Southwest Rapid Rewards - Targeted Triple Credits Promo (from PIT)

Woo. Hoo!

I registered for Rapid Rewards shortly after Southwest announced it would serve Pittsburgh. Today I got a flier in the mail (About one week before service) announcing they would start up my account with 4 free credits, and offer me triple credits for all flights to/from Pittsburgh till August 4th. With the 4 free credits that would mean I would earn a free flight after my first 2 RTs.

The best part is I already earned 2 free credits for enrolling, 2 free credits for Ding, and .5 credits through Hertz. i'm up to 8.5 credits without doing ANYTHING, and with 6 credits after my first R/T I'll only be 1.5 credits away from a free R/T (I'm going to Vegas, Baby!)

Thank you Southwest!
I just wish I had signed my wife up too, but I didn't since I didn't think she would earn 16 credits in a year (while I could dribble out credits through car rentals...)

Geez, must be nice to be in your shoes. Now all you need to do is join get into SWABIZ and I would imagine you would get 8 credits per RT (I assume the way they work SWABIZ now is that they give 2 extra credits per RT rather than pre-4/1/05 when they gave 1 extra credit per RT. And then fly to MDW and you'll get 9 credits per RT. Heck, maybe the Pirates will win the World Series and you'll get a couple extra credits thrown your way. Must be nice......................

Hmm, thanks for the tips. My company is actually part of SWABiz -- would it work that way? Would I get the SWABIZ bonus on top of the triple credits? I was a little afraid of using SWABiz to go from triple credits down to double credits. Guess I should call Southwest and ask.

And I was planning to go to Chicago for a day trip anyway.. I didn't even think that I would get those double credits... but that would be sweet!

I might buy an exploratory ticket and see if the math works out as you said, if so I might be going to Chicago pretty often and have a companion pass by August :)

I read the T&C and it states that all travel must be booked at southwest.com. Since swabiz.com seems to be a different org (at least internally at Southwest) I doubt I can combine both bonuses.

Well that sucks! We got nothing like that when SW started service from Philly. Great for PIT flyers. I hope they drive US into the ground.

I read the T&C and it states that all travel must be booked at southwest.com. Since swabiz.com seems to be a different org (at least internally at Southwest) I doubt I can combine both bonuses.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. If I'm not mistaken, others here had success getting 7 credits per RT when booking thru SWABIZ during the previous round of targeted Triple Credits (6 per RT for Triple credits and the 1 "extra" credit that SWABIZ used to give you). You might give it a try. I don't think called them would help as they would just cite the T&Cs and say that "No, you can't get it if booking on SWABIZ". Or do a search for that other thread or just ask around here who else was in this same boat and got 7 credits per RT. Anyone..................????????????????????????

pitflyer,

I'm guessing that the triple credit won't combine with the SWABIZ bonus. But, for a Chicago trip you'll still get 6 credits for the triple-credit promotion plus 2 extra for flying into MDW. If you choose to rent a car, you'll get even more, but if you don't, it's still 8 credits.

If I were you, I'd book a few weekend jaunts this way in June and July; on Saturday June 4, for example, there is a morning flight to MDW and an evening flight back to PIT that totals to $76.90. I think anyone on this board will agree that eight credits for eighty dollars is a steal.

You might be able to enroll your wife in Rapid Rewards and get her a freebie pretty darned quick at that rate of credit accumulation, should she join you to Chicago.

Needless to say, the museums and restaurants in the city are wonderful -- Chicago makes for a sweet day trip.

I did a search, you seem right. So for $49 (including taxes 14 day advance) PIT-MDW one way I get

1 credit for flight
1 credit for SWABiz
1 credit for Chicago
2 credit for triple
--
5 credits for each one-way

I'd earn a free R/T about every 1.5 round trips! If I went for the Companion Pass, I could get it in ten R/Ts costing a total of under a grand and earn six free round trips to boot (which I could then double with the Companion pass!)

I might book a oh so expensive refundable ticket ($20 more each way, come on Southwest, I'm too used to being raped by USAirways) next week to just verify this all posts as this (how long does SWA usually take to post credits) and then go crazy going back and forth to Chicago!

Right you are, my bad, I was still on the old schedule in thinking that flights to Chicago got you 1 bonus credit rather than the 2 bonus credits it gets you post 4/1/05. So 10 RR per RT. I'd definitely test it out on SWABIZ for one segment though if I were you before booking all your reservations via SWABIZ. You never know when SWA might upgrade their software to follow their T&Cs.

