Southwest Rapid Rewards - Are the past "A-listers" sick of the new rewards system yet?

My last three flights have been A59, B4 and A53. Keep in mind I booked all of these flights more than 3 weeks ahead of time (the A59 was 5 weeks ahead). I've also been an A lister for 3+ years (also a companion pass holder and cc holder). I'm just wondering if any other original A listers are annoyed with the lower points requirement for A list and how it's affected you.

My last three flights have been A59, B4 and A53. Keep in mind I booked all of these flights more than 3 weeks ahead of time (the A59 was 5 weeks ahead). I've also been an A lister for 3+ years (also a companion pass holder and cc holder). I'm just wondering if any other original A listers are annoyed with the lower points requirement for A list and how it's affected you.

You're saying you're A-List now under the new system and still getting A50+ and B4? That's odd.. My worst as an A-Lister was A42 and as AList Pref the worst has been A24.

My last three flights have been A59, B4 and A53. Keep in mind I booked all of these flights more than 3 weeks ahead of time (the A59 was 5 weeks ahead). I've also been an A lister for 3+ years (also a companion pass holder and cc holder). I'm just wondering if any other original A listers are annoyed with the lower points requirement for A list and how it's affected you.

I would call CS and have them verify that your A-List status is actually being used to determine your boarding order. There were a few reports early on that this was not occurring and a phone call got it fixed. It is not inconceivable that with the WN computer system that a disjointed error such as this might occur.

Have you checked passenger around you to determine that you are actually among A-List passengers? If you find that you are the only A-list standing in your areas, then the computer is indeed throwing you a curve ball.

Finally, it is possible that you are on a popular commuter route with a lot of A-list people, but even with that your numbers seem high. However, you may be right. There is a significant difference between 25 flights and 32 flights. Furthermore, I cleared A-List and A+ on points before flights so that may add even more. Those people that were regular flyers in the areas getting bonus TQP promotions early in the year could rack them up in a hurry.

I am A+ with CP for last two years. 75+ flights per year. Never had worse than A20. Almost always A16-A18.

I am A+ with CP for last two years. 75+ flights per year. Never had worse than A20. Almost always A16-A18.

Same here. After I got to 500k points I switched my flights to delta. Will be back soon to close out the year on WN. Always get A-16 or 17...when not in BS. I am generally surprised when there is someone in front of me.

But the OP is A-list, not A+ as I am and as the few posters above me are. The worst I have had is A22. It is a very significant difference. I wonder what the ration of A-list to A+ is. It may make a difference.

And if Nelly16 is getting real A-list boarding positions, the EBCI folks are really getting burned.

So at the 36hr mark the computer checks in A+, A- then EB in that order?

What kinds of flights are these? I am now A+, but I was A-list until very recently this year. On Monday-morning SAN-SJC flights, I was usually someplace between A-45 and B-30. I had much better numbers on Thursday evening SJC-SAN. If the OP is flying elite-intensive commuter flights, those numbers seem plausible to me.

So at the 36hr mark the computer checks in A+, A- then EB in that order?

A+ and A- get their boarding passes assigned at the same time but the order is determined so that A+ boards before A-. EB is after that and before T-24, but I am not sure when.

My last three flights have been A59, B4 and A53. Keep in mind I booked all of these flights more than 3 weeks ahead of time (the A59 was 5 weeks ahead).

You didn't say what route(s) and times of day you are flying. If you are on commuter heavy flights during the prime commute times, then I wouldn't be surprised that you are getting flights that low. You also didn't say if you are buying WGA or Anytime and I think we're all pretty sure the amount of the fare plays into it somehow.

As A+ my 2nd flight tomorrow is about the worst I've had at A22. When I was just A-List, there were several times on some commuter heavy flights out of Dallas that I would get very high A's.

I'm A- and had A39 from SJC to ONT yesterday on a WGA fare. I'm sure the fact that it was only my 10th WN flight YTD has something to do with it. I haven't seen better than A25 all year.

A+ and A- get their boarding passes assigned at the same time but the order is determined so that A+ boards before A-. EB is after that and before T-24, but I am not sure when.

If two A+ members are on the same flight, does the WN determine who gets the better boarding number by fare paid? Also, I normally qualify for A+ and CP well before I accrue the number of segments needed for status. I earn status by points which equate to fare paid. I fly longer distance flights, so my average fare is probably around $400+ roundtrip and sometimes higher. Am I continually getting A16-A17 because I spend more than others on a yearly basis, or does WN not factor in cost of ticket when determining boarding order? Just curious how it works.

If two A+ members are on the same flight, does the WN determine who gets the better boarding number by fare paid?

I think A+ is sorted by time of booking AND by the amount of $ spent overall. The first part of last year I was on a lot of $29/39/49 WGA fares and was constantly A20-25. Once I started buying Anytime/BS fares, my A+ number shot up to A16-18 and has (mostly) stayed there.

WN has never announced its algorithm for seat assignments for elites.

Eventually, with enough anecdotes, we may be able to sort of figure it out.

Maybe it's just me then, but I've had terrible luck. I used to get A16-24 but have been no where near on many of my flights lately. My flight tomorrow is A24 so that's not bad, though. The B4 was a commuter heavy flight, but the other 2 were not. I also have been booking with just points mostly since I have so many to use up. Oh, and yes, the people around me were all Alisters.

I guess my opinion is that the benefits are much more limited now that it takes less to achieve. Heck, my A59 was out of MCO which doesn't even have a fly by lane so I pretty much received no benefit with that booking.

Maybe it's just me then, but I've had terrible luck. I used to get A16-24 but have been no where near on many of my flights lately. My flight tomorrow is A24 so that's not bad, though. The B4 was a commuter heavy flight, but the other 2 were not. I also have been booking with just points mostly since I have so many to use up. Oh, and yes, the people around me were all Alisters.

I guess my opinion is that the benefits are much more limited now that it takes less to achieve. Heck, my A59 was out of MCO which doesn't even have a fly by lane so I pretty much received no benefit with that booking.

That all makes sense. Did you pay for the MCO flight? I you did you get a few extra points. Plus you got to skip the T24 dance. Other than that, you are right.

My last three flights have been A59, B4 and A53. Keep in mind I booked all of these flights more than 3 weeks ahead of time (the A59 was 5 weeks ahead).

These must be commuter-heavy flights like the ones I fly. I have gotten as high as A42 as A-list Preferred on these flights. Before RR2 I would get A17-19 every time.

Does this bother me? No. I still get my seat in Secret First Class. The airline may gain some revenue due to the incentive to pay a higher fare. That incentive would work better if the airline didn't keep it secret, but what do I know? I doubt that purchase time has any significant effect on boarding number. Fare class, including the specific fare code within the WGA category, definitely does.

I buy the cheapest fares so I'm at the tail end of A-List Preferred every time. I'll bet you do the same, right?

I always thought it was based on when you book your flight, not the cost. Now it makes sense since I've been booking almost entirely with points (I have several hundred thousand to use up). But only a few flights are commuter heavy--I frequently fly on weekends which I don't imagine are commuter heavy.