question for the SW RR experts

[lionqueen]

I have a question for you RR experts for SWA. I have 8 "old credits" from the old RR program and just got the southwest visa with the 50000 points for the new program. It would take 9600 points to get the remaining 8 credits to turn my old rewards into a standard award voucher. My question is: is it a good use of points to convert them into a standard award or should I just let the old rewards expire and start fresh with the new program??? I want to get the most of the RR program but not sure the best way to do it. thanks!!

 

[LisaS]

The 9600 points you would use have a value of $160. For that $160 you will get two one-way tickets. If you plan to use them to travel somewhere where you cannot purchase two one-ways for less than $160, then it's worth it to convert the points and get the award. Once you convert the points and cause the award to be granted, you will have one year to use it.

There are a limited number of award seats available. Some flights don't have any, as I discovered recently when trying to use an award for a non-stop flight the minute the flight went on sale. I was able to use them on a different (connecting) flight however. The problem is that I wasn't able to see if there were any award seats available for my travel dates prior to converting the points so I just took a leap of faith, converted the points, got the award and then was relieved that I was able to use them for something, even though it wasn't for the flights I preferred.

 

[kandt]

The problem is that I wasn't able to see if there were any award seats available for my travel dates prior to converting the points so I just took a leap of faith, converted the points, got the award and then was relieved that I was able to use them for something, even though it wasn't for the flights I preferred.

My husband called to see which flights you could use a reward ticket for before converting.

 

[lionqueen]

thanks.....another question.....if you "buy" a flight with points and the amount of points goes down a month or two later can you get your points refunded back into your account like you do with cash???

 

[lionqueen]

My husband called to see which flights you could use a reward ticket for before converting.

i was wondering about that...that's a great idea!!!!

 

[LisaS]

My husband called to see which flights you could use a reward ticket for before converting.

Good to know. I was booking at 6am eastern time so I'm not sure if anybody is available at that hour but this information may help someone else. Thanks!

 

[LoveToDisney]

thanks.....another question.....if you "buy" a flight with points and the amount of points goes down a month or two later can you get your points refunded back into your account like you do with cash???

Yes you can. I called and asked about that. I also wanted to know what happens if I had to cancel--they go back into your account to be used for any other flight you wish to purchase with points.

 

[thunderbird1]

thanks.....another question.....if you "buy" a flight with points and the amount of points goes down a month or two later can you get your points refunded back into your account like you do with cash???

Yes you can. I called and asked about that. I also wanted to know what happens if I had to cancel--they go back into your account to be used for any other flight you wish to purchase with points.

Did SW happen to tell you how you would do this? I'm trying to get back 600 points but keep getting an error message online. I suppose I could just get on the phone and talk to a human being.

 

[mareed]

Did SW happen to tell you how you would do this? I'm trying to get back 600 points but keep getting an error message online. I suppose I could just get on the phone and talk to a human being.

You should be able to do it with the "change reservation", but when I've tried that recently it seems to have a bug which sounds like what you're also finding. I just cancelled the original flight and then booked the new one at the lower points.

If you have enough points, I recommend booking the new one first just to be sure, and then cancelling the other one. But if you don't have enough extra points, you'll just have to cancel first and then book with the points. I did find that the points were immediately credited back to my account. Hope this helps!