Fewer bookings prompt hotels to offer specials ::
Hilton: Members of the Hilton HHonors program can earn double credits in Southwest's Rapid Rewards program for stays at 949 participating Hilton family
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20080921/COLUMNISTS26/809210343/-1/BACKISSUESHOME |
Hi gang,
Just got my renewal Rapid Rewards card in the mail yesterday, and during my free time decided to read the fine print on the back of the mailer. Saw this startling disclaimer:
"17. Through at least January 1, 2001, the number of seats available for Award Ticket use on any flight on nonblackout days will be limited only by the capacity of the aircraft. In other words, Award Ticket users will be afforded the same priority as full-unrestricted-fare Customers when making reservations for travel on nonblackout days. After January 1, 2001, the number of seats available for Award Ticket use on any flight may be limited."
Have they had this disclaimer before, or is this something new? I can't remember seeing it before. The fact that they have a specific date is interesting. In the past on the back of Rapid Rewards tickets, they have just generally said the number of seats may be limited.
Has anyone else heard anything about this?? Could our days of guaranteed free flights be gone soon?
WNLuvr
I first noticed this disclaimer in the RR rules & conditions about two or three years ago and hoped they would repeal it as the time got close.
Well, I just went to their website and read through the rules, and they've pushed it back by two years:
18.Through at least January 1, 2003 the number of seats available for Award Ticket use on any flight on nonblackout days will be limited only by the
capacity of the aircraft. In other words, Award Ticket users will be afforded the same priority as full unrestricted fare Customers in making
reservations for travel on nonblackout days. After January 1, 2003, the number of seats available for Award Ticket use may be limited. .
I'm glad they haven't lost their common sense http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Let's hope the lack of capacity control stays as "temporary" as the internet booking bonus http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif.
Travel Discounts for College Students | Student Scrooge::
Sep 3, 2008 Southwest Airlines has its College Rapid Rewards Program. the college program makes obtaining a free flight feasible for students.
http://www.studentscrooge.com/2008/09/03/travel-discounts-for-college-students/HOME |
InfoWorld::
The online Rapid Rewards is now linked to its reservations system, feeding flight and mileage data automatically into the program.
http://www.infoworld.com/awards/awd_iwo_2002_6.htmlHOME |
Yonatan
[This message has been edited by yonatan (edited 10-01-2000).]
WNer
I'll be the first to fess up to a plan like that! Back when they had Click-N-Save Internet specials between LAX and PHX for $60 RT I did just that...buy 4 RT's totaling $240 and turn around and unload it on eBay for $320. I ended up EARNING $20 on each RT to PHX!
Thursday night I'm off to PHX for a mileage run...I need 4 more credits for my third companion pass. So I booked a $78 Internet special...the credits will give me my 100, plus take me over 16 for another ticket.
Back home Friday morning, then flying out to the East Coast for vacation on a RR ticket w/ Companion pass. Planning to arrive very early to snag the two "best" seats on the 737-700 A/C.
Southwest Airlines is awesome!
WNLuvr
[This message has been edited by WNLuvr (edited 10-03-2000).]
Thanks yonatan for the good news http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
While we're on the subject, thought it might be neat to do a little survey...
State Street Elementary School - Member Benefits::
Seats may be limited and may not be available on some flights that operate during peak travel times and All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.
http://www.statestreetpta.org/68.htmlHOME |
Air Travel: Best Frequent Flyer Program, frequent flyer program ::
Dec 2, 2007 Populating the other end of the spectrum are the discount carriers, whose partner rosters are short at best. Southwest's Rapid Rewards
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Air-Travel-2709/Best-Frequent-Flyer-Program.htmHOME |
1. How many Rapid Rewards tickets do you earn in a typical year?
2. What percentage is flights/partner credits/credit card
3. What do you do with the tickets? Use them, give them as gifts, or...shh...sell them?
For people that fly WN quite a bit, these tickets can come almost monthly! I could imagine it would get difficult to find the time to use the free tickets after a while.
For me...
1. 7-8 RR tickets per year
2. 50% flights 50% AmEx Membership Miles
3. 60% used, 20% gifts and, well, 20% "free ticket with drink coupon purchase"! :O
WNLuvr
Hopefully when and if Southwest enforces capacity controls, they will extend the current one year expiration of their Rapid Rewards Award Tickets.
View from the Wing » Other Programs::
It will also take 3000 Diners Club points for 1 Southwest Rapid Rewards . An unknown carrier can’t simply send more than half a dozen flights a day to
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/category/other-programs/page/2/HOME |
Low-cost carrier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia::
By the end of 2007, there were over 45 low-cost carriers operating almost 3500 .. Tickets for flights between Hong Kong to London can be as low at £75
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-cost_carrierHOME |
The Fine Print has always given them the option to impliment capacity controls, but in the true Southwest spirit, "A Symbol of Freedom," they have chosen not to. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
I'm strictly a leisure traveler. Earned 2 RR tickets this year (both exclusively as a result of flights).
