Companion Pass Article on front page of Flyer Talk
Dec 19, 2018, 2:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Nevada Ohio Florida
Programs: WN A+, CP, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 44
Companion Pass Article on front page of Flyer Talk
Wow, the article on the front page states twice that you need to spend $80,000 on flights to earn Companion Pass. It later talks about the Credit Card benefits to reach Companion Pass.
But $80,000? That is just wrong. It's more along the lines of $18,000, since you get 6 points per dollar on WGA fares. What lazy and incorrect reporting!
But $80,000? That is just wrong. It's more along the lines of $18,000, since you get 6 points per dollar on WGA fares. What lazy and incorrect reporting!
Dec 19, 2018, 2:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lovely Tahoe City
Programs: UA 1mm Gold. Former 1K and GS.
Posts: 951
I agree. I commute between Reno and Oakland and could get companion pass for under $12K, on BS fares as I always book last minute. Fortunately I don't have to do it every week so I'm not earning CP anyway. But I know I'd never have to spend 80K to make it.
Dec 19, 2018, 3:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,919
I'm gonna bet the author is just looking at the 2x points for Southwest flights and Hotel/Car partners, and 1x points for all other spend, and failed to factor in the fare bucket multiplier. Split the $80k in half between these two categories and you get to 120,000
Dec 19, 2018, 8:05 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Sadly... too many reporters these days are more interested just posting stuff and/or click bait... and little interest in accurate reporting.
Dec 20, 2018, 6:46 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Sadly, I think "reporter" is a stretch these days. Most places pay writers very little (if anything), so most online content is repurposed from other sources. Or hastily composed and barely researched if original. Clickbait and listicles. Actual reporting is rare, and pretty much limited to the larger, established publications. Journalism isn't quite dead just yet, but it's definitely not feeling well.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:32 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
I think travel writing quality suffers especially these days. Every person with a credit card and some miles considers themselves an expert and publishes a "travel blog." Misinformation about Companion Pass is more common than actually accurate info.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:34 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Heck - I would love to have a dime. And we would both be rich.
The larger "mainstream" press is just as bad. No wonder the average American is often clueless about travel. LOL!