New Southwest drink coupon QR codes (end of discretionary free drinks?)
Jun 6, 2019, 12:05 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
Incidentally I just received a new packet of coupons from WN and they did not have any codes. Just name and RR.
Jun 6, 2019, 12:46 pm
#18
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
What got me thinking was there was a slip of paper in the mailing that said "If you ever need discounted Southwest drink coupons, email me at .. @aol.com"
Meanwhile, I was just looking at listings. Found one selling 4 coupons for $28. Such a bargain! I would love to meet the idiot that buys these.
Jun 6, 2019, 1:26 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Most eBay drink coupon offers show the set of 4 all attached, as they come from Southwest or Chase. I can't say that I ever seen an auction that showed 6 separate coupons. Even in the heyday after eBay was flooded with all the BS class action coupons they were still shown as sheets or connected sets. I'd certainly be suspicious of anyone offering individual coupons. Given what you describe, I'd suspect the person selling them works for (or is connected to someone who works for) aircraft cleaning crew, or otherwise somehow has access to drink coupons that have been thrown away. It seems unlikely an FA would take such a risk.
Jun 6, 2019, 2:17 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Jun 6, 2019, 2:21 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
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Posts: 11,072
Most eBay drink coupon offers show the set of 4 all attached, as they come from Southwest or Chase. I can't say that I ever seen an auction that showed 6 separate coupons. Even in the heyday after eBay was flooded with all the BS class action coupons they were still shown as sheets or connected sets. I'd certainly be suspicious of anyone offering individual coupons. Given what you describe, I'd suspect the person selling them works for (or is connected to someone who works for) aircraft cleaning crew, or otherwise somehow has access to drink coupons that have been thrown away. It seems unlikely an FA would take such a risk.
Hmmm...
At first I did not consider a cleaning crew. Then I realized that trash is removed by the cleaning crew and not tossed by SW Employees. So, that could easily happen.
As to putting their job at risk. Yea, that would be stupid. But people do stupid things all the time. This one would not be that hard. After all, they often just stick those coupons in their pocket, and... If someone else was selling them for them, then a nice little sideline business with reduced risk of getting caught.
Jun 6, 2019, 7:06 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,941
Yes, there was a photo. Many times the seller does cover the name on them. I have come to accept that and have used many of them.
What got me thinking was there was a slip of paper in the mailing that said "If you ever need discounted Southwest drink coupons, email me at .. @aol.com"
Meanwhile, I was just looking at listings. Found one selling 4 coupons for $28. Such a bargain! I would love to meet the idiot that buys these.
What got me thinking was there was a slip of paper in the mailing that said "If you ever need discounted Southwest drink coupons, email me at .. @aol.com"
Meanwhile, I was just looking at listings. Found one selling 4 coupons for $28. Such a bargain! I would love to meet the idiot that buys these.
Jun 6, 2019, 7:15 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,458
Hmmm...
At first I did not consider a cleaning crew. Then I realized that trash is removed by the cleaning crew and not tossed by SW Employees. So, that could easily happen.
As to putting their job at risk. Yea, that would be stupid. But people do stupid things all the time. This one would not be that hard. After all, they often just stick those coupons in their pocket, and... If someone else was selling them for them, then a nice little sideline business with reduced risk of getting caught.
At first I did not consider a cleaning crew. Then I realized that trash is removed by the cleaning crew and not tossed by SW Employees. So, that could easily happen.
As to putting their job at risk. Yea, that would be stupid. But people do stupid things all the time. This one would not be that hard. After all, they often just stick those coupons in their pocket, and... If someone else was selling them for them, then a nice little sideline business with reduced risk of getting caught.
How much are you buying these for? It’s hard to imagine this is a very profitable sideline business. Maybe they sell for more than I would think.
Jun 6, 2019, 7:35 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
I've seen them as cheap as $2 each, generally they're available for $3-$4. For the buyer they're cheaper than the $6-$7 drink cost and easier to use than a credit card. For the seller, it's all profit, minus the cost of an envelope and a first-class stamp.
Jun 6, 2019, 9:23 pm
#25
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
I pick them up in the $4 each or so range.
The last ones were just under $3 each - which seemed rather low, so I grabbed them quick.
Jun 10, 2019, 5:56 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
Jun 11, 2019, 12:51 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
... and FWIW, more often than not (IME) paying for one drink via coupon tends to come with "free refills", depending on the mood of the FA (which is also relevant as to if they'll collect one in the first place).
Jun 25, 2019, 7:44 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: BWI
Programs: Marriott LTT, WN A, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
I am thinking the free drinks onboard will continue to be business as usual, but the QR code scanning will combat the "repurposing" and "recycling" of already used coupons.
Now that I read about dumpster diving and the like I'm glad my last name won't be floating around who-knows-where anymore.
Now that I read about dumpster diving and the like I'm glad my last name won't be floating around who-knows-where anymore.
Jun 29, 2019, 10:33 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: MDW/ORD
Posts: 46
Just took a flight with a group of 8 and the FA only took 1 drink coupon, and we all got 3-4 rounds of drinks. Gave her a nice tip as 25+ drinks for one coupon was quite a steal 
Hopefully these good times don’t end with the new codes!
Hopefully these good times don’t end with the new codes!