In 1999, I earned 4 RR tickets, two as a result of the promo First USA Southwest Visa cardholders were offered whereby in late 1998, you could write checks up to your credit limit, earning one flight credit per $1,000, with NO finance charges!! I was able to do this twice. The other two had a few credits due to RR promotions as well.
Prior to 1999, typically 2-3 per year, with a combination of flights, Amex points (haven't transferred Amex points to RR for a few years now though), RR promos and First USA Visa flight credits.
I only use RR tickets about once every other year at most. Give the others away or sell them.
By the way, I know someone who earned 200+ flight credits on WN last year, solely through flying them and booking online. Even more credits due to a few rental car deals as well. He flies out of BHM and was doing a lot of BWI and HOU trips, in addition to numerous other destinations. Too bad he couldn't get two Companion Passes. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
If they did try capacity controls, that would make them a little closer to the Uniteds of the world, firms that openly show hatred toward their customers by refusing to honor their own FF miles. Besides, I thought the % of free tix on each flight was still pretty low, at 5% or so. This is the main reason I fly SW, since my vacation plans change so rapidly, so it would probably impact future purchasing decisions if they changed the policy.
1. I earn 8-12 tickets per year (120-200 credits)
1a. best month from travel was 35: 28 from flights, 7 from car rentals
2. 30 credits on SW Visa, 80-140 credits on flights, rest from Diners Club transfers when my inventory runs low, travel partner credits are almost never worth it
3. 60% use myself, 20% gifts, 20% sell to friends/family at the discounted fare when only full fare is available
I tried for years to collect enough stamps on those temporary cards to get a free ticket but never got enough within the 1 year period. Finally I woke up and got the SWA Visa and started using it with anyone who would take it and kept track of what I owed and paid it off every month. The Visa credits + MCI credits + a few car rentals + a few Marriott nights + 4 to 5 business trips per year + 2 or 3 personal trips per year, all booked on the internet add up to 6 or 7 free tickets a year. Last year I barely made the 100 credits needed for a Companion Pass which in effect doubles my number of free tickets. This year I got the Diner's Club card with the bonus so that maybe I wont cut it so close.
So far I have used all of my tickets for vacation trips (Las Vegas, San Diego and Jacksonville) and this weekend will use some to fly into Providence to drive around and look at the foliage.
I haven't sold any drink ticket booklets with a free flight coupon but if my calculations are correct you could buy 4 tickets on the internet special say from DAL-HOU at about $80 each, earn a free ticket and sell the drink coupon booklet on E-bay with a free flight coupon and come real close to getting your money back and in effect flying 4 times for free. I wonder if anyone will 'fess up to this sort of plan?
So if I read that correctly, free flights are now 'capacity-controlled' as other airlines would call it. There could be plenty of seats on the plane but not for you as a free ticket.
That is sad... it was only a matter of time I guess.
I'm taking the family to Florida for Christmas. Just *try* that on any other airline! Gotta LUV it!
Also, my daughter is checking out a college on Long Island. Islip airport is mighty convenient, and trips to and from California would be an excellent use for my coupons.
It's nice to have eBay as a yardstick for coupon values, so we can tell when to use a coupon and when to buy a ticket. But I'd never buy or sell a ticket there, since it's a public forum. Anyhow, my earnings and usage seem to balance out well over the long run.
I've never done a mileage run on Southwest, but I've scheduled some short trips with the children when needed to beat the strict 12-month deadline. If it's true that this deadline is what it takes to make Southwest's program work, then I have no complaints. Their people are the best, by miles. (And I could add that their program is the best, by credits.)
We got 4 Rapid Reward tickets this year.
The credits were from our SW VISA card, MCI credits (they gave me four points to come back to them TWICE, and double credits for booking my few paid flights on the internet.
I gave one to my father when he was scheduled to come to Houston in Feb. He was coming on Delta and my mother got ill and he had to delay his trip by one day....the cost of the new ticket without advance purchase PLUS THE CHANGE IN TICKET FEE was crazy! I told SouthWest the situation and you won't believe the GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!! They called ahead to Michigan (I drove to Hobby to take the RAPID REWARD voucher to them) and made arrangements for him to use the ticket since he was leaving the next morning and then I gave him the other half when he got here. It took many hoops to jump through, but they did it!! I just had to plug that. Good, caring customer service is hard to find.
We had to use two when my mother in law passed away in Florida. It was super to not worry about limitations on the number of seats they will allow like other airlines! That capacity controlled stuff is a pain even when you have advanced notice of a trip.
I am using the fourth this month to go to California and take a four day cruise.
That's the single best feature of Rapid Rewards. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
 I Am a Sinner – What About You?
 Global Sourcing and Supplier Online by Dylan
|
The end of unlimited Rapid Rewards flights?