Email news flashes + Wiki FAQ + Customizing FT + Posting guidelines
Jun 29, 2016, 9:55 pm
#121
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
24 hours left for an unprecedented 70% bonus buying RR points = $0.0162 per point
We've never before newsflashed a sale on Rapid Rewards points purchases as the primary news item, but this sale just might be worthwhile for you.
For the next 24 hours you can get 1.7 times the normal number of points per dollar if you buy 21000 or more, e.g. 21000+14699 = $577.50. That works out to $0.0162 per point.
The terms say that the deal drops by 10% (to 1.6x) after June 30. Since points.com operates on Eastern Time, you should assume that the special rates will end on Eastern Time, midnight Thursday.
Each member can buy up to 60,000 points per day, plus the 42,000 bonus points. That gives you 102,000 points for $1650.
Is this a good deal? That depends on how you use RR points.
If you redeem for high fares, where taxes are a small percentage of the cash price, you can't achieve 1.6 cents per point in savings. At low fares, below $60 or so, you can. Plus you get the equivalent of full refundability on non-refundable fares, with no locking funds to one passenger. If your family changes plans a lot, this convenience is valuable.
With my point balance almost completely depleted by anniversary sale purchases, I'm considering a purchase of RR points to give me back my usual ability to book new trips for family members. It may cost me the equivalent of 10% in value versus cash fares, but the convenience is outstanding. I can make the cash or points decision trip by trip.
I could redeem Ultimate Rewards points for Rapid Rewards points, so one way to look at this deal is as an opportunity to preserve those Ultimate Rewards points for 1.6 cents each. That's a decent price for UR points if you want more RR points and you feel that your UR points balance is inadequate.
See the discussion of this deal and alternatives at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...rr-points.html
Here are the terms for this sale:
In other news, on July 7 the schedule will be extended to March 7, 2017. Since Southwest rarely offers good fares fares that far in the future, don't expect to see any great deals.
Two recent threads contain interesting information about Southwest's near-term plans:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...elevision.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...y-changes.html
For the next 24 hours you can get 1.7 times the normal number of points per dollar if you buy 21000 or more, e.g. 21000+14699 = $577.50. That works out to $0.0162 per point.
The terms say that the deal drops by 10% (to 1.6x) after June 30. Since points.com operates on Eastern Time, you should assume that the special rates will end on Eastern Time, midnight Thursday.
Each member can buy up to 60,000 points per day, plus the 42,000 bonus points. That gives you 102,000 points for $1650.
Is this a good deal? That depends on how you use RR points.
If you redeem for high fares, where taxes are a small percentage of the cash price, you can't achieve 1.6 cents per point in savings. At low fares, below $60 or so, you can. Plus you get the equivalent of full refundability on non-refundable fares, with no locking funds to one passenger. If your family changes plans a lot, this convenience is valuable.
With my point balance almost completely depleted by anniversary sale purchases, I'm considering a purchase of RR points to give me back my usual ability to book new trips for family members. It may cost me the equivalent of 10% in value versus cash fares, but the convenience is outstanding. I can make the cash or points decision trip by trip.
I could redeem Ultimate Rewards points for Rapid Rewards points, so one way to look at this deal is as an opportunity to preserve those Ultimate Rewards points for 1.6 cents each. That's a decent price for UR points if you want more RR points and you feel that your UR points balance is inadequate.
See the discussion of this deal and alternatives at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...rr-points.html
Here are the terms for this sale:
Offer is valid between June 28, 2016, 12:00:01 a.m. CST and July 13, 2016, 11:59:59 p.m. CST. Member will receive up to 60% more points as bonus when they purchase Rapid Rewards® points. In addition for the first three days of the promotion period the member will receive an additional 10% bonus points. When gifting or transferring points the recipient will receive up to 60% more points as bonus when the Member gifts or transfers Rapid Rewards points. In addition for the first three days of the promotion period the recipient will receive an additional 10% bonus points. A valid Credit Card is required to buy, gift, or transfer points. (a) A minimum 5,000 points purchase threshold must be met on a per transaction basis, in order to qualify for 40% bonus points and from June 28, 2016 to June 30, 2016 the member will receive 50% bonus points, (b) 11,000 points to 20,000 points purchase threshold must be met on a per transaction basis, in order to qualify for 50% bonus points and from June 28, 2016 to June 30, 2016 the member will receive 60% bonus points, and (c) 21,000 or more points purchase threshold must be met on a per transaction basis, in order to qualify for 60% bonus and from June 28, 2016 to June 30, 2016 the member will receive 70% bonus points. Points can be purchased in blocks of 1,000 and a daily maximum of 60,000 points can be purchased or gifted by a Member with no annual maximum. Transactions are non-refundable and non-reversible.
