SW Rapid Rewards - I'm confused

[eeyoreforever]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

If you make reservations for 3 people, do all 3 people need their own rapid reward number?

When you are going to redeem points, if you make a reservation for those 3 people, can you use the points from each of the 3 different rapid reward numbers?

I didn't word that very well but I hope someone knows what I'm trying to ask.

I'm really trying to figure out if I have to make 3 separate reservations-one for each person using their number. Hopefully, this is not the case.

Thanks for any help

 

[StanH]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

If you make reservations for 3 people, do all 3 people need their own rapid reward number?
Only if you want all 3 people to earn Rapid Reward points.

When you are going to redeem points, if you make a reservation for those 3 people, can you use the points from each of the 3 different rapid reward numbers?
You can, if you make each reservation individually. Sign in with the first Rapid Reward number, book 1 flight for Flier #1, complete the transaction. Sign in with the next Rapid Reward # and book a flight for Flier #2, etc.

I didn't word that very well but I hope someone knows what I'm trying to ask.

I'm really trying to figure out if I have to make 3 separate reservations-one for each person using their number. Hopefully, this is not the case.
It is the case, unfortunately

Thanks for any help
You're welcome!

Hope that clears it up!

 

[eeyoreforever]

Thanks for the info!

So, if I do one of the offers on the credit card and get 50,000 points in my account, I can then book a trip for myself and my 2 kids on one reservation and use the 50,000 to pay for it, correct?

 

[3happydancers]

Thanks for the info!

So, if I do one of the offers on the credit card and get 50,000 points in my account, I can then book a trip for myself and my 2 kids on one reservation and use the 50,000 to pay for it, correct?

Correct

We just did this last week when SWA opened flights thru August. My DH had 50,000 rewards points. I went on SWA and booked 4 flights at the same time using those points. I had to first long into his rewards account, then proceeded to choose a flight for all 4 of us, input everyone's information and completed the transaction. We did receive 4 different conf#'s, one for each of us, but only 1 purchase.

Hope this helps

 

[eeyoreforever]

3happydancers - why did you receive 4 different confirmation numbers? I'm still lost. I did apply for the card earlier today though and it said I would get the 50,000 points!!!

 

[3happydancers]

3happydancers - why did you receive 4 different confirmation numbers? I'm still lost. I did apply for the card earlier today though and it said I would get the 50,000 points!!!

To be honest, I don't understand why we get seperate conf#, but I was told that is how the rewards system works.

Nevertheless, we DID receive our free flights and it was awesome not to dole out cash!!!!

So, all I can say is ENJOY!!!!!

 

[drinkme]

I received the 50,000 pts last Fall. Here's how it worked: I got the 50,000 in my account. I went to SWA and booked a trip to WDW for 3 people and used the 50,000 from my account for me and my 2 kids. It gave us 3 different confirmation numbers. If you pay with a credit card (not points), then you get just one confirmation number. When you go to checkin for your flight 24 hrs in advance you have to checkin each person separately. I got 3 different boarding numbers that weren't next to each other. It wasn't a big deal for me because my kids are older. I had the earliest boarding number so I boarded first and just saved seats for the kids. On the flight home, I just asked if the kids could board with me even though they had later numbers and they were allowed to.

Now, if you are paying with a cc, then each person can accumulate their own points. On another flight where I paid with a cc, where I had to type in the all of our names it had a spot to put in their RR# (each person can get their own RR#). So, the kids are accumulating points with each flight. It's my understanding that if you don't put a RR# in for each person on the flight, there is NO points given to anyone for that person's flight purchase. kwim?

HTH

 

[papamouse1]

When I joined about a year ago, we were told that I could only use my points to book my flight, not anyon else's... so gald to hear that was wrong.

We were also told that when booking flights, the only person earning reward miles was me... I wouldn't earn any on my wife and kids flight booked on same reservation. We have actually built rewards accounts for all 4 of us because of what i was told. Think I am going to call them and see if they can consolidate these accounts into mine... would be so much easier

 

[3happydancers]

I received the 50,000 pts last Fall. Here's how it worked: I got the 50,000 in my account. I went to SWA and booked a trip to WDW for 3 people and used the 50,000 from my account for me and my 2 kids. It gave us 3 different confirmation numbers. If you pay with a credit card (not points), then you get just one confirmation number. When you go to checkin for your flight 24 hrs in advance you have to checkin each person separately. I got 3 different boarding numbers that weren't next to each other. It wasn't a big deal for me because my kids are older. I had the earliest boarding number so I boarded first and just saved seats for the kids. On the flight home, I just asked if the kids could board with me even though they had later numbers and they were allowed to.

Now, if you are paying with a cc, then each person can accumulate their own points. On another flight where I paid with a cc, where I had to type in the all of our names it had a spot to put in their RR# (each person can get their own RR#). So, the kids are accumulating points with each flight. It's my understanding that if you don't put a RR# in for each person on the flight, there is NO points given to anyone for that person's flight purchase. kwim?

