Rapid Rewards 2.0 begins March 1, 2011
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
Can someone from WN please confirm, with certainty, that the 100-credit requal for CP by 2/28 will result in CP through 12/31/2012? The language is very unclear ("at launch", etc.) and there are many CP holders who will have the 100 credits by 2/28, thus requalifying, yet the existing CP will still show a 2011 expiration date. This is very important to know in order to determine strategy in the next few weeks.
I am either going to be severely disappointed if my 71 credits so far toward renewal don't count going forward for another year, or I'm going to take drastic action over the next few weeks to get to 100.
Either way I would love to know, for sure, in writing..
Last edited by toomanybooks; Jan 6, 2011 at 11:07 am
#153
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: STL
Programs: WN A-List, AA Silver, SkyMiles Gold, Marriott Platinum, Emerald Executive, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 30
A-List and other ramblings
So a current A-List member qualifying for A-List Preferred starts at zero and needs 50K points? Or do we start at 35K as an existing A-Lister, and need just 15K more points for the A-List Preferred??
Also, has anyone figured out how the transition of the current WN CC relates to the two new CC's??
This is all making my head spin............
I will say that flying STL-LGA RT and getting 8300 points isn't too shabby. However, only needing 13 more credts for CP and having that wiped out is EXTREMELY frustrating, and frankly a pretty big slap in the face.
Also, has anyone figured out how the transition of the current WN CC relates to the two new CC's??
This is all making my head spin............
I will say that flying STL-LGA RT and getting 8300 points isn't too shabby. However, only needing 13 more credts for CP and having that wiped out is EXTREMELY frustrating, and frankly a pretty big slap in the face.
#154
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: A+ Elite, Hilton Gold, OA and hotels, member
Posts: 256
This is mostly accurate, unless they put Elites in the A-List Preferred. Earning 20% on WGA and 40% on business select and losing capacity restrictions is nice. Is it enough to offset losing last minute 8 credit flights across the country? Hard to say. I'm A+ on FL but do all of my flying on short hauls, so the 1 credit per flight is great for me, and even at 20% I wouldn't be thrilled about it, compared to FL's program, but if you match it against DL or UA even with Medallion or 1k bonuses, I think it still comes out as pretty generous if you don't care about using miles for upgrades.
#155
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
Is this official SWA dogma? I have 76 credits towards a new CP (current CP expires 8-2010 under Rewards 1.0 rules), and would definitely make a run toward getting 100 credits before March 1 if that would indeed result in issue of a new CP and extension to 12-31-2012.
Is this scenario covered anywhere in the SWA FAQ or elsewhere so that I would know with some assurance that it was worth making the run to squeeze in another 24 credits before March 1?
Is this scenario covered anywhere in the SWA FAQ or elsewhere so that I would know with some assurance that it was worth making the run to squeeze in another 24 credits before March 1?
My companion pass expires 10/31/11, with my 100 credit earn by date of Sept. 3, 2011. There's nothing that says if we hit 100 credits by 3/1/11, we're in good shape. That concerns me.
SWABrian any comment?
#156
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SJC and ONT
Programs: WN A-List/CP, HHonors Diamond, CX J with AA miles, US Gold/*G
Posts: 2,082
No more solo trips on WN till 2012
Since my CP re-qual looks like this:
Current Balance Towards Companion Pass: 109.00
Credit Needed for Companion Pass: 0.00
Credit Needed by: 01/10/2011
Existing Companion Pass Cardholder: Yes, and she's hott!
...and my A-List looks like this:
Flights1 flown 04/29/2010 - 01/06/2011: 36
Flights needed to retain A-List Membership: 0
32nd Flight must be flown by: 04/29/2011
It would appear that 2011 may be the year that I focus virtually all my earning towards *A miles.
Redeeming for international travel on WN may still not be as favorable, i.e., how many WN points are required for a trans-Pacific business class ticket vs. ~100,000 miles on *A.
Might be a different story if WN reconsiders and computes A-List Preferred based on segments flown between 3/1/2010 and 3/1/2011.
Current Balance Towards Companion Pass: 109.00
Credit Needed for Companion Pass: 0.00
Credit Needed by: 01/10/2011
Existing Companion Pass Cardholder: Yes, and she's hott!
