Originally Posted by itsme
Why do you (and others) count "a free RT anywhere in the lower 48" (as) pretty worthless"? True, a "free" ticket will not earn miles and advance one toward status, but are there other negatives with the "free" ticket, for example that like a saver award there must be a seat available from a limited inventory? I do see some offers as worthless, like that of a free companion ticket if one first purchases the most expensive bucket in a given COS, but a free domestic coach ticket doesn't strike me as such. So, yes, $$$ vouchers or other upgrades might be more desirable, but are these "free" tickets always to be scorned as compensation?
The biggest issue is the fare class that these book into. This makes them very restrictive. For people with very flexible travel plans, they are not bad, but the $$$ vouchers are simply much more flexible (and can be used for int'l travel IIRC).