Rapid Rewards Enhancements!
Nov 7, 2007, 2:06 pm
#92
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,740
Nov 7, 2007, 2:06 pm
#93
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: Whoever Has the Best Bonus
Posts: 5,183
Nov 7, 2007, 2:07 pm
#94
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: 21,622
Nov 7, 2007, 2:09 pm
#95
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: 21,622
Let's not rehash that one in this thread. The pros and cons of priority boarding vs. assigned seating are well known to everyone here. No single system works best for everyone.
Nov 7, 2007, 2:11 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,249
That certainly would solve the problem of WN's most valuable travelers -- A-Listers and Business Select purchasers -- losing the benefit of priority boarding when they book late or make same-day flight changes, as many such customers inevitably do.
Nov 7, 2007, 2:14 pm
#97
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St Petersburg, FL, USA
Posts: 2,253
If the new "Freedom" awards cause a big reduction in "regular" award availability, then that incremental credit is worth $8 to $10.
In no instance is a Southwest award worth $640. Ever.
Nov 7, 2007, 2:24 pm
#98
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
Remember the good old days when legacy miles were worth 1.5 to 2.0 cents? They are now worth half of that due to the additional restrictions.
If the new "Freedom" awards cause a big reduction in "regular" award availability, then that incremental credit is worth $8 to $10.
In no instance is a Southwest award worth $640. Ever.
If the new "Freedom" awards cause a big reduction in "regular" award availability, then that incremental credit is worth $8 to $10.
In no instance is a Southwest award worth $640. Ever.
Nov 7, 2007, 2:36 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
That would be me, with 25 segments and lots of bonus credits . 
Until I read that I had a pang of regret for not taking another planned MR in October. But my credits tend to be clustered in a few months, so I would be bounced out in December or February anyways.
The new A-list really favors those who fly at least once a month, every month (or rather, 1.25x per month
).
to this atrocious spin, although the change itself offers a marginally better improvement over the status quo. Freedom Awards are not just twice as expensive as a non-capacity controlled award used to be, they are really four times as expensive when you factor in the elimination of the standard double credit.
Agreed. In effect, RR have now been devalued by 50% over the past 2 years (or 75% if you count the 2x bonus for online booking. The "freedom" awards are essentially equal to the old RR. Of course, many FTers had requested that WN create this award, so I guess we can't complain now that mgmt has obliged.
I would have to agree. I think WN management is vastly overestimating the effect on business revenue and underestimating the loss of leisure revenue, but only time will tell.
People who fly enough to be A-listers (or who pay full fare) already know how to work the system for the A boarding card. While this may enhance their experience slightly, it won't increase revenues. Many already reserve months in advance for those weekly commutes, and won't be buying up to BS fares just for a free drink.
People who pay higher fares on legacy carriers do so because they value the benefits, namely upgrades to F, priority security lines and international awards. WN does not and will not offer any of these perks, so they are unlikely to change horses just for a free drink and a better shot at a nice coach seat. The 2x RR for transcons isn't going to enhance revenues either as most frequent business travelers get more legroom and better service from the competition.
Occasional leisure travelers such as myself are now going to take a hard look at the competition, particularly when the price is equivalent. If the choice is a middle seat on WN vs. E+ on UA, plus a more convenient airport, I'll be abandoning ship when my CP expires.
Rare leisure travelers get treated badly by most carriers, so WN will just be matching the LCD. It remains to be seen whether the cancellation of pre-boarding privileges will cause them to bolt.
Personally I am really curious as to what # I will receive when I checkin at the 24-hour mark. As a practical matter it won't make a big difference to me since I usually travel with my infant and will be boarding at the end of the A group, which is what I normally do anyway.
But I think we should start a thread based on people's experiences under the new system.
Darn... I just checked. I'm 5 segments short of 32 one-way segments for the last year, on a rolling 12-month basis.
A new concept is born: Mileage run to get yourself over the 32 one-way segment threshold on a rolling 12-month basis.
The rolling 12-month concept is interesting if you have a cluster of travel approximately one year ago. This has a different effect than someone who is trying to make Silver/Gold/Plat status on a legacy airline.
A new concept is born: Mileage run to get yourself over the 32 one-way segment threshold on a rolling 12-month basis.
The rolling 12-month concept is interesting if you have a cluster of travel approximately one year ago. This has a different effect than someone who is trying to make Silver/Gold/Plat status on a legacy airline.
