Points one way cash the way back?
Feb 9, 2016, 4:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Terp Country
Programs: All the regulars for an American. Retired now so peon on all of them
Posts: 654
Points one way cash the way back?
My daughter needs to go somewhere and I have enough points for the outbound flight but not even close on the return. I know it's against policy to combine cash and points, but can I just book two one way fares, one with cash and the other with points>
Last edited by deckman; Feb 9, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Feb 9, 2016, 5:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
Absolutely. A very common occurrence.
Feb 9, 2016, 5:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: HHSilver;SWACompanion;AA;CO
Posts: 252
I book ALL of my roundtrip flights that way. I pay $ for one way, points for the other. I decide which "currency" benefits me most at the moment.
It's also easier to change flights when you have 2 different record locators, etc.
It's also easier to change flights when you have 2 different record locators, etc.
Feb 9, 2016, 6:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Feb 9, 2016, 9:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Um... It *is* against policy to combine cash and points. Actually, its impossible.
However, since the general "best practice" for Southwest is to book one-way trips, this shouldn't be an issue for the OP if he does as advised here.
However, since the general "best practice" for Southwest is to book one-way trips, this shouldn't be an issue for the OP if he does as advised here.
Last edited by ursine1; Feb 9, 2016 at 9:12 pm
Feb 10, 2016, 7:24 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
Southwest allows you to buy extra points if you do not have enough, so while you cannot directly book with both cash and points on the same ticket, it is possible to combine cash with points to get an award ticket (by buying points). I think that if Southwest's IT were better, they would likely have a direct cash+points award option, like DL, especially since RR points have a (fairly) consistent dollar value.
Edited to add: OP should definitely book two one-ways.
Feb 10, 2016, 8:13 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
In this case, you are correct, it is a simply impossible, at least online, begging the question whether they can give build and give you one PNR on the phone. But why bother!
Feb 10, 2016, 10:08 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Feb 10, 2016, 10:21 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Feb 12, 2016, 1:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,964
... and as a general rule, this should always be the case on WN unless a Promo or fare basis prevents/prohibits it- the example I like to cite is in case you completely miss your outbound segment of a R/T ticket; WN will cancel your return in that case, so even if you manage to get to your destination on a later flight you may have issues getting home (esp. if the return was a really cheap WGA).
Feb 20, 2016, 9:49 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Posts: 1,630
It seems to me that it has been a very long time since I have seen a promo that required a round trip purchase. Obviously if one exists, then go for it, but otherwise, one-ways are the way to go, whether paying all cash, all points or cash in one direction and points in the other.
Feb 20, 2016, 10:08 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,185
It seems to me that it has been a very long time since I have seen a promo that required a round trip purchase. Obviously if one exists, then go for it, but otherwise, one-ways are the way to go, whether paying all cash, all points or cash in one direction and points in the other.
Feb 20, 2016, 10:33 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: LAS-DEN
Programs: WN CP & B-list. Disillusioned fmr UA-1P/2P,F9-Ascent; Fmr AA-Plat,CO-Gold,NW-Silver,TWA-Elite
Posts: 1,630
Does it all tie together as part of a trip? That is, do I have to book my flight r/t to get some coverage on my hotel room?
Feb 20, 2016, 11:11 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,919
It seems to me that it has been a very long time since I have seen a promo that required a round trip purchase. Obviously if one exists, then go for it, but otherwise, one-ways are the way to go, whether paying all cash, all points or cash in one direction and points in the other.