You might be out of luck enrolling your wife this late for RR if the triple credits was targeted. They might not send out another round of the triple credit promo, but it's worth a try. It can't hurt to sign her up............................

Thanks for the help and ideas, everyone. I went ahead and booked my first Southwest flight ever -- flying to Chicago for three hours and turning around and coming back. Will take the train downtown for a quick deep dish pizza and then turn around. Total refundable fare: $120. My most expensive pizza ever :)

I know people who love Chicago pizza, but this is ridiculous.

Please post your results here and in Pizza Run... I mean Mileage Run.

The Giordano's at 308 W Randolph is two blocks from the Washington and Wells stop on the Orange Line train. The fare should be $1.75, and if you buy a transit card and get back on the train within two hours, you can use a transfer to return for a quarter.

We don't get many WN posts in the Mileage Run forum, but this one belongs there. What a deal.

While pitflyer can (probably) get 10 credits per RT, a normal traveler flying this route can only get 4 credits per RT. I'm not sure putting this in Mileage Run would benefit other FTers since 99.99% of FTers would not be able to duplicate pitflyer's MR.

Thanks for the tip Dan. While I can eat pizza anytime, I actually will be there in the morning; will they serve pizza at 9am? I tried to go the Giordano website but its down.

So from what I read at the Chicago Transit Authority website, if I bring $2 with me I can buy a one-way fare with transfer, and use the transfer to return if I come back within 2 hours. So it will be a $120 to Southwest + $2 to CTA +cost of pizza pizza :)

As per posting on MR I also hesitate because 1) its a targeted promo, so it seems a little like bragging and 2) regular FFers hate Southwest (I know, I used to be one of them). It's a long way down from spending $35k+ a year on USAirways for Chairman's Preferred!

PS I am expecting either 6 (if the triple bonus does not stack with SWABiz) or 10 (if it does) credits for my R/T. Depending on the results I will book future pizza runs!

If you bought a refundable ticket, why not change it to spend another couple of hours here in our fine city? The museums along the lakefront are nothing short of fantastic.

I think most Giordano's open at 11am. The stuffed pizzas take about 40 minutes to cook, so clever diners call in their order before arriving. (Note: Pizzeria Uno and Gino's East serve deep-dish pizza, with toppings on top; Giordano's is stuffed pizza, which has a second crust on top, like a real pie, with toppings inside and sauce on top of the second crust. Both are often referred to as "Chicago-style" by out-of-towners, who often don't understand the difference.)

Your CTA analysis is correct -- put in $2 at one of the transit card vending machines at the Midway station. The turnstile will then encode the transit card with the time of your travel and deduct $1.75; if you use it again at a different station within 120 minutes, the second transfer will be 25 cents. (And a third would be free.)

Thanks Dan. I'm not sure how it works -- my ticket is refundable at $49 each way, but it's still not the most 'expensive' seat ticket on the route -- $79 each way. The later flights are only available at the higher rate.

This flight is more of my 'exploratory' mission. I'll check out Southwest, check out CTA, check out my timings, and if the ten credits I hope for do post, then I'll get cracking figure out how to do it nine more times.

Thanks for the info re: Giordano's. I'll try em next time! I must admit I did not realize the difference between the two type of pizzas, I like the Uno's type of deep dish, so I look forward to trying to trying the real Chicago style deep dish!

Looks like anyone flying in and out of Pittsburgh can sign up now..

https://www.southwest.com/rrenroll/welcome/

Please note that this offer is slightly different and offers a free award after 3 RT and is for new RR members. Of course now that I signed my wife up for an RR account AFTER I received my offer but before this one, she gets neither.. grr!

Yeah, I got a fly three, get one free offer in the mail Friday. I have a RR number that I haven't used in years. I didn't study it carefully, but this offer seems like it wanted a new signup. If I've had no activity in years, isn't that about equal to a new signup anyway?

I originally posted this on MilesBuzz, thinking most here are already members and therefore it would not apply - but of course there are spouses and friends. And it didn't draw any interest there. Still trying to figure out what to post where.

Mr. Ricetravel, who is NOT currently a Southwest Rapid Rewards member, received this offer – says it is “only available for the recipient of this mailing” – but there is no code on the offer, and nothing prevented me from signing myself up for an account, too.