...and my A-List looks like this:
Flights1 flown 04/29/2010 - 01/06/2011: 36
Flights needed to retain A-List Membership: 0
32nd Flight must be flown by: 04/29/2011
It would appear that 2011 may be the year that I focus virtually all my earning towards *A miles.
Redeeming for international travel on WN may still not be as favorable, i.e., how many WN points are required for a trans-Pacific business class ticket vs. ~100,000 miles on *A.
Might be a different story if WN reconsiders and computes A-List Preferred based on segments flown between 3/1/2010 and 3/1/2011.
#157
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 396
And 25,000 points redeemed at a WGA fare will get you $417 in free travel, versus 25,000 miles will maybe about hours of searching for a low mileage award on someone else to travel on a day you don't want to travel, plus redeposit fees if you decide to change your flight.
Sounds like RR2.0 is just as good and often better than mileage to me.
#158
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: A+ Elite, Hilton Gold, OA and hotels, member
Posts: 256
As an Airtran Elite who typically flies BOS - BWI I'll be in the same boat. I mean, they keep talking about pushing this market but you look at the rewards program and geez. I mean 80 some flights for elite (just a quick guess)? That's crazy. Back to looking for another carrier. Sadly jetblue doesn't seem much better.
#159
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SJC and ONT
Programs: WN A-List/CP, HHonors Diamond, CX J with AA miles, US Gold/*G
Posts: 2,082
However, as a mid-level elite, that will yield ~1700 miles each way (~1100 elite qualifying miles with a 500 mile segment minimum).
#160
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
I know if I were in this situation I would continue to fly my regular pattern and pick up the equivalent of those 13 credits. Then I would write a polite letter to Southwest asking them to manually issue me a CP since I fulfilled the terms of the 100-credit threshold that was in effect when the qualification period started a year earlier. I'd give that letter at least a 50% chance of succeeding.
#162
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,005
I consider myself a rather seasoned FF program player. That said....upon first glance, whew, this new system appears about as straightforward as Lombard Street.
#163
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: HHONORS DIAMOND;DELTA GOLD;WN CP and A List
Posts: 13
Question regarding companion pass
I have a companion pass expiring March 1, 2011. However, I have allready earned 165 credits toward requalification. Under the new rules does my companion pass expire December 31, 2012 or 2011?
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
That being said, if I'm flying 3+ hours unless the price differential is outrageousI'm generally going to fly with my legacy carrier because I have a continuous need for EQMs and I'm more likely to get a better seat (exit row, E+ or possibly an upgrade to F) not to mention often a more convenient schedule.
So I predict that WN will not see the anticipated bonanze of business travelers, but instead will see a defection of solid business travelers travelers to VS and others that often offer lower advance purchase fares and other perks.
Last edited by Boraxo; Jan 6, 2011 at 12:13 pm
#165
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Plainfield, IL- 60585
Programs: Hilton Gold; AA Platinum;Marriott Gold; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 353
On the one hand, since my kid's fly infrequently, under RR 2.0 these credits which now become points will no longer expire.
However, as many others have indicated since most of the occaisions that I do fly SWA on a paid ticket it tends to be WGA fares which will not net me much less in points in RR 2.0 than I received previously under RR 1.0.
One thing that I am very unclear on is what the period from now until March 1, 2011 means if I have a portion of an award such as say 12 credits. It seemed initially to me when I read the SWA announcement that I would have until March 1, 2011 to earn 4 more credits through flying, partners, etc. to get up to a Standard award. In other posts I am reading on this site I am unusure of this option. Anybody have more clarification from SWA on this limbo type of scenario, not yet an award, but very close?
Thanks
However, as many others have indicated since most of the occaisions that I do fly SWA on a paid ticket it tends to be WGA fares which will not net me much less in points in RR 2.0 than I received previously under RR 1.0.
One thing that I am very unclear on is what the period from now until March 1, 2011 means if I have a portion of an award such as say 12 credits. It seemed initially to me when I read the SWA announcement that I would have until March 1, 2011 to earn 4 more credits through flying, partners, etc. to get up to a Standard award. In other posts I am reading on this site I am unusure of this option. Anybody have more clarification from SWA on this limbo type of scenario, not yet an award, but very close?
Thanks