Hey, folks! We know that there is a lot of buzz out there regarding our announcement of the new Rapid Rewards program. We have been monitoring Customer feedback on all of our channels, and we know there is some concern about what the new program will mean for our Customers.
Rest assured, the new Rapid Rewards program is based on what our Customers have been asking us to change over the years, and it was very carefully designed by and responsive to an extensive set of Customer research and feedback from our Members. With more understanding of the benefits of the new program, we feel that our Customers will ultimately agree that the changes make the program better.
That said, we realize this is a big change for our Customers. That is why we have developed a web site specifically designed to help our Members understand the new program and what it will mean for them. We encourage you to visit www.newrapidrewards.com and see for yourself how the new program works. You’ll find a wealth of information, along with some videos, that will walk you through the changes. If you still have specific questions or concerns, please post below, and we’ll find an answer for you!
Comments
Really Southwest? I have flown your airline exclusively for the past 6 years . This morning I attempted to use my points to buy tickets figuring I could pay the rest on cash. No Way! In fact, if I had purchased the points to for the remainder of my round trip ticket I would have spent over $1000! So I managed to book each leg separately and saved about $500. Please fix this do that I don't have to make sure I'm not getting ripped off, something I never had to worry about before when flying Southwest.
I was a big fan of Southwest for fifteen years. Sorry, but that's over. It is evident that now the only folks Southwest is really interested in are the frequent business fliers who are willing to shell out more to get to the front of the line and to earn more "points." I'm a low-budget traveler, usually between 4 and 8 trips a year for meetings and family events, and most years I could count on an award ticket to make my Christmas trip affordable. Now it looks like I would be lucky to earn an award ticket once every three or four years. Not only that, but everything is getting more and more complicated. Including the website. It used to be easy to find information, but for some reason it feels like a stone wall now. Lots of hype, little friendliness.
I'm not saying i will never fly Southwest again, but it will certainly be far less frequent. It's kind of sad to lose a 'friend,' but Southwest has moved on to a different customer base and so it's time for me to move on too.
I just checked some flights and I couldn't believe the amount of points it was going to take. Most of my points come from my VISA card purchases.
A trip to New Yory would be 29,000 points
Before I would have to spend $16,000 dollars on my credit card to earn a round trip flight to anywhere in the US. Now I would have to spend $29,000 for the same ticket.
To purchase it with cash would be $484
Other credit cards offer 5% cash back and I can spend less money and be able to pay for the ticket with the cash back reward.
I HATE the new reward point system.
That's it for us! My husband and I still don't understand all the rules, but obviously,
we are on the loosing end of this one. We have been traveling with SWA since 1998, and also charging everything on our Rapid Rewards Visa card.
So long, SWA, we are moving to American Airlines!
I am very sad about the changes. It seems to reward the "rich"
Very confusing as well.
I was so happy with the old Rapid Rewards and used my SW credit card for everything.
Hard to get in contact with people ( RR phone no shut down now for "meetings" until l:30 pm! and it's only 10:49 my time here AM
Cant' reach it after business hours, can't reach it in normal biz hours.
Very frustrating.
Mary
I have to agree with everyone here! I used to fly SWA every week. Now that the new program started, I will not fly southwest even from SAN Diego to Sacramento. I would rather stop in LAX and earn my Delta SkyMiles . With Delta I earn 500 mile minimum per leg plus another 1.25 Bonus for being a Diamond Medallion, so from SAN to SMF I earn a minimum of 2500 miles each way. Thats 5000 miles round trip, which only takes me 5 trips to earn a potential free flight. With southwest, I earn 594 miles each way if my ticket costs 99 bucks, which is more realistically 50-80 bucks.... but it fluctuates! Lets face it.. its to difficult and I am confused even thinking about it. My flight pattern is very conducive to SWA.. SMF/OAK/LAS/PHX/PDX/SEA are my main airports.. but now DL has my full business. Sorry SWA, one more business pax RIP.
RE: New Rapid Reward Program.
My commitment to SWA helped build Southwest Airlines to what it is today. I was there when passengers walked into the airport, stuck a credit card in a slot and walked away with the ticket ready to board and fly.
I have been ok with the many, many changes thru the years and quietly embraced them all. But no more!!!
I worked my rear off lobbying to get rid of the Wright Amendment in Love Field and together we won the battle. I sent many letters to Senators, etc and made several phone calls to them.
I built a small family owned business around Southwest cities, securing new clients in those particular cities.
I even reached "Companion" status and "A" list many times.
But no more...
I will go first to American, United or Delta from now own as I an arrange it. You can see by looking at my account that I am not using Southwest very much any more.
Your Rapid Rewards Program stinks.
If you had someone besides the bean counters running the show, you'd go back to the simplicity of the old Rapid Rewards program. (Remember Coca Cola ???) You are no longer rewarding frequent fliers. You are are just rewarding large corporate entities who purchase seat 1-15
You have lost the respect from the very passengers who helped you build Southwest.
Reply will be appreciated.
But please don't start lecturing me with a "cut and paste comment" on the the advantages of the NEW RAPID REWARDS. I've read ---ALL--- the hype you have put out. Obviously the old guys who invented SWA are gone bye, bye.
Your Reward Program truly "stinks", and I will NEVER embrace it.
RDP, (DALLAS, TX)
The old program was so simple and I actually felt rewarded rather than shafted.
I've already cut back on my use of SW credit card.
I totally agree with the general customer consensus that the new RR sucks and is the reason many of us decided to leave other airlines and move to SWA. Ironically, today at the airport (phoenix sky harbor) US AIR ticket counter was FULL, while SWA was almost empty. A reversal of sorts to past times. Lastly, my wife has been comuting via SWA for 20 years, averaging over 48 weeks a year. And she has also enjoyed being one of the first companion pass holder/A-listers. That is until the 'Preferred A-list came out. She went from an A16-20 to an A40-50. And finally, neither of us has received any of your drink coupons with RR's since the 'new RR' came out.....
I currently have 10 credits on the old system. Apparently, I could buy 8000 miles (which brings me to required 16 credits on old system) for $200. However, I don’t know where this award ticket could take me what with black out dates, etc.(as apparently old rules apply for “Credits” rather than miles). I have not gotten any definitive answers on SW.
If my $200 expenditure only gets me from Phoenix-LA, why would I bother? Personally, I think SW has screwed its loyal customers, and the only thing they have going for them is the Bag Fee. From now on, I will check the lowest fare for where I am going. SW is no longer my carrier of choice.