Southwest Rapid Rewards - Status and Use of RR

Hi everyone.

Here are my questions.

1. Why is there no status with Southwest?
2. What's the difference between a freedom award and a rapid reward. Is this similar to the Standard vs. (the other one ?) reward on United?
3. Why is A list so worthless - why not just give A list members preboard rights?

Hi everyone.

Here are my questions.

1. Why is there no status with Southwest?
2. What's the difference between a freedom award and a rapid reward. Is this similar to the Standard vs. (the other one ?) reward on United?
3. Why is A list so worthless - why not just give A list members preboard rights?

1. Because of the philosophy that "Everyone is our best customer." In actuality CP can sorta be considered status, and is probably the most valuable perk to those that can use it.

2. Yes. Standards has limited seats, "the other one" is avail. at any time.

1. Why is there no status with Southwest?

There is as of 11 days ago. See your third question.

2. What's the difference between a freedom award and a rapid reward. Is this similar to the Standard vs. (the other one ?) reward on United?

The former is good for any available seat on any flight save for a handful of blackout dates. The latter has no blackout dates, but there are capacity controls. It is roughly similar to UA's standard and saver awards.

3. Why is A list so worthless - why not just give A list members preboard rights?

Dumping A-Listers in the preboard group would defeat the purpose of Business Select. As for A-List being worthless, there are many here who would disagree with you.

3. Why is A list so worthless - why not just give A list members preboard rights?

A-list means I don't have to remember to check in online. I still have an A. I was always happy boarding at the end of the A's so this is a nice perk that doesn't take anything away from anyone else. I still take a seat in the back half of the plane.

1. Because of the philosophy that "Everyone is our best customer." In actuality CP can sorta be considered status, and is probably the most valuable perk to those that can use it.

2. Yes. Standards has limited seats, "the other one" is avail. at any time.

Can you explain CP?

Also, can i use hotel points towards attaining CP?

Any 100 credits, however obtained, in a rolling year will get you a Companion Pass good for a free ride for a personal you designate when you travel with them. It seems to be the Holy Grail of the WN FF program.

The one year I earned one, the hard way - mostly flying - I never used it, not even once. Too exhausted from traveling to want and do more on the weekends or rare vacation time off, especially dragging the wife and smaller kids along.

If you can obtain one via other means (hotel and credit card transfers) and have different life circumstances, I could see why this would be a valuable perk. Just adding that one size doesn't necessarily fit all.