Purchased/gifted/transferred points and bonus points do not count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass qualification. Prices are in U.S. Dollars and include all applicable taxes. Please allow 72 hours for points to post to your Rapid Rewards account. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply. 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 and awards. The number of Rapid Rewards Points needed for any particular Southwest flight is set by Southwest and will vary depending on destination, time, day of travel, demand, point redemption rate, and other factors and are subject to change.Visit www.southwest.com/rrterms for full Rapid Rewards Program Terms and Conditions.
The email address provided here is only used for confirmation of your points purchase and will not alter the email address currently stored in your Rapid Rewards profile.
Prices are in U.S. Dollars and include all applicable taxes. Purchased points are nonrefundable and nonreversible. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.
Purchased/gifted/transferred points and bonus points do not count towards A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass qualification. Prices are in U.S. Dollars and include all applicable taxes. Please allow 72 hours for points to post to your Rapid Rewards account. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply. 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 and awards. The number of Rapid Rewards Points needed for any particular Southwest flight is set by Southwest and will vary depending on destination, time, day of travel, demand, point redemption rate, and other factors and are subject to change.Visit www.southwest.com/rrterms for full Rapid Rewards Program Terms and Conditions.
The email address provided here is only used for confirmation of your points purchase and will not alter the email address currently stored in your Rapid Rewards profile.
Prices are in U.S. Dollars and include all applicable taxes. Purchased points are nonrefundable and nonreversible. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.
Two recent threads contain interesting information about Southwest's near-term plans:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...elevision.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...y-changes.html
Jul 7, 2016, 1:00 am
#122
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
Schedule extension Thursday, July 07, travel through March 07, 2017
Unless you are a night owl, live a couple time zones or more west of the North America Pacific Coast, or on the other side of the pond, WN's booking window should be extended through March 07, 2017 by the time you read this alert. This is probably of most interest to inhabitants of North America cold climes who need to book an escape to warmer weather.
In other news:
In other news:
- FT member tassojunior reports knowing of a targeted offer of a 70,000 point signup bonus for the RR Premier Business Visa. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...nvitation.html
- Don't forget to keep checking for lower fares, even on those "great deal" bookings from the big sale in June. There are still markets where WN matches competitors who offer better deals (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...l#post26878938) or for whatever other reason fares are adjusted down after the big sale (e.g., AUS-MCO at an eye-popping $59 AI OW).
- Close this Email now if you are prone to panic attacks related to a renowned trouble area for SWA.
- SWA plans to implement major IT changes that will allow it to make major operational changes, such as red eye flights and reduced Tu/We schedules. Join the conversation at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...y-changes.html
Jul 21, 2016, 12:25 am
#123
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
Major System Outage and Flight Cancellations; Targeted Fast Track to Companion Pass
On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 just after noon Central Time Southwest's internal computer systems suffered a major failure. Flight departures were halted during outages, and Southwest was not able to restore full functionality. Many flights were canceled, and others were delayed many hours.
My Southwest login is working intermittently with very limited functionality even if you get in. Points bookings do not appear to be possible yet. It's anyone's guess how much Thursday's operations will be disrupted. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...roundstop.html
About 2 weeks ago Southwest sent out emails to some Rapid Rewards members in California offering a Companion Pass for ten one-way revenue flights to or from any California airport between July 7 and October 31 this year. You do need to rebook your flights if you sign up for this offer. Check the Promotions section in your My Southwest page. Since that's not working right now, check your July 7 email including your Spam folder. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...nion-pass.html
In other news, discount fare availability for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays seems to have improved. Check it out. You may find that those very high fares on your preferred dates are much more reasonable now.
My Southwest login is working intermittently with very limited functionality even if you get in. Points bookings do not appear to be possible yet. It's anyone's guess how much Thursday's operations will be disrupted. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...roundstop.html
About 2 weeks ago Southwest sent out emails to some Rapid Rewards members in California offering a Companion Pass for ten one-way revenue flights to or from any California airport between July 7 and October 31 this year. You do need to rebook your flights if you sign up for this offer. Check the Promotions section in your My Southwest page. Since that's not working right now, check your July 7 email including your Spam folder. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...nion-pass.html
In other news, discount fare availability for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays seems to have improved. Check it out. You may find that those very high fares on your preferred dates are much more reasonable now.
