Swa-changes coming to rr program

[buckeev]

Email from my buddies at SWA this morning..

Dear Robert:

We want to inform you of an upcoming change to the Rapid Rewards® Program that will affect the number of points needed for reward travel. Wanna Get Away® reward flight bookings made on or after March 31, 2014 will require 70 points per dollar. This is an increase from the 60 points per dollar currently required. Anytime and Business Select® reward flight redemption rates, as well as the points per dollar you earn when flying, will remain the same as they are today.

Rest assured, Rapid Rewards will continue to provide industry-leading benefits that you enjoy todayincluding unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don't expire*. We hope you understand that in order to continue providing these benefits, we must make changes to the Rapid Rewards Program from time to time.

Thank you for your continued loyalty, and for more information about redeeming points, please visit southwest.com/redeem.

Sincerely,


Ryan Green

Ryan Green
Senior Director Loyalty Marketing & Partnerships

Gee thanks Ryan, nuttin' like a 17% Increase to start my week!

 

[LisaS]

My DH and I just received this announcement too.

 

[cbnsoul]

I have the SW Visa and am wondering if it is going to be worth keeping. With the increase in flight prices (and therefore points) over the last year or two, it is taking a LOT more points for a round trip flight. When we got the card, flights were often in the $79-99 range one way. Now $150+ or so is the norm. It is taking so long to accumulate enough points, it's hardly making the card worth it. Think we may just keep our Disney Visa and use it for everything.

 

[buckeev]

I have the SW Visa and am wondering if it is going to be worth keeping. With the increase in flight prices (and therefore points) over the last year or two, it is taking a LOT more points for a round trip flight. When we got the card, flights were often in the $79-99 range one way. Now $150+ or so is the norm. It is taking so long to accumulate enough points, it's hardly making the card worth it. Think we may just keep our Disney Visa and use it for everything.

We've been VERY aggressive using Rapid Rewards Shopping for EVERYTHING we can! I've been hoarding a huge portion of my "Points Stash" for a potential Halloween 2014 Orlando long weekend, but this will put a serious dampener on that plan. Late march booking for October flights...do they put out booking dates that far in advance?

 

[LisaS]

We've been VERY aggressive using Rapid Rewards Shopping for EVERYTHING we can! I've been hoarding a huge portion of my "Points Stash" for a potential Halloween 2014 Orlando long weekend, but this will put a serious dampener on that plan. Late march booking for October flights...do they put out booking dates that far in advance?

According to information on flyertalk, on March 4, 2013 Southwest extended their schedule through November 1, 2013. If they follow the same pattern in 2014, you will get a chance to book that October trip a few weeks before the increase goes into effect. I hope it works out for you!

 

[Jestocost]

According to information on flyertalk, on March 4, 2013 Southwest extended their schedule through November 1, 2013. If they follow the same pattern in 2014, you will get a chance to book that October trip a few weeks before the increase goes into effect. I hope it works out for you!

At no time since 2010 has SWA opened October for booking later than March 24 and it has been as early as Feb. 20. Prior to 2010 October typically didn't open until April, but I doubt they'll go back to that.

Historical and Upcoming SWA Release Dates

 

[buckeev]

Cool! I knew it would probably be cutting it close!