The hits keep coming for WN loyalists...
Southwest Airlines will charge to check bags for the first time, launch basic economy tickets
- Thread starter NoleATL
- Start date
that sucks, I don’t fly SW often though
Alligent is our main economy airline and they buckle and dime you already
Alligent is our main economy airline and they buckle and dime you already
That's great. The boarding process will be an even greater sh*tshow.
Southwest, in addition, will change the way customers earn Rapid Rewards: Customers will earn more of the frequent flyer miles depending on how much they pay. Redemption rates will vary depending on flight demand, a dynamic pricing model competitors use.
This has always been the case (and flyers earn points, not miles).
Southwest, in addition, will change the way customers earn Rapid Rewards: Customers will earn more of the frequent flyer miles depending on how much they pay. Redemption rates will vary depending on flight demand, a dynamic pricing model competitors use.
This has always been the case (and flyers earn points, not miles).
They just decreased how many points you get at the fare levels... other than the top level fare.
Just get a credit card in a carriers name which typically gets you two bags per person as long as the card holder makes the flight reservation.
I’ve got a Delta amex so no bag charge at two per person and I get upgrades to either business, used to be comfort or first class as a gold level member. Trying to get to platinum with my business and personal traveling as well as made purchases on the amex.
I’ve got a Delta amex so no bag charge at two per person and I get upgrades to either business, used to be comfort or first class as a gold level member. Trying to get to platinum with my business and personal traveling as well as made purchases on the amex.
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You'll get one free checked bag as a SW credit card holder. I'm an A-List member, and will also get one free bag.
You think they’d take better care of their loyalty members. They are always a secondary provider to me due to their flight schedule sucking after Covid. Can’t fly anywhere in a short amount of time now and have to fly into STL instead of midway.
Southwest has a hub in Nashville, so I can almost always get a direct flight to anywhere. We'll see how the changes go, I may start looking elsewhere.
Or the countries lack of confidence in the economy, this is what you get. They want to survive to fight another day.
They did........just not with those members who regularly book basic/economy. Basic gets you to your destination.
If you have expectations beyond "arrival", you may need to alter them and just accept the current business model.
I saw the writing on the wall and made the jump to Delta when they offered a status match in December. Not regretting that decision at all. I still have 60,000 SW points I'll need to burn somewhere. Guess I'll keep the credit card so I can get one free bag for my final journey with SW.
Interesting. In checking fares lately, SW is higher than Delta for main seating and their business class pricing is at or higher than comfort/business for Delta and they offer nothing more for the cost so that’s why I used to take the less expensive option. Then get the early bird option so I get the seat I want early in the boarding process.
I guess I’ll be flying Delta a little more unless SW has a quick flight to where I need to go.
Herb Kelleher is rolling over in his grave. This management team is an abomination.
I"ve been meaning to ask how DL has been working out for you... Living in Atlanta DL is amazing except for the fares but we do get a very good travel experience being Diamond and Platinum (100% spend/leisure travel)with DL Reserve Card.
From a work perspective this will keep me from booking Southwest. They have zero advantage now and they don’t codeshare with anyone so a cancellation is a nightmare. I don’t book basic economy ever because no changes are allowed and no one remembers that you told them that when they want to make a change. I can’t imagine this will work out well for them.
if the company goes bankrupt i take it that accumulated rapid rewards points are worth zero?
is there a way to monetize points without actually buying flights?
Yes, lots of ways to use your RR points besides flying.
How to Redeem Points | Rapid Rewards | Southwest Airlines
Learn how to redeem your Southwest Rapid Rewards points and use them for booking flights, merchandise, hotels, gift cards, and more!
Plenty of places to go. Get on it before it's too late.i have so many points and nowhere to go
Which reminds me, now that the wife and I are moving to Iowa in May, we still need to book another trip through you. Ill email you what we are thinking.
We still think the last trip you booked us was our best so far.
So far, so good. I have four roundtrips under my belt this year. Upgrades seem to happen a lot flying out of MCO. Only one flight was delayed in Raleigh waiting for a delayed flight to get there from ATL, then we had to de-ice making the delay even longer, but we took off! I was sure that flight was going to get canceled, but Delta came through. I really like the Embraer 175 planes. No seatback entertainment, but no middle seats either.
Upgrades are HARD out of Atlanta. Mostly get them to smaller/less popular destinations like Omaha etc... For flights to Key West, under my better half's Diamond level, not uncommon to be 6 or 7 on the list for 1 or zero seats lol. We do have good luck with the Regional Upgrades (Platinum or Diamond) and also the companion pass for the Reserve Card (used for 1st class) if we book decently ahead of time. So maybe get the Reserve and try to push all of your spending through that and if you do take vacations use Delta Vacations to book as that really helps with MQDs.
Edit: I think the Embraer is what we flew from SLC to Palm Springs in first class and it was way more comfortable than DL typical 1st class seat.
I don't think this will work well for them in Atlanta at all... fares are similar to Delta so everything you mention is more of an equalizer or in the case of no code shares, its a serious negative... and, DL has by far the better product.
Airline bookings are way down. It’s going to be a world of hurt for all airlines soon, especially the big 3 who have propped up their airlines strictly from credit card profits. They became essentially banks and the bank is about to run dry. There will be a whirlwind of consolidation soon.
I believe Delta was only profitable because of their Amex relationship...
I think MCO is good for upgrades because the majority of travelers are vacationers who don't have status.
The Embraer has a few first class seats on the port side that have no seatmates at all! Just you and the flight attendant. That's balling. Love those little jets.
I'm not seeing that on flights from MCO to RDU and back. Completely sold out both ways on my most-recent round trip.
Ouch... this op-ed is brutal!
www.dallasobserver.com
An Open Letter to the Traitors Who Ruined Southwest Airlines
Dallas’ favorite airline just ditched the best perk it had going. Herb Kelleher would have never stood for this.
I had the great misfortune of working for a company purchased by Black Stone, Inc when they were a mere "mergers and acquisitions" company and they brought in Rakesh Gangwal as CEO/Hatchet Man. I was in lowly middle management at the time and tasked with firing everyone and sending their jobs to India and bringing Indian nationals to take the jobs of Americans who were performing very well. It took minimum of 2 people to do the job of 1 American, experienced employee that was fired. Rakesh is the new and current Chairman for Southwest. Bad days are ahead for anyone that works at Southwest.Ouch... this op-ed is brutal!
An Open Letter to the Traitors Who Ruined Southwest Airlines
Dallas’ favorite airline just ditched the best perk it had going. Herb Kelleher would have never stood for this.
