Extensions of Elite Status, CP, Travel funds, and option to convert funds to points
Apr 24, 2020, 11:06 am
#122
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
Apr 24, 2020, 11:29 am
#123
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,240
The points calculus is interesting now, given that status is extended through the 2021 year, and travel funds created during this period are valid through Sept 2022, it might be worthwhile to use points for any 2020 travel, and waiting until 2021 to start using travel funds. (At least in my case, under normal circumstances I usually qualify for A-list by flying about 26-27 flights per year, so almost all my travel is paid, and my points accumulate without getting used too often)
Apr 24, 2020, 11:43 am
#124
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Gold
Posts: 1,676
Apr 24, 2020, 11:43 am
#125
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
An early-morning @Email. Presumably targeted(?) as doesn't display on the website until logged on to RR account. Hopefully one of you really smart (and patient) folks will happen along and explain to others why these things are rarely a "bargain"
Offer is valid between Apr 14, 2020, 12:00:01 a.m. CT and May 22, 2020, 11:59:59 p.m. CT. Rapid Rewards® Member will save 25% when the Member purchases, gifts, or transfers 2,000 to 9,000 Rapid Rewards points; or save 35% when the Member purchases, gifts, or transfers 10,000 to 14,000 Rapid Rewards points; or save 45% when the Member purchases, gifts, or transfers 15,000 or more Rapid Rewards points. A valid credit card is required to purchase, transfer, or gift points. A minimum 2,000 points purchase threshold must be met on a per transaction basis in order to qualify for the minimum discount. Points can be purchased, transferred, and gifted in blocks of 1,000 and a daily maximum of 60,000 points can be purchased by a Member with no annual maximum. Transactions are non-refundable and non-reversible. Purchased, transferred, and gifted points do not count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass qualification. Prices are in U.S. Dollars and does not include excise taxes. Please allow 72 hours for points to post to the applicable Rapid Rewards account. Prices for the purchase, transfer, and gifting of points are only valid while a Member is currently logged in to Southwest.com® and such prices are subject to change. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms. Southwest® reserves the right to amend, suspend, or change the Rapid Rewards program and/or Rapid Rewards program rules at any time without notice. Rapid Rewards Members do not acquire property rights in accrued points. The number of Rapid Rewards points needed for a particular Southwest flight is set by Southwest and will vary depending on destination, time, day of travel, demand, fare type, point redemption rate, and other factors, and is subject to change at any time until the booking is confirmed.
The email address provided here is used for confirmation of your purchase of Rapid Rewards Points and if you’ve opted into receiving emails from Points.com Inc. related to Southwest Rapid Rewards®. This will not alter the email address currently stored in your Rapid Rewards profile.
Prices are in U.S. Dollars and does not include excise taxes. Prices for the purchase or gifting of Rapid Rewards points are only valid while a member is current logged into southwest.com and such prices are subject to change. Purchased Rapid Rewards points are nonrefundable and nonreversible.All Southwest Rapid Rewards® Rules and Regulations apply in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Apr 24, 2020, 2:02 pm
#126
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA MM Gold, AA Gold, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, WN CP AList
Posts: 293
Sooooo, for those of us who do not have a current CP, but could probably earn one at any point with a new CC approval bonus, we have a decision to make. I don't really want to earn CP now because I won't/can't fly that much anytime soon. On the other hand, the CC approval bonus can be discontinued at any time. Also, earning CP later in the year may increase the likelihood that the benefits might be extended into 2022. Is anyone else in the same boat?
Apr 26, 2020, 2:49 pm
#127
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the airlines I worked for.
Posts: 1,894
I don't think it makes any sense to earn a new CP in 2020 when you will likely get very little use of out it. In November, take stock of the situation and if it appears things are returning to normal, make your plan to complete the CP in January. (This would probably be the best advice in late April even without Corona Virus)
Apr 26, 2020, 8:01 pm
#128
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 don't think it makes any sense to earn a new CP in 2020 when you will likely get very little use of out it. In November, take stock of the situation and if it appears things are returning to normal, make your plan to complete the CP in January. (This would probably be the best advice in late April even without Corona Virus)
If you are not in a position to reach the CP level in early 2021 - then you might as well go for it now. Hit 100-125k in early Jan can be quite a challenge for many folks.
