This case (the freebie one -- sorry to the OP) would make sense if both Freedom Awards and regular awards were blacked out at the same time.

But what doesn't help the cause, in my opinion, is to announce Freedom Awards (except sometimes). As I've ranted before, why not roll them out pure, and then enhance them after a year or so? But I can read the economics of it, and besides, it's another issue that I'm adding OT.

Back to the point: To combine the two conditions (e.g., that Freedom Awards are Freedom Awards, except sometimes, and during those sometimes, they are blacked out when regular awards aren't) is something that Southwest might want to revisit. Yes, I should keep my trap shut here...

Tie-in to the OP? That both situations are similarly contrary to what Southwest is trying to do in the new paradigm.