Rapid Rewards Enhancements!
Nov 7, 2007, 4:04 pm
#121
Company Representative - Southwest Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Rapid Rewards--Official Southwest Airlines Spokesperson
Posts: 116
What happens if you're on a Business Select fare and you change your flight within 36 hours of its departure? Are you still guaranteed a priority A boarding pass? Under all circumstances? Only if there are fewer Business Select customers on the particular flight than spaces pre-allocated for them in the A group? Something else (i.e. you go to the back of the A line, but still get an A)?
If there are still Business Select fares available on the flight to which you want to change, you will get all the benefits associated with Business Select. If there are not Business Select Fares available, you have two options. You can “downgrade” to the “Business Fare” (formerly “Anytime Refundable”) and receive a refund of the fare difference but none of the other amenities associated with Business Select (priority boarding, free drink and extra Rapid Rewards credit), or you can keep the Business Select reservation. If you keep the reservation as Business Select, you would forfeit the priority boarding but still get the free drink and extra Rapid Rewards credit.
Nov 7, 2007, 4:10 pm
#122
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 140
This is about revenue, that's all
I've made my point about the new system from a customer perspective. As an A-lister, I might actually be moving backward in the boarding line now.
However, as I've looked at this from Southwest's perspective, it makes great sense for them. This is about generating new and higher revenues, plain and simple. And I say good for them if they can do it!
Fuel prices are through the roof and only climbing every week. That along with higher labor costs is squeezing the SW model that's made a profit for like 30 some years now.
They are having to adjust their model to get new and higher revenues and keep the company profitable. Leisure travelers are not going to pay higher fares, so that leaves SW going after more business travel.
I believe that SW has a great opportunity to get new business travel based upon the following...
1) Many business travellers love the frequent flights on major business routes (think DAL-HOU, CHI-STL, PHX-LAX, etc.)
2) All business travellers love the no change fee policy of Southwest
3) Small business folks love the affordable fares (they can't write off legacy full-fare to big customer)
4) What has been missing is ability to get a decent seat without standing in line an hour before flight (thus losing an hour of productivity)
This new system with letter/number boarding and guaranteed front of A removes that final barrier for many business customers. It will indeed generate heavy revenue for SW, and I think will exceed their $100 million estimate. That helps them maintain profitability in the new environment.
However, as I've looked at this from Southwest's perspective, it makes great sense for them. This is about generating new and higher revenues, plain and simple. And I say good for them if they can do it!
Fuel prices are through the roof and only climbing every week. That along with higher labor costs is squeezing the SW model that's made a profit for like 30 some years now.
They are having to adjust their model to get new and higher revenues and keep the company profitable. Leisure travelers are not going to pay higher fares, so that leaves SW going after more business travel.
I believe that SW has a great opportunity to get new business travel based upon the following...
1) Many business travellers love the frequent flights on major business routes (think DAL-HOU, CHI-STL, PHX-LAX, etc.)
2) All business travellers love the no change fee policy of Southwest
3) Small business folks love the affordable fares (they can't write off legacy full-fare to big customer)
4) What has been missing is ability to get a decent seat without standing in line an hour before flight (thus losing an hour of productivity)
This new system with letter/number boarding and guaranteed front of A removes that final barrier for many business customers. It will indeed generate heavy revenue for SW, and I think will exceed their $100 million estimate. That helps them maintain profitability in the new environment.
Nov 7, 2007, 4:17 pm
#123
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Since I'm not an A lister yet, we'll see what effect this has this weekend on my boarding sequence number. I'm betting it's not good.
I'll have to rethink the agony of going to BWI and paying a higher fare for a non-stop on WN vs flying out of DCA or IAD and making a connection. AA gets my business to LA next week out of IAD on the non-stop.... for less money than WN's connection out of BWI or IAD.
I'll have to rethink the agony of going to BWI and paying a higher fare for a non-stop on WN vs flying out of DCA or IAD and making a connection. AA gets my business to LA next week out of IAD on the non-stop.... for less money than WN's connection out of BWI or IAD.
Nov 7, 2007, 4:18 pm
#124
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: OH & NV
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, WN CP, Latin Pass Bonus
Posts: 3,707
Much Ado about Nothing
Sure it would be nice to be one of the first 5 boarded to get that Exit Row.
But let's face it, not many here in the old days stood in line for 45 minutes to get that. In fact the general accepted practice was to keep seated and board near the end of the A line -- and get a seat that one thought would have an open middle --- usually behind the Exit Rows somewhere.
So if you board # 10 or #50, still have about the same selection as in the past.
For a very short time (past week or so except for SAT), if you had A-1-5, you could board first and not wait in line. That was great, but only an intermediate step to the new process.
I do not think the new process is better for ME, but not real upset with it. I think I am A-1 and will board, usually, one of first 20 (I think). Just checked - about 50 OW segments in past 12 months.