Apr 26, 2020, 10:58 pm
#129
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
The points calculus is interesting now, given that status is extended through the 2021 year, and travel funds created during this period are valid through Sept 2022, it might be worthwhile to use points for any 2020 travel, and waiting until 2021 to start using travel funds. (At least in my case, under normal circumstances I usually qualify for A-list by flying about 26-27 flights per year, so almost all my travel is paid, and my points accumulate without getting used too often)
Apr 27, 2020, 9:09 am
#130
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Maryland
Posts: 78
Yup, that is my issue. I had greater than normal spending in early 2020. I am not sure that I will qualify in early 2021 if everything is reset on December 31.
Apr 27, 2020, 5:33 pm
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: TPA for now. Hopefully LIS for retirement
Posts: 13,680
Southwest has announced a comprehensive plan to preserve our elite benefits and travel funds. The option to convert travel funds to points is novel and welcome. This is an even better outcome than I had expected.
Excerpts from the full policy: https://www.southwest.com/RRcoronavirusupdates/
We are making it easier for Rapid Rewards Members to earn tier status and Companion Pass this year by giving everyone 15,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs), 10 qualifying one-way flight segments toward tier status, 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points (CPQPs), and 25 qualifying one-way flight segments toward Companion Pass. This added boost will accelerate your progress toward achieving tier status and Companion Pass in 2020.
No action is necessary on your part—the 15,000 tier qualifying points, 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, and flight segments will be deposited into all Members’ accounts in the coming weeks. Tier qualifying points, Companion Pass qualifying points, and flight segments will be given to any Member who opened a Rapid Rewards account by April 1, 2020.
Excerpts from the full policy: https://www.southwest.com/RRcoronavirusupdates/
We’re extending tier status and Companion Pass benefits
- For A-List and A-List Preferred Members who earned A-List or A-List Preferred status through December 31, 2020 and not through any type of promotion, we are extending your current earned status through December 31, 2021.
We are making it easier for Rapid Rewards Members to earn tier status and Companion Pass this year by giving everyone 15,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs), 10 qualifying one-way flight segments toward tier status, 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points (CPQPs), and 25 qualifying one-way flight segments toward Companion Pass. This added boost will accelerate your progress toward achieving tier status and Companion Pass in 2020.
No action is necessary on your part—the 15,000 tier qualifying points, 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, and flight segments will be deposited into all Members’ accounts in the coming weeks. Tier qualifying points, Companion Pass qualifying points, and flight segments will be given to any Member who opened a Rapid Rewards account by April 1, 2020.
I know it says it will be done "in the coming weeks" from April 16 and has only been 10 days but I still haven't seen any of that and am wondering if anyone else has.
Apr 27, 2020, 5:37 pm
#132
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
It seems like this thread has become mostly a discussion about Travel Funds, but has anyone seen the above in their accounts yet (status extended to 12/31/2021 and the 15K TQPs / 10 segments / 25K CPQPs)?
I know it says it will be done "in the coming weeks" from April 16 and has only been 10 days but I still haven't seen any of that and am wondering if anyone else has.
I know it says it will be done "in the coming weeks" from April 16 and has only been 10 days but I still haven't seen any of that and am wondering if anyone else has.
Apr 27, 2020, 8:56 pm
#133
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,187
Spending travel funds or cash count as A-list and CP Qualifying. thus, we will burn points until we care about re-earning status. In our case that is 2021.
So WN gets an interest free loan from my travel funds.
Last edited by expert7700; Apr 27, 2020 at 9:04 pm
Apr 28, 2020, 5:59 am
#134
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
LOL
Apr 28, 2020, 12:22 pm
#135
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
Has anyone seen the extra 25,000 points towards Companion Pass posted yet (from their April 16th email)?
This one actually matters. I have a sister that is about to book a flight for late May and would reach CP once this posts.
(Apologies to an earlier post that actually included this question, but got lost and my reply was... well...)
This one actually matters. I have a sister that is about to book a flight for late May and would reach CP once this posts.
(Apologies to an earlier post that actually included this question, but got lost and my reply was... well...)