Oct 4, 2016, 6:33 am
#124
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
3-day Fall sale for travel Nov 30 - Feb 15 except Fri, Sun, holidays
Southwest has major sales twice a year. This is the second one. (The first was the anniversary sale in June.) See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ale-49-up.html
In other news:
1. On August 4, 2016 the schedule was extended through April 24, 2017. The next extension is expected November 1, 2016 for travel through June 2, 2017.
2. Check your My Southwest promotions section for a targeted double points promotion for Anytime and Business Select purchases this Fall. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ll-travel.html
3. As of September 13, A-list members are now permitted free standby for earlier flights within 2 hours of the booked departure time. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ndby-list.html
4. Starwood and Marriott points programs now allow points transfer back and forth, improving your ability to earn a Companion Pass using Marriott Points. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ification.html
- Purchase from October 4 through October 6, 2016, 11:59 p.m. for the respective time zone of the originating city.
- Domestic travel valid November 30 through December 20, 2016, and January 4 through February 15, 2017. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico valid November 30 through December 8, 2016, and January 17 through March 2, 2017. International travel valid November 30 through December 13, 2016, and January 10 through March 2, 2017.
- Domestic travel is not valid on Fridays and Sundays. Travel to Florida and Nevada and from Florida to Nevada is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Florida and Nevada and from Nevada to Florida is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico is valid Monday through Thursday. International travel is valid only on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Fares valid on nonstop service only.
- Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees.
- Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one way flight.
- Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods.
- Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away® fares.
- Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines® combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply.
- Sale fares may be available on other days of week, but not guaranteed.
- Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines®, so long as you cancel your reservations at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation.
- Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare.
- Fares are subject to change until ticketed.
- Offer applies to published, scheduled service only.
In other news:
1. On August 4, 2016 the schedule was extended through April 24, 2017. The next extension is expected November 1, 2016 for travel through June 2, 2017.
2. Check your My Southwest promotions section for a targeted double points promotion for Anytime and Business Select purchases this Fall. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ll-travel.html
3. As of September 13, A-list members are now permitted free standby for earlier flights within 2 hours of the booked departure time. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ndby-list.html
4. Starwood and Marriott points programs now allow points transfer back and forth, improving your ability to earn a Companion Pass using Marriott Points. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ification.html
Oct 18, 2016, 11:53 am
#125
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
Within the past hour Southwest has matched a great one-day Virgin America sale which in some cases beats Southwest's recent semi-annual sale. Some intra-California flights are $46, which is the lowest I've seen this year except for Long Beach.
Check fares for your trips through March 8.
Check fares for your trips through March 8.
Jan 2, 2017, 12:26 am
#126
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
URGENT notice: points transfers into Rapid Rewards NO LONGER COUNT for CP!!!!
With zero notice and no announcement, Southwest Airlines has changed its Companion Pass T&C such that points transfers from partners such as Marriott and Choice Hotels no longer count as CPQP!
Hat tip to Vinodavid for first posting this sad and terribly disappointing news early the afternoon of New Year's Day 2017.
The RR T&C now include the newly modified (emphasis added) sentence:
This change must have been planned and programmed some time ago. Just as clearly, Southwest must have decided that it could not afford to provide advance notice to its members, even those who have been loyal to Southwest for years or for decades. Concealing this change from members prior to implementing it on 01-Jan-2017 eliminated any chance that members could scale back their plans for a 24-month CP to at least obtain only a 12-month CP (by moving up their planned points transfer from January, 2017 to December, 2016).
For years loyal SWA customers have accumulated Rapid Rewards partner points with the intention to transfer them to RR to top off their Companion Pass credit or points total. Because of this long history of planned transfers, a zero-notice change has the effect of retroactively penalizing these planners.
This change was planned and conducted almost as if its objective had been to inflict maximum cost and inconvenience on blog readers who were planning to transfer points for a Companion Pass. No consideration seems to have been given to any collateral damage to loyal Southwest customers. Is this (i.e., caring not at all about damage to the faces of long-term loyal flyers, while gleefully cutting off the noses of newbie abusers) part of what Southwest calls Transfarency?
