Southwest Airlines tail at Oshkosh 2010
Southwest Airlines is at it again, doing some innovative things. This time they are announcing a new and improved rewards program for frequent fliers. Their Rapid Rewards plan was already a bit different. Most airlines you collect miles. The longer the route you fly, the more miles you get. The old Southwest Rapid Rewards program was based on flights. You fly eight round trip flights, no matter the amount of miles and you get a free trip. Now, the new Rapid Rewards program will be dependent on the amount of money you spend on your ticket. Hmm, interesting.
If you decide to buy a Business Select ticket, you get more rewards. If the cheapest tickets are all sold out and you have to pay more, at least you can feel a bit better knowing you will get more rewards. This is not a bad idea at all.
’œThis year we enter our fifth decade of giving Americans the Freedom to fly, and what better way to kick off the year than to introduce a new frequent flyer program that our Customers are going to LUV,’ said Southwest’s Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly.
If you already have an account and awards, do not worry, you will not lose them when the new program goes live on March 1, 2011. There are no black out dates and every seat can be a rewards seat. So if you have earned a free ticket and there is a seat left on the flight — it is yours.
To learn more, check out Southwest’s site that is dedicated to the changes: NewRapidRewards.com.
Not good. Southwest controls the price, meaning they have control over how many miles you get. They obviously weren’t making enough using their old program.
Some great posts. Love Southwest…they are a big part of my travel humor blog:
Travel Humor – Biz Traveler’s Dictionary
Well yes it seems that Southwest Airlines is starting to get with the program and taking advantage of passenger loyalty. I am not surpirsed at all that they are making this move. It will make them more competative, not that they were ever too threatened as they have been making money the whole time through.
THE REWARDS PROGRAM THAT SOUTHWEST HAD WAS GREAT! IT WAS NOT BROKE. THE NEW AND IMPROVED ONE IS NOT GOOD AT ALL. IT SCREWS THE LOYAL CUSTOMERS LIKE MY SELF THAT HAVE USED SOUTHWEST AIR FOR YEARS. BAD BUSSINESS DECISION.