Enroll in RapidRewards at www.southwest.com/rrenroll/welcome then fly 3 RT into or out of PIT between May 4 and Aug 4, 2005, receive one Award ticket. Limit one promotional Award per member.

Also I received four RR credits immediately for creating my account, don't know if that is typical or special with this offer. Those 4 credits started the clock for the regular 16-credits offer - for infrequent WN flyers it may make sense to hold off on signing up until you're ready to purchase tickets, to make the 12-month window as long as possible (at least that's the way I understand the rules).

Looks like anyone flying in and out of Pittsburgh can sign up now..

https://www.southwest.com/rrenroll/welcome/

Please note that this offer is slightly different and offers a free award after 3 RT and is for new RR members. Of course now that I signed my wife up for an RR account AFTER I received my offer but before this one, she gets neither.. grr!

Is the Free Award in addtion to the Credits earned for each round trip? Is it triple credits for each round trips still?
I am already a RR member with activity, so guess no way I can jump on this without a second accout (using my middle name as first and different address). Comments??

The triple credits is something I received directly. The other offer linked here and mentioned by RiceTravel does not mention triple credits, instead it's fly 3 get 1 free. I believe they are two different offers, one to get people who are already members of Southwest Rapid Rewards but live in Pittsburgh (ie me, I enrolled right after they announced service) and two to get people who aren't enrolled to enroll.

It seems that people who enroll through the fly 3 get 1 free get 4 credits to start and are then probably getting double credit afterwards (ie 3 R/Ts = 6 flights x 2 = 12 credits + 4 initial = 16 credits) and not an additional free award. But maybe they are. I don't know, I didn't get that offer.

Hey, how about that. The original mailing I got came to my house. But in my PO box today (the address of my RR account) there was a flyer identical on the outside, but the inside text is different:

"For your loyalty and support as a RR Member..." blah blah blah, so they know I'm a member in this one.

Anyway, says they put 4 credits into my account, plus I get triple credits for any flights to/from PIT until August 4.

This should be a better deal, because triple credit would be 6 per roundtrip, which when you add in the 4 free credits would make for a free flight after just 2 roundtrips.

Very cool. Definitely two different offers for the area, depending upon whether or not you already have RR account.

Here's a question: friend moved here from BOS area a while back, probably hasn't changed her RR mailing address. Any chance she can get in on the triple credit offer?

This should be a better deal, because triple credit would be 6 per roundtrip, which when you add in the 4 free credits would make for a free flight after just 2 roundtrips.

Very cool. Definitely two different offers for the area, depending upon whether or not you already have RR account.

Definitely read through this WHOLE thread if you haven't, you'll be pleasantly surprised. $770 can get you a CP and 12 free tickets on SWA (6 for you and 6 if your companion flies with you). And a few extra dollars can get you an authentic Chicago style quite often in the near future. ;)

Mileage/Credit Run Time!!!!


Here's a question: friend moved here from BOS area a while back, probably hasn't changed her RR mailing address. Any chance she can get in on the triple credit offer?

Nope, no way to get in on SWA targeted promos if you aren't targeted. But I would advise her to change her mailing address ASAP!!!

I also received the targeted PIT triple credit offer in the mail. I called Southwest regarding this promotion to ask if I would receive both triple credits for PIT and double credits for MDW if I flew from PIT to MDW. I was told that one promotion would override the other. I would not receive both triple credits for PIT and double credits for MDW.

The CSRs don't know for sure how it's programmed. The only way to know for sure is to fly it.

Definitely read through this WHOLE thread if you haven't, you'll be pleasantly surprised. $770 can get you a CP and 12 free tickets on SWA (6 for you and 6 if your companion flies with you). And a few extra dollars can get you an authentic Chicago style quite often in the near future. ;)

Mileage/Credit Run Time!!!!

Wild. You're right, I hadn't read quite that closely. This is only tangential to the thread, but you're saying that the CP works for RR tickets, so I can take a companion for free even if my own ticket is free? Have to really think about this. Could be quite lucrative obviously....

I've never done a mileage run before. Hmm....




Nope, no way to get in on SWA targeted promos if you aren't targeted. But I would advise her to change her mailing address ASAP!!!

Okay. Thanks for the info.

Wild. You're right, I hadn't read quite that closely. This is only tangential to the thread, but you're saying that the CP works for RR tickets, so I can take a companion for free even if my own ticket is free? .