In yet another display of typical corporate dishonesty, Southwest has apparently released a statement proclaiming this change was simply a "closing of a loophole," which was necessary to "protect the integrity and value of Southwest’s industry-unique Rapid Rewards® Companion Pass."
All RR members should carefully re-evaluate any plans to transfer hotel (or other partner) points to Southwest. Their value, once transferred, will now be capped at the maximum value of Rapid Rewards points: 1/72 of a dollar per point (likely soon falling yet again), plus [tax and fee savings minus foregone points earnings], if used for WN flights. Marriott Travel Packages are probably worth more than this when redeemed for Alaska or United miles.
In particular:
Hat tip to Vinodavid for first posting this sad and terribly disappointing news early the afternoon of New Year's Day 2017.
The RR T&C now include the newly modified (emphasis added) sentence:
Purchased points, transferred points transferred between members, points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs, and e-Rewards, e-Miles, Valued Opinions and Diners Club, points earned from program enrollment, tier bonus points, flight bonus points, and partner bonus points (with the exception of the Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase) do not qualify as Companion Pass Qualifying Points.
For years loyal SWA customers have accumulated Rapid Rewards partner points with the intention to transfer them to RR to top off their Companion Pass credit or points total. Because of this long history of planned transfers, a zero-notice change has the effect of retroactively penalizing these planners.
This change was planned and conducted almost as if its objective had been to inflict maximum cost and inconvenience on blog readers who were planning to transfer points for a Companion Pass. No consideration seems to have been given to any collateral damage to loyal Southwest customers. Is this (i.e., caring not at all about damage to the faces of long-term loyal flyers, while gleefully cutting off the noses of newbie abusers) part of what Southwest calls Transfarency?
In yet another display of typical corporate dishonesty, Southwest has apparently released a statement proclaiming this change was simply a "closing of a loophole," which was necessary to "protect the integrity and value of Southwest’s industry-unique Rapid Rewards® Companion Pass."
All RR members should carefully re-evaluate any plans to transfer hotel (or other partner) points to Southwest. Their value, once transferred, will now be capped at the maximum value of Rapid Rewards points: 1/72 of a dollar per point (likely soon falling yet again), plus [tax and fee savings minus foregone points earnings], if used for WN flights. Marriott Travel Packages are probably worth more than this when redeemed for Alaska or United miles.
In particular:
Do not transfer partner points into Rapid Rewards
if your sole reason for doing so is to earn a CP!
Jan 4, 2017, 1:48 pm
#127
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
Contain your enthusiasm; SWA may be pranking you
If recent Emails from Southwest have you hoping you sneaked through with a CP from transferred hotel points, despite the recent no-notice rule change, or that you received a holiday bonus from Rapid Rewards in the form of higher-than-expected tier status for 2017-2018...you will probably end up disappointed. Please see the Incorrect Status Email from Southwest thread.
Last edited by ftnoob; Sep 20, 2019 at 1:21 pm Reason: System wasn't automatically displaying thread title
Jan 5, 2017, 1:41 am
#128
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
Booking summer travel?
Amidst all the distraction of the dramatic changes regarding qualification for Companion Pass, don't overlook that a schedule extension for the busy summer travel season is imminent (as in: hours from now as I write, perhaps already past as you read this).
The SWA Travel Tools page currently says:
In case you hadn't already noticed, SWA issued a short-term grace period for hotel points transfers to count as CPQP. See the official news and the FT discussion
The SWA Travel Tools page currently says:
We are currently accepting air reservations through June 2, 2017. On January 5, 2017 we will open our schedule for sale through August 14, 2017. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.
Mar 11, 2017, 1:43 am
#129
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
If you are traveling on Sunday, March 12--the first day of DST--be aware that your OLCI window might open at an unexpected hour. See Daylight Savings Time start / end: confusing effects on OLCI window.
This week SWA extended its last bookable travel date from August 14 to September 29. The SWA Travel Tools page currently says:
That's an unusually short time between schedule extensions! Not really anything to get excited about, though, as August 14 to November 3, the period covered by the two schedule extensions, is pretty much also the time period covered by the traditional June/Anniversary Big Sale for fall travel. If you see an unbelievable bargain fare, grab it quick. Otherwise be patient; lower fares are probably "around the corner."
