly out before the airport closed due to snow. Does anyone know if I can apply all of the credits in one transaction instead?

This statement seems to apply to Ticketless Travel Fund credits which are different than the Rapid Reward credits you earn after flying. You get TTFs by buying a ticket for one amount, then changing it to a ticket for a lesser amount and it results in a credit - which is held at TTF and has nothing to do with RR.


2. I have a Rapids Rewards account for myself.

*Is it worth it to make an account for each member of my family and purchase the four tickets separately each time we travel?

It doesn't hurt to get everyone RR accounts. Doing so, does not require you to purchase tickets separately. As long as their RR # is put in when the reservation is made, they will get the RR credit.

*How long does it take to earn a free flight?

With their new system, that depends on alot of factors. I have a RR VISA and with 4 SWA trips a year and the points I get from the VISA, historically, I get about 1 ticket every 14 months. DH tries to accrue extra points through our hotel stays and car rentals, and takes the same four trips a year and has managed to get a ticket every other year. DD has never gotten a ticket because 4 trips a year won't do it. Of course, with the new system, we'll have to see if that changes for her.

*Can the points be used to discount flights if it would take us too long to earn enough points for a free flight?

Not that I know of

*Are their restrictions on the points?

In theory no, but when you can purchase a flight for $99 it might take 7000 points, but when the "cheap seats" are gone and now the same flight fare is $159, it's going to take 10,000 (all numbers are made up and for example purpose only)

RR credits have never been tranferrable, however, if you succeeded in having enough credits to buy a ticket, you could buy a ticket for anyone.

TTF used to be able to be used by people other than those who name was on the original reservation, but SWA has now closed that loophole.