SWA offer - Opinions

[pooch]

I have never been good at figuring the value of points with SWA Rapid Rewards. Any input would be appreciated. I have an offer for 50% more points if you buy a minimum of 5000. So that would be 7500 points for $137.50. Additionally, my DH's RR card is offering 4X points on SWA purchases and I THINK it includes buying points (have the form at home to verify). If so, the purchase would earn an additional 550 points there for a total of 8050 points for $137.50.

I looked at a random flight for $134 (close as I could get) and it was 7245 points. So I'm thinking this is a good deal? Yes? No? Maybe?

 

[nalajms]

If so, the purchase would earn an additional 550 points there for a total of 8050 points for $137.50.
So I'm thinking this is a good deal? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It depends which fare you buy with those points and it varies by when and where you fly. If you use them for the lower fares, it's a good deal. If you use them for the more expensive ones, they are not.

As an example, for our flights if I book the $106 one way at 6k points it's cheaper to buy the miles. For that fare, it's 1.77 cents per point. $137.50 would get me 7700 points.
For the more expensive WGA fare of $179 at 11k points, it's more expensive. For that fare, it's 1.58 cents per point. $137.50 would get me 8700 points.

Hope that didn't confuse you!

 

[WiscMomof2]

Sounds about right. I just flew on points a few weeks ago and a it was 9305 points for around a 160ish one way flight.

 

[pooch]

What I am confused about is how you come up with $1.77 per point. I can never figure out how to get the "per point" cost. I can get to each $1 costs 60 points (using your example above) but my math won't go the other way!! I took the 7245 points for a $134 fare and 7245 divided by 134 is 54 points per dollar. 54 times $137.50 is 7425 points so I'd get 625 more than I paid for? See - I don't get this!!!

Oh, and I always buy the cheapest fares! I'm creatively frugal!!!!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I checked the flights I would normally take and it was 7440 points or $137 for the flight. With the deal
Southwest is selling the points for 7500 for $137. I did buy some points because I plan to travel
in January and I would rather have a points trip than a money trip as if the weather is bad canceling a
points trip is easier. With points you get all the points back and not have to worry like a credit that has
to be used in a certain time frame. I used my rapid reward Visa so if I get a few extra bonus points that
would be great.

My conclusion is: it's a good deal if you prefer points and will use them fairly soon. It is not necessarily the best deal or saving you money.
For me I want the points for a January trip.

 

[pooch]

and I do prefer points for exactly that reason. I have some time to stew about it but I think it is worth it as I'd get 8050 points - 600 more than your $137 flight cost.

 

[elaine amj]

Hmm...its rare that buying airmiles is a good deal. I will have to check this out. like many of you said, using points is so much more flexible than paying cash. Anbd I'm running out of points and need to book our christmas flights soon.

 

[kristenrice]

Can I ask where you got the 50% bonus code/offer? I'm curious because I have the SW Visa and I could use a few extra points for our next trip and I've never received a 50% bonus offer. I've gotten 20-30%, but not 50...that's awesome.

 

[pooch]

I got an email but I think if you go on the rapid rewards site, it's there. This is not tied to my rapid rewards visa. Just click on the buy points link & I think you'll find it. My DHs visa is running the 4x points promo. My promo is different, spend $5000 by 7/15 and get an extra 3000 points. Since we're buying new appliances, not a problem!

 

[nalajms]

$ per point = $/points. The ticket I had was $106 or 5984pts. $106 divided by 5984pts gives me 1.77 cents per point, not dollars . To buy 8050pts at that price would cost $142.60.

If I had bought the more expensive morning flight, it was $179 or 11,352pts. This equals 1.58 cents per point. At that price, 8050pts costs $126.93 to buy.

So if you know you'll buy the lowest cost fare, it's a good deal to get this promo!

 

[pooch]

$ per point = $/points. The ticket I had was $106 or 5984pts. $106 divided by 5984pts gives me 1.77 cents per point, not dollars . To buy 8050pts at that price would cost $142.60.

If I had bought the more expensive morning flight, it was $179 or 11,352pts. This equals 1.58 cents per point. At that price, 8050pts costs $126.93 to buy.

So if you know you'll buy the lowest cost fare, it's a good deal to get this promo!

Oh god thank you!! This has been confusing me forever!!!

 

[kristenrice]

I got an email but I think if you go on the rapid rewards site, it's there. This is not tied to my rapid rewards visa. Just click on the buy points link & I think you'll find it.

Unfortunately, there is no special on my account. Oh well...

EDITED: I just looked at my daughter's account and SHE has the offer! That's lovely
I did the math and I could use her account to gift the points to me for $137.50, but I would still be 755 points short for my upcoming trip...which I need to book ASAP. I have enough points in my account to cover one way, but not the other, which would still cost me $130 OOP. I wouldn't be saving any money by buying the points, but it would allow me to book the entire trip on points which makes it a "fully-refundable" fare. It would be $220 to bump it up to the next level and that is more than I am willing to pay right now. It's a tempting offer, though...

 

[pooch]

DH and I both have our own SWA Visa's and we never get the same offer. So if his offer is better, we use his card or vise versa. I always check both accounts for deals.

 

[hsmamato2]

personally? If I knew I would be traveling at some point ( I usually am) I would get points, simply b/c of the ease of booking etc using points.....