In other news:
1) Window for using hotel points transfers to earn CP closing soon!
This week SWA extended its last bookable travel date from August 14 to September 29. The SWA Travel Tools page currently says:
We are currently accepting air reservations through September 29, 2017. On March 16, 2017 we will open our schedule for sale through November 3, 2017. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.
In other news:
1) Window for using hotel points transfers to earn CP closing soon!
Don't forget that grace period for exploiting the decades-old "loophole" for counting hotel points transfers towards the Companion Pass will end at the end of this month. See the official news and the FT discussion.
2) New ticketing system aggressively cancels suspect bookingsEssential read: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...-bookings.html
3) Ticketing system changeover results in duplicate PNRs, customer private data leakage, account lockoutsAnother shining example of IT FUBAR at SWA: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...hangeover.html
4) Sick of spammy SWA Emails about your booked flights?FT member maquez gave us the simple solution. See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...l#post27977093
Last edited by ftnoob; Sep 20, 2019 at 1:33 pm
May 18, 2017, 1:45 am
#130
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
WN's booking window should be extended through January 7, 2018 about 4 hours from now. This is your first opportunity to book Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. In recent years Southwest has NOT offered its best fares for peak dates at schedule opening. Thanksgiving Sunday has been the prime example of this tardiness to release reasonable fares. Thanksgiving Wednesday, by contrast, may have immediate availability of reasonable fares which will not return. You need to know what's a reasonable fare for your city pair. If the fare is unreasonable, vote against it by not buying.
In other news:
In other news:
- Yesterday Southwest's International flights moved to LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). This is less convenient than the previous Terminal 2 location, but c'est la vie. As one consolation, Chase Reserve cardholders and others with Priority Pass can access the Korean Air lounge in TBIT.
- Southwest completed a transition of its internal operating software to an Amadeus-based system as of May 9, 2017. According to the discussion at Flying on / after nex gen system cutover day (May 9) the transition was reasonably smooth. Gate agents may take some time to learn how to use the new system, especially for unusual requests like A-list free standby, but all the functions of the old system are believed to have been implemented. One unknown is whether a bag can be checked all the way through on a combined itinerary (booked as an A-B-C "round trip", presumably because the fare was lower than A-C or because the customer wanted to earn one more segment credit toward A-list qualification). See the discussion at Agents can't (or won't) thru-check bags on A-B-C itinerary with new system.
- The new operating software enables many future features, including support for red-eye flights. Two features have already been seen: Automated rebooking when your misconnect: New System - auto rebooking! plus the infamous automated cancellation of duplicate and near-duplicate bookings: WN's new reservation system aggressively cancels duplicate bookings
The parameters for automatic cancellation are unknown and possibly in flux, but it appears that you have 24 to 48 hours to cancel the extra trips before the computer drops them. The days of carefree booking of multiple trip options are over. - The new schedule may include some new twists which were not feasible with the old software. Watch the Southwest forum for discussion of any surprises.
Last edited by ftnoob; Sep 20, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Jun 6, 2017, 1:01 am
#131
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
2017 version of the June sale for fall travel might be starting today
FT member 73G has reported that $49 O/W fares have been loaded by WN, possibly indicating that this week's Click-n-Save feature will be the annual June sale for fall travel. nsx reports that the $49 fare sales appear to be for travel Aug 22 - Dec 13, which fits the pattern of recent June sales for fall travel. As of now, nothing official has been posted to either www.southwest.com or www.swamedia.com, so stay alert and on you toes if want to book fall travel during the annual sale. Also remember that a) you can no longer book multiple "maybe" flights in a narrow time window; and b) that for any given route and date, the fares during the annual big sale are not necessarily the best so far or to be seen in the months ahead.
Jun 22, 2017, 12:29 am
#132
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
Early this AM (22-Jun-2017) Southwest likely will (or did, depending on when you are seeing this) extend their booking window to March 7, 2018. That's probably tied with the "annual first extension beyond late August" for most "Ho hum" schedule horizon update of the year. Holiday travel is over and March 7 is probably too early for Spring break travel.