HTH

Thanks for the information about the boarding passes. My DD, and my nephew who is joining us, are in their teens so I guess if our boarding pass numbers are not right next to each other, we should still be ok. I was unsure about saving seats. I have read where some say it's ok and others may not agree. I did call SWA and asked about policies and they said they did not have a policy on saving seats but recommended not saving more than 1 or 2 out of respect for other passangers. Were the other passangers ok with seat saving? I just don't want to get anyone upset.

 

[eeyoreforever]

Now it is all making sense.

Thank you to all of you for your input. I had 2 round trip flights in the last year so I did put in my request to receive my points for those. I've already received the points for 1 segment. It was actually 4 one way flights. So those points should help also.

We will be flying in May and I've figured that with my points and a credit that I have with SW I should end up getting my flights for about $8 - assuming the fares don't go up by the time I get my card and use it and get my 50,000 points.

I'm so excited about this

 

[3happydancers]

When I joined about a year ago, we were told that I could only use my points to book my flight, not anyon else's... so gald to hear that was wrong.

We were also told that when booking flights, the only person earning reward miles was me... I wouldn't earn any on my wife and kids flight booked on same reservation. We have actually built rewards accounts for all 4 of us because of what i was told. Think I am going to call them and see if they can consolidate these accounts into mine... would be so much easier

Just in case others don't know, I learned over the weekend that when you purchase flights with points, and you get a credit (for whatever reason), the credit is just returned to your rewards bank . As opposed to paying by cc where if you get a credit (due to whatever reason like a price drop), you have to use the credit within one year of the purchase date.

I am liking this because a few times (after they changed their rules), I ended up with credit that I could not use and was no longer allowed to let anyone else use it. I used to barter my credits with my hair stylist for free hair cuts.

 

[3happydancers]

Now it is all making sense.

Thank you to all of you for your input. I had 2 round trip flights in the last year so I did put in my request to receive my points for those. I've already received the points for 1 segment. It was actually 4 one way flights. So those points should help also.

We will be flying in May and I've figured that with my points and a credit that I have with SW I should end up getting my flights for about $8 - assuming the fares don't go up by the time I get my card and use it and get my 50,000 points.

I'm so excited about this

I know what you mean. We actually paid for early bird check in for our flight home this way I would not have to stop whatever I was doing at the 24 hour mark to check in. Being we saved so much on our tickets I figured spending 40 bucks on EBC was very affordable. The one thing I don't understand is why I was still charged 2.50 per person which had to be paid by cc. By any chance, do you guys know the answer to this?

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Now it is all making sense.

Thank you to all of you for your input. I had 2 round trip flights in the last year so I did put in my request to receive my points for those. I've already received the points for 1 segment. It was actually 4 one way flights. So those points should help also.

We will be flying in May and I've figured that with my points and a credit that I have with SW I should end up getting my flights for about $8 - assuming the fares don't go up by the time I get my card and use it and get my 50,000 points.

I'm so excited about this

Not sure how much of a credit you have but I wanted to let you know when you book with reward points you cannot use any credits or other ways to pay, points only. If you don't have enough points for all the tickets then you will need to buy points to make enough. Of course you could just buy 1 ticket separate from the others with the credit and CC if needed.

 

[eeyoreforever]

Not sure how much of a credit you have but I wanted to let you know when you book with reward points you cannot use any credits or other ways to pay, points only. If you don't have enough points for all the tickets then you will need to buy points to make enough. Of course you could just buy 1 ticket separate from the others with the credit and CC if needed.

My credit is just about enough to cover one ticket (one way). I always book flights one way, so that they are easier to change if I need to. I don't mind booking 2 tickets with points and then making another purchase for one ticket using the credit. If it saves me money, I'm all for it!!!!!!!!

Thanks for letting us know that so I'm prepared.

 

[Bobo912]

When I joined about a year ago, we were told that I could only use my points to book my flight, not anyon else's... so gald to hear that was wrong.

We were also told that when booking flights, the only person earning reward miles was me... I wouldn't earn any on my wife and kids flight booked on same reservation. We have actually built rewards accounts for all 4 of us because of what i was told. Think I am going to call them and see if they can consolidate these accounts into mine... would be so much easier

You can use your point to book a flight for anyone you choose. But when you earn rewards points, only the person whose name is on the ticket earns points, not the person who makes the reservation or purchases the tickets. Setting up separate rapid rewards accounts for your wife and kids is the only way they will earn any points and you cannot earn points for their flights. So you did the right thing, because what you were told is correct.

 

[Ariel224]

I know what you mean. We actually paid for early bird check in for our flight home this way I would not have to stop whatever I was doing at the 24 hour mark to check in. Being we saved so much on our tickets I figured spending 40 bucks on EBC was very affordable. The one thing I don't understand is why I was still charged 2.50 per person which had to be paid by cc. By any chance, do you guys know the answer to this?

This is the 9/11 security fee, which can't be paid in points.