Lots of questions still.... we will see.
But let's face it, not many here in the old days stood in line for 45 minutes to get that. In fact the general accepted practice was to keep seated and board near the end of the A line -- and get a seat that one thought would have an open middle --- usually behind the Exit Rows somewhere.
So if you board # 10 or #50, still have about the same selection as in the past.
For a very short time (past week or so except for SAT), if you had A-1-5, you could board first and not wait in line. That was great, but only an intermediate step to the new process.
I do not think the new process is better for ME, but not real upset with it. I think I am A-1 and will board, usually, one of first 20 (I think). Just checked - about 50 OW segments in past 12 months.
Lots of questions still.... we will see.
Last edited by SAPMAN; Nov 7, 2007 at 4:21 pm Reason: update
Nov 7, 2007, 4:21 pm
#125
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,740
"Two (2) Rapid Rewards Standard Awards or Freedom Awards are valid for one roundtrip to any destination ATA Airlines serves in Hawaii."
It doesn't say two RR or one Freedom Award.
As I said earlier...gotta wonder how availability looks [for a--ahem, two--standard RR(s)] for Hawaii now.
Edited to add: upon reading the Terms and Conditions more closely, I see that seat restrictions apply for codeshare and ATA travel even if you are using a Freedom Award!
Last edited by uncertaintraveler; Nov 7, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Nov 7, 2007, 4:33 pm
#126
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: 21,625
There is no advantage to using Freedom Awards on ATA metal. Don't convert 2 standard awards for that purpose.
Nov 7, 2007, 5:39 pm
#127
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
Maybe I'm reading the RR Terms and Conditions wrong, but they provide:
"Two (2) Rapid Rewards Standard Awards or Freedom Awards are valid for one roundtrip to any destination ATA Airlines serves in Hawaii."
It doesn't say two RR or one Freedom Award.
As I said earlier...gotta wonder how availability looks [for a--ahem, two--standard RR(s)] for Hawaii now.
Edited to add: upon reading the Terms and Conditions more closely, I see that seat restrictions apply for codeshare and ATA travel even if you are using a Freedom Award!
"Two (2) Rapid Rewards Standard Awards or Freedom Awards are valid for one roundtrip to any destination ATA Airlines serves in Hawaii."
It doesn't say two RR or one Freedom Award.
As I said earlier...gotta wonder how availability looks [for a--ahem, two--standard RR(s)] for Hawaii now.
Edited to add: upon reading the Terms and Conditions more closely, I see that seat restrictions apply for codeshare and ATA travel even if you are using a Freedom Award!
Nov 7, 2007, 5:40 pm
#128
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
Nov 7, 2007, 5:46 pm
#129
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: 21,625
It takes 2 standard awards or two Freedom awards to go to Hawaii. Capacity controls apply either way. In summary: when you spend your Freedom awards on ATA flights, they spend the same as standard awards. You are paying twice as much as you need to.
Using Freedom Awards on ATA is possible, but no FTer would be caught dead doing it.
Using Freedom Awards on ATA is possible, but no FTer would be caught dead doing it.
Nov 7, 2007, 5:58 pm
#130
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
It takes 2 standard awards or two Freedom awards to go to Hawaii. Capacity controls apply either way. In summary: when you spend your Freedom awards on ATA flights, they spend the same as standard awards. You are paying twice as much as you need to.
Using Freedom Awards on ATA is possible, but no FTer would be caught dead doing it.
Using Freedom Awards on ATA is possible, but no FTer would be caught dead doing it.
"One (1) Rapid Rewards Standard Award or Freedom Award is valid for one roundtrip to any city Southwest Airlines or ATA Airlines serves in the continental U.S. Two (2) Rapid Rewards Standard Awards or Freedom Awards are valid for one roundtrip to any destination ATA Airlines serves in Hawaii. All Award Travel on codeshare (service involving a Southwest and ATA Airlines flight) or ATA Airlines-only service will be subject to seat restrictions whether you are traveling on a Standard Award or a Freedom Award."
With that further context I agree that you could spend 64 credits to travel to Hawaii if you wanted, but it does not require 64 credits, you are just allowed to spend that many if you want to, but you can also get the exact same flights for just 32 credits.
Nov 7, 2007, 7:00 pm
#131
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: 21,625
An unintended consequence
Here's an excerpt of something I just posted over at blogsouthwest.com:
The new system will encourage the pre-boarding stick (cane) and other feigned disabilities. Southwest already has a reputation as the greatest healer outside Lourdes, with disabled passengers magically able to sprint off the plane after it lands. The new system will have Southwest rocketing to the top of the world’s healing centers. And Southwest will not be able to a thing about it. All that’s required is complete shamelessness on the part of the passenger. You read it here first. Where families in Orlando was the focus of pre-boarding abuse before, it will now be seniors in Ft. Lauderdale.