Be that as it may, there are other important things to know:
Be that as it may, there are other important things to know:
- Your BS or Anytime ticket could become, or might already be, 100% non-refundable, if you aren't aware of some absurd changes SWA made to their CoC in late 2016. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...-9-2017-a.html and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ss-select.html. Class action law suits are widely anticipated, but be smart and use cancel / rebook instead of "Change itinerary;"
- Be aware that the limited time 60,000 point sign-up bonus for the RR Visa could be ending quite soon, perhaps by the end of this month;
- You can fly WN to Turks & Caicos on WN starting this fall! See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...s-flights.html;
- Check your Email or RR Promotions page for a possible Double points / A-List offer, as first pointed out by FT member jco613. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ints-list.html;
- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...-selected.html is an all-too-common issue with the new reservation system;
- Improved onboard WiFi could be in your future. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...fast-wifi.html
Sep 23, 2017, 10:35 pm
#133
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
The current 60k point credit card bonus offer reportedly ends October 1. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...l#post28844849 (post 31 of that thread). The thread explains how you can delay earning your signup bonus until 2018 and count it toward your 2018 and 2019 Companion Pass. The window is closing for this 60k offer, so it's decision time.
In other recent news:
1. We finally have a new Wiki for Southwest Airlines at http://www.flyertalk.com/wiki/index...._Rapid_Rewards
It is comprehensive and fully up to date. Please consider helping keep it that way by adding and editing the content. Don't be shy about it.
2. Several extensions of Southwest's schedule have occurred this summer, as listed in the Wiki
http://www.flyertalk.com/wiki/index....ension_history
3. Southwest has begun experimenting with offering better value for points reservations on some very early and very late departures. 60 points per dollar is 17% better than 72 points per dollar. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...er-dollar.html
4. Southwest's website has been giving errors when attempting to Check in or Cancel reservations while logged in. Logout (but do not login again) and retry and it seems to work. Icognito mode browser windows also appear to work. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ou-logout.html
5. Southwest has removed the much-loved Getaway Finder from its website: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ap-search.html
The problem may have been that this tool was useful for finding opportunities for hidden city travel options.
6. California residents who already have elite status on another airline but not on Southwest can get instant A-list status and earn renewal for 2018 after 6 one-way trips in 2017: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...s-carrier.html
7. Last week saw rampant speculation that Southwest would announce service to Hawaii starting sometime in 2018. No such announcement occurred. Relive the ups and downs starting at post 361 here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...l#post28815966
8. In August Southwest's system temporarily lost its ability to automatically check in A-list members. Affected members received points as compensation. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ons-today.html
9. Reservation confirmation emails no longer contain record locators for any travel funds you used in the purchase. Instead the email says "Tkls funds applied from Residual Travel Funds". You will need to keep your own records of where the funds came from and went to: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...s-applied.html
10. Southwest has reportedly stopped overbooking flights. That would put a crimp in some of our plans to earn voluntary denied boarding compensation. Is it really true? Time will tell. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...king-vdbs.html
In other recent news:
1. We finally have a new Wiki for Southwest Airlines at http://www.flyertalk.com/wiki/index...._Rapid_Rewards
It is comprehensive and fully up to date. Please consider helping keep it that way by adding and editing the content. Don't be shy about it.
2. Several extensions of Southwest's schedule have occurred this summer, as listed in the Wiki
http://www.flyertalk.com/wiki/index....ension_history
3. Southwest has begun experimenting with offering better value for points reservations on some very early and very late departures. 60 points per dollar is 17% better than 72 points per dollar. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...er-dollar.html
4. Southwest's website has been giving errors when attempting to Check in or Cancel reservations while logged in. Logout (but do not login again) and retry and it seems to work. Icognito mode browser windows also appear to work. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ou-logout.html
5. Southwest has removed the much-loved Getaway Finder from its website: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ap-search.html
The problem may have been that this tool was useful for finding opportunities for hidden city travel options.
6. California residents who already have elite status on another airline but not on Southwest can get instant A-list status and earn renewal for 2018 after 6 one-way trips in 2017: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...s-carrier.html
7. Last week saw rampant speculation that Southwest would announce service to Hawaii starting sometime in 2018. No such announcement occurred. Relive the ups and downs starting at post 361 here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...l#post28815966
8. In August Southwest's system temporarily lost its ability to automatically check in A-list members. Affected members received points as compensation. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...ons-today.html
9. Reservation confirmation emails no longer contain record locators for any travel funds you used in the purchase. Instead the email says "Tkls funds applied from Residual Travel Funds". You will need to keep your own records of where the funds came from and went to: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...s-applied.html
10. Southwest has reportedly stopped overbooking flights. That would put a crimp in some of our plans to earn voluntary denied boarding compensation. Is it really true? Time will tell. See the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...king-vdbs.html
Sep 26, 2017, 9:36 am
#134
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
$29 intra-California sale: 2 days only. T Th Sa flights
Travel T Th Sa through mid-Feb for $29 or 990 points. BUR-OAK is $27. Points price drops to 822 points for some very early or very late departures. Your $29 fare will earn you a whopping 83 points plus the all-important segment credit.
