New: Rapid Reward Point Subscription Plans
Apr 19, 2021, 3:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 71
New: Rapid Reward Point Subscription Plans
On the heels of a Rapid Reward point devaluation, Southwest has rolled out a monthly point subscription plan.
Lock in roughly 1,875 points per month to the cost of $50/month. Seems insane to me - not to mention the points do not count toward any A-List or Companion status.
Lock in roughly 1,875 points per month to the cost of $50/month. Seems insane to me - not to mention the points do not count toward any A-List or Companion status.
Apr 19, 2021, 5:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Cheaper than "regular" points purchase (assuming no bonus) but still higher than points actual value. The 80k plan gets close, especially if you factor in perceived points benefits (refundability, less taxes/fees, etc.) but that's an awfully large & lengthy commitment.
Points value (current, literal):
$1 / 83 = $0.0120
30K:
$51.56 x 12 = $618.72
$618.72 / 30,000 = $0.0206 per point
40k:
$64.16 x 12 = $769.92
$769.92 / 40,000 = $0.0192 per point
80k:
$119.16 x 12 = $1,429.92
$1,429.92 / 80,000 = $0.0179 per point
Apr 19, 2021, 7:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,195
The blogs got this one right too.
A subscription plan WORSE than Clark Griswold's jelly of the month club.
A subscription plan WORSE than Clark Griswold's jelly of the month club.
Apr 19, 2021, 7:48 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
This idea is so nuts, it belongs in The Peanut Gallery
Apr 20, 2021, 6:55 am
#9
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
We have three WN credit cards and rarely use them. Will actually be dropping one in wifes name shortly and will apply again late this year.
This promotion is downright insulting.
Apr 20, 2021, 7:13 am
#10
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
Agreed. (a greed?)
It's an implicit statement that Southwest believes its Customers are suckers, too stupid or trusting to do basic arithmetic.
I recommend that Southwest close this promotion to new buyers and then top off any past purchases to 83 points per dollar spent. Or even leave it open at 83 points per dollar. That would be both courageous and honorable.
It's an implicit statement that Southwest believes its Customers are suckers, too stupid or trusting to do basic arithmetic.
I recommend that Southwest close this promotion to new buyers and then top off any past purchases to 83 points per dollar spent. Or even leave it open at 83 points per dollar. That would be both courageous and honorable.
Apr 20, 2021, 8:02 am
#11
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
Agreed. (a greed?)
It's an implicit statement that Southwest believes its Customers are suckers, too stupid or trusting to do basic arithmetic.
I recommend that Southwest close this promotion to new buyers and then top off any past purchases to 83 points per dollar spent. Or even leave it open at 83 points per dollar. That would be both courageous and honorable.
It's an implicit statement that Southwest believes its Customers are suckers, too stupid or trusting to do basic arithmetic.
I recommend that Southwest close this promotion to new buyers and then top off any past purchases to 83 points per dollar spent. Or even leave it open at 83 points per dollar. That would be both courageous and honorable.
Apr 20, 2021, 10:10 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
Apr 20, 2021, 10:58 am
#14
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
Agreed. (a greed?)
It's an implicit statement that Southwest believes its Customers are suckers, too stupid or trusting to do basic arithmetic.
I recommend that Southwest close this promotion to new buyers and then top off any past purchases to 83 points per dollar spent. Or even leave it open at 83 points per dollar. That would be both courageous and honorable.
It's an implicit statement that Southwest believes its Customers are suckers, too stupid or trusting to do basic arithmetic.
I recommend that Southwest close this promotion to new buyers and then top off any past purchases to 83 points per dollar spent. Or even leave it open at 83 points per dollar. That would be both courageous and honorable.
I got $310 back from SAMs last year - most from the 5% off gas purchases.
Got $410 back from Amazon using the Amazon card. (5% on everything and Whole Foods)
Got all kinds of kickbacks on other cards.
Family member will not use credit cards and prefers debit cards. He say credit cards are a ripoff.
Go figure.
We have not paid for flights in a few years due to getting WN/Chase credit cards. And have had companion pass for the past 5 years.
Apr 20, 2021, 1:35 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Today's Click & Save email included (for me, may be individualized/targeted) a Points offer that includes an up to 75% bonus.
At the minimum points purchase to get the 75% bonus, you're paying quite a bit less than any of the subscription plans.
15,000 + 11,250 = 26,250
$412.50 / 26,250 = 0.0157
At the minimum purchase to get any bonus you're still paying less than any of the subscription plans.
5,000 + 3,250 = 8,250
$137.50 / 8,250 = 0.0167
Presumably the subscription plans are aimed at consumers who want to "layaway" or save up for a trip, putting away a smaller amount of money every month and then redeeming after a year. I think those people are going to be really upset when they finally have enough points to purchase their flight, but discover that the fare has increased and now they can't afford it. (Much less learning that they could have bought the fare for a lot less cash than they spent on points.)
At the minimum points purchase to get the 75% bonus, you're paying quite a bit less than any of the subscription plans.
15,000 + 11,250 = 26,250
$412.50 / 26,250 = 0.0157
At the minimum purchase to get any bonus you're still paying less than any of the subscription plans.
5,000 + 3,250 = 8,250
$137.50 / 8,250 = 0.0167
Presumably the subscription plans are aimed at consumers who want to "layaway" or save up for a trip, putting away a smaller amount of money every month and then redeeming after a year. I think those people are going to be really upset when they finally have enough points to purchase their flight, but discover that the fare has increased and now they can't afford it. (Much less learning that they could have bought the fare for a lot less cash than they spent on points.)