If you decide to fake a disability, don’t brag about it to your fellow passengers and don’t think that the gate agents don’t know EXACTLY what you’re doing. They’ve seen it all.
The new system will encourage the pre-boarding stick (cane) and other feigned disabilities. Southwest already has a reputation as the greatest healer outside Lourdes, with disabled passengers magically able to sprint off the plane after it lands. The new system will have Southwest rocketing to the top of the world’s healing centers. And Southwest will not be able to a thing about it. All that’s required is complete shamelessness on the part of the passenger. You read it here first. Where families in Orlando was the focus of pre-boarding abuse before, it will now be seniors in Ft. Lauderdale.
If you decide to fake a disability, don’t brag about it to your fellow passengers and don’t think that the gate agents don’t know EXACTLY what you’re doing. They’ve seen it all.
Nov 7, 2007, 7:20 pm
#132
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: swa
Posts: 48
Sorry WN. This is becoming to complicating as I fly on business and then book a ticket for my wife many times. If we are split up in boarding, my wife will get upset. I no longer will fly WN as my first choice. It will be easier to book seats on another airline.
Nov 7, 2007, 7:30 pm
#133
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,463
I think I have a question that has not been answered ( but gosh it was hard to scroll through over a hundred responses and take it all in ). What if your flights are clustered in certain months. I now achieve A-list. I am granted it for 1 year. At some point over the next couple of months I drop below 32 for a running year, but I still have A-list because it goes for 1 year. My 1 year is up and I currently do not have 32 in the past running year. But, I did have 32 at some points over the last year ( it goes up, it goes down) Does every time I cross that 32 barrier again push my status forward another year?
Did anything I said above make any sense? I know what I am trying to ask, I am just not sure I asked it.
Did anything I said above make any sense? I know what I am trying to ask, I am just not sure I asked it.
Nov 7, 2007, 7:33 pm
#134
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,463
Here's an excerpt of something I just posted over at blogsouthwest.com:
The new system will encourage the pre-boarding stick (cane) and other feigned disabilities. Southwest already has a reputation as the greatest healer outside Lourdes, with disabled passengers magically able to sprint off the plane after it lands. The new system will have Southwest rocketing to the top of the world’s healing centers. And Southwest will not be able to a thing about it. All that’s required is complete shamelessness on the part of the passenger. You read it here first. Where families in Orlando was the focus of pre-boarding abuse before, it will now be seniors in Ft. Lauderdale.
If you decide to fake a disability, don’t brag about it to your fellow passengers and don’t think that the gate agents don’t know EXACTLY what you’re doing. They’ve seen it all.
The new system will encourage the pre-boarding stick (cane) and other feigned disabilities. Southwest already has a reputation as the greatest healer outside Lourdes, with disabled passengers magically able to sprint off the plane after it lands. The new system will have Southwest rocketing to the top of the world’s healing centers. And Southwest will not be able to a thing about it. All that’s required is complete shamelessness on the part of the passenger. You read it here first. Where families in Orlando was the focus of pre-boarding abuse before, it will now be seniors in Ft. Lauderdale.
If you decide to fake a disability, don’t brag about it to your fellow passengers and don’t think that the gate agents don’t know EXACTLY what you’re doing. They’ve seen it all.
That is flat out scary. I think you are dead on the money with this thought.
Nov 7, 2007, 7:37 pm
#135
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: WN A-list Preferred and CP, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, RIP Kimpton
Posts: 853
Here's an excerpt of something I just posted over at blogsouthwest.com:
The new system will encourage the pre-boarding stick (cane) and other feigned disabilities. Southwest already has a reputation as the greatest healer outside Lourdes, with disabled passengers magically able to sprint off the plane after it lands. The new system will have Southwest rocketing to the top of the world’s healing centers. And Southwest will not be able to a thing about it. All that’s required is complete shamelessness on the part of the passenger. You read it here first. Where families in Orlando was the focus of pre-boarding abuse before, it will now be seniors in Ft. Lauderdale.
If you decide to fake a disability, don’t brag about it to your fellow passengers and don’t think that the gate agents don’t know EXACTLY what you’re doing. They’ve seen it all.
The new system will encourage the pre-boarding stick (cane) and other feigned disabilities. Southwest already has a reputation as the greatest healer outside Lourdes, with disabled passengers magically able to sprint off the plane after it lands. The new system will have Southwest rocketing to the top of the world’s healing centers. And Southwest will not be able to a thing about it. All that’s required is complete shamelessness on the part of the passenger. You read it here first. Where families in Orlando was the focus of pre-boarding abuse before, it will now be seniors in Ft. Lauderdale.
If you decide to fake a disability, don’t brag about it to your fellow passengers and don’t think that the gate agents don’t know EXACTLY what you’re doing. They’ve seen it all.
