Southwest Rapid Rewards Vent

[Buzz's Buddy]

Why doesn't Southwest allow you to view Reward availablility without having the Rewards already in your account?

I was considering transferring American Express points into my account in order to purchase Reward seats; however, I can't check availability until after I transfer the points.

And then what happens when I transfer the points and they have no availability? I can't undo the transer so I'd be stuck with Rewards I can't use for my upcoming trip.

Other airlines do allow you to check availability without having the points in your account. I checked AirTran and JetBlue specifically, and both allow this.

Why doesn't Southwest???

 

[Michael623]

I don't have an answer for you but I would like to join your rant. It is truly the only thing I hate about SW.

 

[Rpsemont]

I understand your frustration. I'm sure AMEX is still participating in the point transfer. THere was a notice about it being discontinued FWIW, I never was able to transfer AE Optima points to SWA. AE didn't allow it.
Aslo, generally you can only book the cheapest two levels of travel with RR. For instance, right now, BDL - MCO ranges from $139 to $151 to $167 to $202 for travel during October. On some days $139 is the lowest, on ather days $151 is the lowest. Checking RR availability (I happen to have an unused ticket) you can only use the RR on flights that are $139 or $151 - the $167 and up shows as not available for a standard reward. Unless you're booking last minute travel (under 7 days) which sometimes allow for RR to be used on what would normally be expensive tickets, you can figure that only the cheap seats can be traded out. I miss the old days when there were date restrictions, but if there was a seat on the plane, you could use the standard award.

Good luck!

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Let me know your dates and which airport you're flying from and I will check for you.

I've had luck just calling SWA and asking if there are any RR seats available.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Thanks. My dates are 12/28/10 to 1/5/11, leaving from PHL.

You can still redeem AmEx points with SW, but only until June 30th.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Thanks. My dates are 12/28/10 to 1/5/11, leaving from PHL.

No availability going down but all available for return. I checked for 2 passengers.

 

[miprender]

Vent away... we had five Rapid Rewards to use after transferring some AMEX points and I was upset that they are really not that easy to use. Even though they say there are only a few black out dates (none which were when we were flying) we really had to change our trip from the beginning of November to December.

But the SW rep on the phone was very helpful in helping me pick dates that would accomodate all 5 tickets because she stated there are only 7 RR seats on a flight.