This deal is virtually unprecedented. Even 20 years ago a great sale was $29 plus taxes.
Join the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...22-points.html
Book by 9/27. Nonrefundable. Seats, travel days, and markets limited. 21-day advance purchase required. Blackout dates apply. Continental US travel valid 10/17/2017 – 2/14/2018 and international travel valid 10/17/2017 – 2/14/2018. Points bookings do not include government fees from $5.60 per one-way flight.
This deal is virtually unprecedented. Even 20 years ago a great sale was $29 plus taxes.
Join the discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...22-points.html
Book by 9/27. Nonrefundable. Seats, travel days, and markets limited. 21-day advance purchase required. Blackout dates apply. Continental US travel valid 10/17/2017 – 2/14/2018 and international travel valid 10/17/2017 – 2/14/2018. Points bookings do not include government fees from $5.60 per one-way flight.
Oct 10, 2017, 1:15 am
#135
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
3-day Fall sale: travel Oct 31 - Feb 14 except Fri Sun; Targeted instant CP Visa deal
Southwest has major sales twice a year. This is the second one. (The first was the anniversary sale in June.) See the discussion at $49 and up winter sale
Full terms are at https://www.southwest.com/html/promo..._addtl_details
Purchase from October 10 through October 12, 2017, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city.
Domestic travel valid October 31 through December 19, 2017, and January 3 through February 14, 2018. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico valid October 31 through December 7, 2017, and January 16 through March 1, 2018. International travel valid October 31 through December 13, 2017, and January 10 through March 2, 2018.
Domestic and San Juan, Puerto Rico travel blacked out November 21-22, November 25-27, 2017. Sale fares to international destinations blacked out November 21-22, 2017.
Domestic travel is not valid on Fridays and Sundays. Travel to Florida and Nevada and from Florida to Nevada is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Florida and Nevada and from Nevada to Florida is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico is valid Monday - Thursday. International travel is valid only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
In other news, Southwest has just sent an email to a relatively few very lucky California members with the most rewarding credit card offer I have ever seen. You earn a 12- to 14-month Companion Pass (through the end of 2018) with your very first purchase. You also earn 40,000 points after spending $2000 in the first 3 months.
"This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of any Rapid Rewards Credit Card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of any Rapid Rewards Credit Card who received a new cardmember bonus for a Rapid Rewards Credit Card within the last 24 months. Only the Rapid Rewards® Member who received this email/offer from Southwest Airlines® is eligible for this promotion. Offer is nontransferable."
See the discussion at
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sout...visa-card.html
Full terms are at https://www.southwest.com/html/promo..._addtl_details
Purchase from October 10 through October 12, 2017, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city.
Domestic travel valid October 31 through December 19, 2017, and January 3 through February 14, 2018. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico valid October 31 through December 7, 2017, and January 16 through March 1, 2018. International travel valid October 31 through December 13, 2017, and January 10 through March 2, 2018.
Domestic and San Juan, Puerto Rico travel blacked out November 21-22, November 25-27, 2017. Sale fares to international destinations blacked out November 21-22, 2017.
Domestic travel is not valid on Fridays and Sundays. Travel to Florida and Nevada and from Florida to Nevada is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Florida and Nevada and from Nevada to Florida is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico is valid Monday - Thursday. International travel is valid only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
In other news, Southwest has just sent an email to a relatively few very lucky California members with the most rewarding credit card offer I have ever seen. You earn a 12- to 14-month Companion Pass (through the end of 2018) with your very first purchase. You also earn 40,000 points after spending $2000 in the first 3 months.
"This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of any Rapid Rewards Credit Card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of any Rapid Rewards Credit Card who received a new cardmember bonus for a Rapid Rewards Credit Card within the last 24 months. Only the Rapid Rewards® Member who received this email/offer from Southwest Airlines® is eligible for this promotion. Offer is nontransferable."
See the discussion at
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sout...visa-card.html