Yes, that's what is so great about the CP. You can use it regardless if you are on $600 RT, a $60 RT, a free RR ticket. You can even have your companion fly free with you if you are using bump funds to purchase your ticket.

You fly ------> Your companion flies!

It doesn't even matter if there are only 2 seats left on the whole plane. Your companion will get on with you. The CP is a great perk, much better than First Class upgrades IMHO.

I'm flying PIT-MDW and back on Friday. I am hoping for 5 credits each way. I'll report back :)

Southwest kicks off Pittsburgh service (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05124/498677.stm)

and another (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/s_330681.html)

and another (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2005-05-04-swa-pitt_x.htm)

and video (http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4447252/detail.html)

Good luck pitflyer! If you really do get 5 credits each way, I might do a few of those myself.

(That counts the SWABiz extra, right? I've gotten lost through the thread trying to figure that out.)

Yes, the 10 credits per RT is assuming that all the stars like up properly:
2 RR per RT normal
2 RR extra for SWABIZ
2 RR extra for flying to/form MDW
4 RR extra for targeted TRIPLE promo

The big question mark is if SWABIZ will work in conjunction with the targeted TRIPLE promo, but in past triple promos it has seemed to work in conjunction for some FTers.

Lately I have received so many "junk" mailings from SWA (almost the same frequency as the "Geico" and "Capital One" mailings!!) on their starting the PIT service that I have been tossing them out in the trash without even reading them. My question: Is there any way to find out for sure whether or not I was targeted for this promo? I did setup a SWA RR account around late Jan a couple of weeks after they announced service.

Thanks.

I would bet that the targetted triple credits promo was for RR members who's address is in the Pittsburgh metro area.

I am hoping the stars align per my credits calculation!

Southwest first day of service (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05125/499235.stm)
and another (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/s_331089.html)

That finally prompted me to update my FlyerTalk profile to reflect my current Pittsburgh location :-)

So does someone know of way to check if you were Targeted or not. BTW, I did open up a new SW-RR account with the Pit address back in Jan and that is the account I want to know was targetted or not.


I would bet that the targetted triple credits promo was for RR members who's address is in the Pittsburgh metro area.

I am hoping the stars align per my credits calculation!

Southwest first day of service (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05125/499235.stm)
and another (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/s_331089.html)

sorry about the stupid questions, I've never flown SWA... however, I do fly PIT-ORD every week, and could possibly start flying PIT-MDW on SWA... can you tell me the best way to do this to maximize points... best places to book, etc.? I've signed up for RR through the link that gave me 4 free credits already. Any way I can get this triple-credit promo? I don't have a swabiz account, what is the best way to deal with that? PM if it isn't kosher..

thanks in advance.

Triple credit was a targetted promo it seems for some members who were Rapid Rewards members PRIOR to Southwest starting Pittsburgh service. If you are not a current RR member, review a thread by RiceTravel which indicates you can get two free award tickets after three PIT-MDW R/Ts.

what about booking through swabiz... any way around it? My company doesn't have this... should we start it? is it easy to do?

Check the FAQ. It has the answers to the extent we know them. (There is some hit and miss with this.)

It looks like the PIT targeted triple credits promotion and the MDW double credits promotion did stack afterall. I recently flew PIT-MDW-PIT and received 4 credits for each segment. (I did not book through SWABiz.)

I flew this same route last weekend without booking through SWABiz. From the post above, I'll expect to get 4 credits, same as when I booked through Swabiz. So it seems to me that SWABiz did not stack on top of the Midway bonus and Triple bonus.

To further experiment I booked a trip THROUGH Swabiz to PHL, where there is no specific bonus. So I will see if SWABiz stacks with the Triple bonus.. oh well, promotion's almost over anyway. Back to earning miles the old fashioned way on 'old fashioned' airlines..

EDIT: Confirmed I still received 4 credits for booking PIT-MDW through this promotion. I'm hoping I'll get 4 credits for booking PIT-PHL through this promotion and SWABiz (3 from promotion, 1 from SWABiz) but I'm thinking the problem is SWABiz doesnt stack with this promo. Oh well.

Triple credit was a targetted promo it seems for some members who were Rapid Rewards members PRIOR to Southwest starting Pittsburgh service.
Just FYI I recvd 3 credits per seg for MDW. Tickets were DING, I joined after PIT service started, so presumably was not targeted for the triple promo. It looks like I got the triple anyway, but it didn't stack with the MDW double (as Linda B experienced).