SWA and AX no longer partner after July

[snowgooseltd]

I received notice that Southwest Airlines will no longer partner with American Express points for ticket purchases. There was no further explanation except that AX points would no longer be transferable to SWA after July 1, 2010. This is disturbing because we use AX exclusively, gathering points to be used for flights, and SWA because their point exchange, for travel, was less than other airlines. Guess I'll start using another credit card and probably start checking other airlines for rates. We've used SWA only for the last nine or ten years. Anybody else know anything about this??

 

[mrsklamc]

I didn't know they WERE partnered! Darn I wish I had known, what is the exchange rate? Maybe I can get a flight in before it changes.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I didn't know they WERE partnered! Darn I wish I had known, what is the exchange rate? Maybe I can get a flight in before it changes.

I didn't realize this either.

Did you have to book on AMEX travel website?

 

[snowgooseltd]

With SWA Rapid Reward points, one point (you need 16 for a flight) is equal to 1500 AX points. The nice part was you could use only as many AX points as you needed to acquire a free flight. Right now I only need 6 points for my next free flight. That's equal to 9000 AX points. I just transferred them to SWA this morning to get a free flight coupon before the program is over.

 

[Mouse13]

I saw this change a couple of weeks ago and cashed in all my AMEX points at that time, before the annual fee was due. We ended up with 3 free flights and will be taking an extra vacation this summer as a result.

I really wish they were still going to be partners because I liked being able to transfer my points to SWA when I wanted to and transfering to the Rapid Rewards account of my choice. I cancelled my AMEX card because of this change and will be using other cards instead.

 

[CC12005]

Is the Amex $1 for 1 point? I have both the Amex & SWA Chase Visa & generally use the Southwest card. So I'm not as familiar with the Amex. Thanks.
$19,200 in purchases equal one roundtrip flight (16 credits) with Southwest. 100 rapid rewards credits in 12 months gets a free companion pass. Just in case you are interested in getting a Southwest card since that is mainly what you use the rewards for.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Can someone please explain to me how I can get my AMEX points over to Southwest Airlines before this is up. I currently have 36,652 points on AMEX. Do I just call Southwest Airlines and say I would like to transfer over my AMEX points for a free flight? TIA.

 

[rickdeni]

After you log in to your AX account, you click on "Membership Rewards" and then click on "View Points Summary" and from there I transfer my points. However, if you have not already done so you will have to register your Rapid Rewards Membership on "Linked Travel Programs". It immediately transfers the points.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

After you log in to your AX account, you click on "Membership Rewards" and then click on "View Points Summary" and from there I transfer my points. However, if you have not already done so you will have to register your Rapid Rewards Membership on "Linked Travel Programs". It immediately transfers the points.

Thank you.

 

[mrsklamc]

Does anyone know- if I transferred the points to RR credits now, how long the credits are good. It' just DH and I and he just HAPPENS to have the right amount of points for 2 round trip tickets!

 

[rickdeni]

RR awards are good for one year.

 

[Telcogirl]

Thank you for posting this. I have AMEX points that I have been meaning to transfer and have not gotten around to doing it. I will certainly get those moved over today!

I am sad to see this benefit go.

 

[snowbunny]

Doesn't bother me as the no-fee Amex card (Blue) was excluded, anyway. I wasted time trying to make it work with RR credits until finally calling in frustration and was told the program is only for cards with an annual fee (e.g., green card).