The new A-list really favors those who fly at least once a month, every month (or rather, 1.25x per month
). to this atrocious spin, although the change itself offers a marginally better improvement over the status quo. Freedom Awards are not just twice as expensive as a non-capacity controlled award used to be, they are really four times as expensive when you factor in the elimination of the standard double credit.People who fly enough to be A-listers (or who pay full fare) already know how to work the system for the A boarding card. While this may enhance their experience slightly, it won't increase revenues. Many already reserve months in advance for those weekly commutes, and won't be buying up to BS fares just for a free drink.
People who pay higher fares on legacy carriers do so because they value the benefits, namely upgrades to F, priority security lines and international awards. WN does not and will not offer any of these perks, so they are unlikely to change horses just for a free drink and a better shot at a nice coach seat. The 2x RR for transcons isn't going to enhance revenues either as most frequent business travelers get more legroom and better service from the competition.
Occasional leisure travelers such as myself are now going to take a hard look at the competition, particularly when the price is equivalent. If the choice is a middle seat on WN vs. E+ on UA, plus a more convenient airport, I'll be abandoning ship when my CP expires.
Rare leisure travelers get treated badly by most carriers, so WN will just be matching the LCD. It remains to be seen whether the cancellation of pre-boarding privileges will cause them to bolt.
Personally I am really curious as to what # I will receive when I checkin at the 24-hour mark. As a practical matter it won't make a big difference to me since I usually travel with my infant and will be boarding at the end of the A group, which is what I normally do anyway.
But I think we should start a thread based on people's experiences under the new system.
Last edited by Boraxo; Nov 7, 2007 at 2:37 pm Reason: fix
Nov 7, 2007, 2:36 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,194
I've also used my RR card successfully for 100% of my flights from PIT and flights through LAS Terminal B.
Nov 7, 2007, 2:37 pm
#101
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
BS customers get boarding priority and maximum flexibility. Given those two benefits, in the event of a flight change I would expect the amount and sequence of As to be irrelevant. Such a customer should be told to get in line after the last person already in line with a BS BP (whatever that's going to look like, but it will have the drink coupon attached).
Nov 7, 2007, 2:44 pm
#102
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,740
In effect, RR have now been devalued by 50% over the past 2 years (or 75% if you count the 2x bonus for online booking. The "freedom" awards are essentially equal to the old RR. Of course, many FTers had requested that WN create this award, so I guess we can't complain now that mgmt has obliged.
From the RR terms and conditions page:
Two (2) Rapid Rewards Standard Awards or Freedom Awards are valid for one roundtrip to any destination ATA Airlines serves in Hawaii.
Nov 7, 2007, 2:46 pm
#103
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
People who pay higher fares on legacy carriers do so because they value the benefits, namely upgrades to F, priority security lines and international awards. WN does not and will not offer any of these perks, so they are unlikely to change horses just for a free drink and a better shot at a nice coach seat. The 2x RR for transcons isn't going to enhance revenues either as most frequent business travelers get more legroom and better service from the competition.
\.
\.
Or they live in cities where SW doesn't fly.... like Atlanta!
Nov 7, 2007, 2:48 pm
#104
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ELP & TPA
Programs: WN CP; CO plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 34
Big Trouble
Afraid not - from rule 8 of the Rapid Rewards A-List Membership Rules and Regulations page:
Quote:
For A-List Members who are also Companion Pass Holders, reserved boarding privileges will not be provided for the Member’s designated Companion unless he/she also is an A-List Member.
They certainly didn't think this one through. I predict GA's will use good judgment and let your CP board with you until this particular slap to the SWA road warriors is changed in the rules and regulations.
Quote:
For A-List Members who are also Companion Pass Holders, reserved boarding privileges will not be provided for the Member’s designated Companion unless he/she also is an A-List Member.
They certainly didn't think this one through. I predict GA's will use good judgment and let your CP board with you until this particular slap to the SWA road warriors is changed in the rules and regulations.
This is going to be a big problem as I would imagine that virtually all A-Listers are also CP. This means that our companions travel as CP companions most of the time and thus will not be able to earn A-List status on their own. My spouse will not be happy about having to board seperately at the end of the line. And we all know how much we love those people who try to "save" seats after they have boarded. I hope that my marriage survives this one!!
Nov 7, 2007, 2:56 pm
#105
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St Petersburg, FL, USA
Posts: 2,253
I value (value = the price at which below I will pay cash and above I will use an award) the awards at about $225-250, but that's just me. I'm used to getting cheap fares.
Two (2) Rapid Rewards Standard Awards or Freedom Awards are valid for one roundtrip to any destination ATA Airlines serves in Hawaii.
Last edited by Tino; Nov 7, 2007 at 3:02 pm Reason: wasn't done ranting