tusphotog

I don't have a problem with partner credits for CP qualification. They're usually 600 points and multipliers/promos don't count. I'd say it's harder to earn the CP now than in RR 1.0 (50k cc bonuses not withstanding).

These cc signup bonuses that really worry me, especially when people do what you're saying: get a card using a fake business name and a personal card, then try to churn them...

InkUnderNails

I would agree except they remove from inventory the seats that would most likely be for BS or A-list passengers that have a higher than typical rate of last minute purchases.

What has not been mentioned is the reasonable (to me) alternative that requires a certain number of flights in addition to a certain number of points. Right off the top of my head I would go with the minimum A-list qualification, 25 segments or TQP, plus 70K CPQP. Yes, only A-list would qualify for CP.

Am I the only one that finds it odd that WN has a "buy one get one free every time" program that does not require that the recipient ever get on an airplane and even the purchased flight can be bought with points that were not earned from flying?

toomanybooks

I've had it both ways.

For someone who doesn't fly that much, I'd say it's marginally easier now. 110K vs. 120K (in a sense) is easier to achieve with the "big dump" technique. 110K or a big chunk of it should be pretty easy to pile up, with Choice, Wyndham, Diners, etc. Some of these you can even buy to top off.

And perhaps there are more/better bonuses now? Hard to remember for sure.

For frequent flyers, the old system was 1/50 of a CP per RT with some bonuses. If your flights were cheap, it was easier then for sure. $100 RT x 50 = $5000 spend for the CP. Now with WGA, that gets only about 1/4 of a CP.

As for value then vs. now, the big tipping factor is that under the old system the CP expired in "a year" (actually a little more than that) and now it's up to 2 years, so it's worth much more these days.

And airfares seem to be higher, so the free flights are worth more.

odom4president

I also find it strange how when you are booking a Business class flight with reward points, the cost of the flight in points is nearly 50% less when the flight is booked well in advance versus the same day. If the benefit of booking a flight with points is to provide extra value (cheaper) compared to using dollars, this benefit is completely lost if you don't book well in advance.

no2chem

I agree; except there is currently a workaround for shorthaul flights anyway, just convert 19,200 pts (~$307 WGA$) to a standard award, and use the standard award.

The increased cost of anytime resumptions artificially limits available award seats... but I guess southwest still lives to its promise, so its better than saying you can only use pts on WGA fares...