Pay with Points Southwest Airlines
Jun 5, 2017, 2:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 76
Pay with Points Southwest Airlines
I apologize in advance if this post doesn't warrant a new thread.
So I made a minor mistake today in trusting just one source on the internet while booking a Southwest flight with the intentions of using Membership Rewards so I could utilize the 50% rebate. I read to book Southwest using points I would need to book via Southwest website and call into Membership Rewards after the charge posted. Followed the steps and was surprised when I was told by the CSR that transfer ratio was not 1:1 with Southwest. Then was told that if I had booked by calling Amextravel I would be getting a 1.43:1 or if I book through Southwest I would get 1.66:1. On top of that, I was told if I were to pay cash, I would get 5x via Amextravel by calling and booking with my Busines Platinum.
So I made a minor mistake today in trusting just one source on the internet while booking a Southwest flight with the intentions of using Membership Rewards so I could utilize the 50% rebate. I read to book Southwest using points I would need to book via Southwest website and call into Membership Rewards after the charge posted. Followed the steps and was surprised when I was told by the CSR that transfer ratio was not 1:1 with Southwest. Then was told that if I had booked by calling Amextravel I would be getting a 1.43:1 or if I book through Southwest I would get 1.66:1. On top of that, I was told if I were to pay cash, I would get 5x via Amextravel by calling and booking with my Busines Platinum.
Last edited by farmerandy; Jun 5, 2017 at 2:14 pm Reason: add on
Jun 5, 2017, 2:09 pm
#2
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Jun 5, 2017, 2:34 pm
#4
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The terms provide these instructions for airlines that cannot be booked online at amextravel.com:
If you select Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or AirTran Airways, to receive your 35% Airline Bonus you must call Business Platinum Travel Service at 1-800-553-9497.
if I had booked by calling Amextravel I would be getting a 1.43:1 or if I book through Southwest I would get 1.66:1
If the agent you spoke to is telling you that you need to redeem more than 100 points to offset one dollar because you booked elsewhere I would call again and ask where the higher redemption rate is published.
Jun 5, 2017, 3:01 pm
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 76
The rebate is now 35% (Depending on when your account was opened, your account may still be at 50%, but the published terms now reference the lower rate.)
The terms provide these instructions for airlines that cannot be booked online at amextravel.com:
Sorry, I do not understand these numbers. Pay with Points is a two step process. In the first step you pay for the ticket with money, and offset the charge at the rate 100 points per dollar. In the second step, a month later, 50% or 35% of the points are redeposited.
If the agent you spoke to is telling you that you need to redeem more than 100 points to offset one dollar because you booked elsewhere I would call again and ask where the higher redemption rate is published.
The terms provide these instructions for airlines that cannot be booked online at amextravel.com:
Sorry, I do not understand these numbers. Pay with Points is a two step process. In the first step you pay for the ticket with money, and offset the charge at the rate 100 points per dollar. In the second step, a month later, 50% or 35% of the points are redeposited.
If the agent you spoke to is telling you that you need to redeem more than 100 points to offset one dollar because you booked elsewhere I would call again and ask where the higher redemption rate is published.
Jun 5, 2017, 3:15 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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That's the part that doesn't make sense. The amount they refund has been reduced, but nothing was announced about the original rate of 100 to offset $1.00.
I also found this, but it doesn't mention a rate:
https://faq.amextravel.com/app/answe...2/kw/southwest
I also found this, but it doesn't mention a rate:
Are all airlines available on the American Express Travel Online site?
American Express Travel Online offers the majority of domestic and international airlines. There are some airlines, however, that are not offered on the site. While we cannot book these airlines for you, we have solutions for how you can redeem points for these airlines if you choose.
To redeem your Membership Reward points for Southwest Airline tickets, simply book your ticket directly with Southwest Airlines and then redeem your points after the charge posts via Your Charges online at: membershiprewards.com/yourcharges or through the American Express App on your mobile device (iPhone and Android platforms only). You have the ability to schedule a point redemption for eligible pending charges through the American Express Mobile App. You must have enough Membership RewardsŪ points to cover the entire cost of the charge with Your Charges.
If you are looking for any other airline and it is not shown in your search results on the website, please call American Express Travel Online at 1-800-297-2977 .
American Express Travel Online offers the majority of domestic and international airlines. There are some airlines, however, that are not offered on the site. While we cannot book these airlines for you, we have solutions for how you can redeem points for these airlines if you choose.
To redeem your Membership Reward points for Southwest Airline tickets, simply book your ticket directly with Southwest Airlines and then redeem your points after the charge posts via Your Charges online at: membershiprewards.com/yourcharges or through the American Express App on your mobile device (iPhone and Android platforms only). You have the ability to schedule a point redemption for eligible pending charges through the American Express Mobile App. You must have enough Membership RewardsŪ points to cover the entire cost of the charge with Your Charges.
If you are looking for any other airline and it is not shown in your search results on the website, please call American Express Travel Online at 1-800-297-2977 .
Jun 5, 2017, 3:31 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 76
That's the part that doesn't make sense. The amount they refund has been reduced, but nothing was announced about the original rate of 100 to offset $1.00.
I also found this, but it doesn't mention a rate:
https://faq.amextravel.com/app/answe...2/kw/southwest
I also found this, but it doesn't mention a rate:
https://faq.amextravel.com/app/answe...2/kw/southwest
Jun 5, 2017, 4:35 pm
#8
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
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Tweeted @askamex and they responded that Southwest Airlines is no longer a partner.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-1-2010-a.html
...but that's not what you are asking about.