AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - Is there a FAQ thread/post here for Airtran?

Hi. I am coming over from the WN forum to learn about Airtran now that both programs' points/credits have reciprocity.

I am trying to get up-to-speed, as there seem to be some very good opportunities right now for transfers; I urge you to the a look as these may not last forever.

Is there a FAQ here? I searched and did not find one. Airtran's A+ website does not answer all the questions I have.

The big ones right now: I am based at MDW. What defines a "one-way" for the purposes of redeeming A+ credits? Must there be a connection within a specific time? Can you custom-build a redemption as you can with WN? At the moment I am specifically looking at MDW-BDA and it won't even allow a revenue ticket purchase.

If anyone would like to chat on the phone to exchange info about WN and Airtran, please PM me your number. Thanks for any pointers.

Understand "custom-building" redemption and other FAQs will all be explained Monday (4/23) on the SWA website.

1200 RR pts = 1 A+ Credit.

Standard reward: 16 A+ Credits = WN one-way

Freedom reward: 32 A+ Credits - WN r/t

Standard reward: 16 A+ Credits = WN one-way

Freedom reward: 32 A+ Credits - WN r/t

So if I'm reading you correctly, the redemption rate for A+ Credits to WN reward flights is 50% of their value on FL.

16 A+ Credits = FL round trip or WN one-way. If that's correct, there's nothing to get excited about.

Understand "custom-building" redemption and other FAQs will all be explained Monday (4/23) on the SWA website.

1200 RR pts = 1 A+ Credit.

Standard reward: 16 A+ Credits = WN one-way

Freedom reward: 32 A+ Credits - WN r/t

This is not right. It is 1:1, back and forth. 16 A+ = 16 WN, an automatic RT Award (or two one-ways).

Main difference is that A+ gives a one-way award with 8 credits, upon specific conversion request. With WN it is automatic at 16. WN has no single one-way Award.

One WN Std. Award can <=> 16 A+. One WN Freedom can => 32 A+, but NOT THE REVERSE apparently. Very nice feature for those who say they cannot use old-style WN Awards or Freedom Awards.

There is a lot of scope for playing around here.

Details:

http://www.rewardsfarther.com/rewards-conversion-faq/

What is the rewards exchange rate?

Transferring Rapid Rewards to A+ Rewards:
1,200 Rapid Rewards Points = 1 A+ Rewards Credit1
1 Rapid Rewards Credit = 1 A+ Rewards Credit2
1 Standard Award = 16 A+ Rewards Credits3
1 Freedom Award = 32 A+ Rewards Credits4
1 Rewards Points can be converted in increments of 300. The expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will be one year from the date of creation.Please note that Rapid Rewards Points that are transferred into A+ Rewards Credits cannot be transferred back into Rapid Rewards as points. 2Rapid Rewards Credits can be converted in increments of .25 credits. The expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will be the same as the original expiration date of the Rapid Rewards Credits transferred. 3Active one-way Certificates can be transferred for 8 A+ Rewards Credits. The expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will remain the same as the original expiration date on the Award/Certificate. 4Active one-way Certificates can be transferred for 16 A+ Rewards Credits. The expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will remain the same as the original expiration date on the Award/Certificate.
Transferring A+ Rewards to Rapid Rewards:
1 A+ Rewards Credit = 1 Rapid Rewards Credit5
5Credits can be converted in increments of .25 credits. The expiration date of newly created Rapid Rewards Credits will be the same as the original expiration date of the A+ Rewards Credits converted. Once you reach 16 total combined credits in your Rapid Rewards account, a Standard Award will automatically generate, carrying an expiration date of one year from the date the Award was created.

Best of luck.

On the current schedule BWI-BDA's single flight departs at 11:05am. Too early to connect from MDW-ATL-BWI. MKE has the same problem until an early morning MKE-BWI returns. As of now a connection has to be available to book it...

However, if you'd be willing to drive to GRR that would be GRR-BWI-BDA though you'd want to check availability before transfer. GRR would be a long 3+ hour drive but timewise probably less than connecting through ATL if a connection did exist.

Unlike WN FL has two class seating. OW Coach for 8 credits and BC for 16 credits. Availability for BC is usually much better.

PS- while BDA is out of the picture from MDW you still have Aruba, Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and Nassau. In addition to domestic islands of San Juan and Key West.

On the current schedule BWI-BDA's single flight departs at 11:05am. Too early to connect from MDW-ATL-BWI. MKE has the same problem until an early morning MKE-BWI returns. As of now a connection has to be available to book it...

However, if you'd be willing to drive to GRR that would be GRR-BWI-BDA though you'd want to check availability before transfer. GRR would be a long 3+ hour drive but timewise probably less than connecting through ATL if a connection did exist.

Unlike WN FL has two class seating. OW Coach for 8 credits and BC for 16 credits. Availability for BC is usually much better.

PS- while BDA is out of the picture from MDW you still have Aruba, Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and Nassau. In addition to domestic islands of San Juan and Key West.

Thank you for the GRR idea and your other comments.

So what if it takes more than one year to accumulate 16 credits? On the one year anniversary of the first of the 16 credits, would you lose that first one? Or is there no expiration on accumulating credits upto 16 and once you get to 16, you get a one year expiration on the voucher?

So what if it takes more than one year to accumulate 16 credits? On the one year anniversary of the first of the 16 credits, would you lose that first one? Or is there no expiration on accumulating credits upto 16 and once you get to 16, you get a one year expiration on the voucher?

Yes, at one year the credit would expire (2yrs for Elites) FL credits with an expiration can be extended for $$ if you choose. Then apparently with the new transfer those 16 credits transferred to WN convert to a WN RT voucher good for one year.

Minor correction. It does not transfer to WN as a round trip voucher. It transfers and becomes 2 one-way vouchers

Revisions for accuracy or completeness would be more than welcome at the short Wiki section on AirTran/Southwest transfers (http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Southwest_Rapid_Rewards#Transition_from_A irTran.27s_A.2B_Rewards_to_the_new_Rapid_Rewards). No need to be shy about it!