SW Giving Automatic As to CP Holders?

[inkkognito]

According to a post on flyertalk, a companion pass holder went in to check in online and discovered that he had already checked in and had A11 (i.e. would board 11th under the new rules, which supposedly start at the end of this week at MCO). I suspect that is going to disgruntle a lot of non-CP customers unless they extent that courtesy to full-fare passengers etc. too. And even then, the families will be up in arms because it makes getting A more challenging.

 

[npmommie]

What is a companion pass?

 

[inkkognito]

I'm not sure of the specifics, but if you fly about a gazillion miles a year you get some sort of free pass. It must take a lot of miles because DH doesn't have enough to earn one and he flies SW regularly and very frequently for work.

 

[BigTigger]

A Rapid Rewards Member becomes eligible for a Companion Pass upon accumulation of 100 flight credits in his/her Rapid Rewards account within 12 consecutive months. If an eligible Member chooses not to obtain a Companion Pass, no alternative award will be provided.

The Companion Pass is valid for 12 full months, beginning a calendar month after Southwest Airlines issues notification (via postcard) to the Member that the Companion Pass eligibility has been reached. The Companion Pass beginning validity date and/or expiration date cannot be extended.

A Member is limited to one Companion Pass during a single, 12-month period, regardless of how many credits (over 100) were earned. When the notification postcard is issued, the balance for your next Companion Pass accumulation resets at zero.

The Companion Pass is valid for free travel only when the Companion is accompanied on his/her flight(s) by the Rapid Rewards Member. Southwest Airlines' Contract of Carriage rules apply. The Member and the Companion will be responsible for any passenger facility charges, federal excise tax payments, or other taxes or user fees which may be assessed by law on the free travel.

https://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewards/comp_rules_and_regs.html

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Since you can also earn SW flight credits by charging to the SW credit card or by transferring Choice hotel points, you can earn a companion pass without actuall flying on SW at all. -- Suzanne

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

According to a post on flyertalk, a companion pass holder went in to check in online and discovered that he had already checked in and had A11 (i.e. would board 11th under the new rules, which supposedly start at the end of this week at MCO). I suspect that is going to disgruntle a lot of non-CP customers unless they extent that courtesy to full-fare passengers etc. too. And even then, the families will be up in arms because it makes getting A more challenging.

I don't think there's a huge population of CP individuals.... not a big deal.

 

[inkkognito]

That depends on your flight. DH takes a regular flight with a lot of business travelers who are all CP.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

That depends on your flight. DH takes a regular flight with a lot of business travelers who are all CP.

And each of these business people bring a companion traveling on a companion pass on each flight? That's where you might run into issues. Nonetheless, the CP ticket does not automatically get an A boarding pass. The SW system does not allow for the non sequential issuance of passes. They are likely issued a boarding pass at the time the actual RR member checks in and receives his or her boarding pass, whether that's an A or a B. Just like two people who bought tickets on the same itinerary.

 

[kmermaid]

I just returned yesterday and DH was my CP holder for this trip. I had conceirge at BC get my boarding passes and I was number 9 and he was 11. The woman behind us at MCO was number 10. So I don't believe he was checked in by SWA automatically.