New Southwest drink coupon QR codes (end of discretionary free drinks?)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
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New Southwest drink coupon QR codes (end of discretionary free drinks?)
The new drink coupons have QR codes on them, containing an embedded 13 digit coupon number, issue date, and expiration date. No member name printed on them.

This means Southwest can track free drink redemptions. I expect to see less latitude for FAs to 'forget' to collect payment or coupons, which they currently do for various reasons.
//Ironic that they still don't track checked baggage progress / loading by scanning barcodes. Priorities

This means Southwest can track free drink redemptions. I expect to see less latitude for FAs to 'forget' to collect payment or coupons, which they currently do for various reasons.
//Ironic that they still don't track checked baggage progress / loading by scanning barcodes. Priorities

#3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 203
I expect to see less latitude for FAs to 'forget' to collect payment or coupons, which they currently do for various reasons.
#4
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It has always amazed me that there is really no unique number on these coupons. After all, how hard would it be to just print up your own?
If WN wanted to reduce expenses, they could easily tighten up the accountability of booze. For whatever reason, they do not. (goodwill and marketing is my guess)
If WN wanted to reduce expenses, they could easily tighten up the accountability of booze. For whatever reason, they do not. (goodwill and marketing is my guess)
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
There are still a year's worth of non-coded drink coupons out there, so the change will likely take a while. But tightening up on drink accountability is certainly coming. You don't spend money implementing a tracking system unless there's a return on that investment. (Which also explains why bags aren't scanned or tracked. Yet.)
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2017
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LOL I still get free drinks. Also don't think this changes anything because when I do use coupons 9/10 times they're from someone not related with completely different last names and no one blinks an eye.
#10
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that is the norm... and I doubt that would change.... it would be a royal pain to start checking ID's... and of course they would need to change policy to "not transferable"
#11
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: STL
Programs: Southwest A+/CP, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 170
Scanned where? At the check-in counter? This is the only place it happens with Southwest. I promise they don't have a clue where your bag is after this point. Ask me how I know....
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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Adding the code and an expiration date simply allows WN to implement better internal controls if it wishes to do so. Given that it will take a year once it does, it makes a lot of sense to do as it has done here. Adding the data does not particularly cost WN anything.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Hilarious.
You don't really believe that, do you?
#14
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Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
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I have been buying drink coupons on ebay.
The ones that came this week look fake to me.... okay...I just looked a bit closer. Maybe "used" is a better description of them.
What is really interesting - 6 coupons and everyone is a different name. The only two scenarios that make sense on this one is they are either
a) Fake and printed up by the seller
or
b) Recovered from crew or someone inside at Southwest.
It could be quite a scam for a FA to collect coupons, then sell them.
The ones that came this week look fake to me.... okay...I just looked a bit closer. Maybe "used" is a better description of them.
What is really interesting - 6 coupons and everyone is a different name. The only two scenarios that make sense on this one is they are either
a) Fake and printed up by the seller
or
b) Recovered from crew or someone inside at Southwest.
It could be quite a scam for a FA to collect coupons, then sell them.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2015
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