Comments on: Southwest Freedom Awards Permit Mileage Dilution

By: DensityDuck

DensityDuck — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:07:06 +0000

Yeah, I just found out about this myself. I’ve been singing Southwest’s praises–low-mileage FF plans! Quick rewards! Good service!

…except, now, not so much. Good luck flying within +/- two weeks of Christmas!

I’m pretty sure that the knob for “Standard Award” is going to be slowly turned down, and down, and down, until they can quietly do away with “Standard Award” altogether because of “low interest in the program”. (read: nobody ever redeemed them because they were impossible to use.)

By: Jennifer @ Money Saver 101

Jennifer @ Money Saver 101 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:48:17 +0000

I can understand both sides of this issue. First, the airlines aren’t doing well, and haven’t for a very long time. If they can get someone to pay to fly with them, they’re better off financially than allowing someone else to fly for free. On the other hand, they are alienating their frequent fliers and diminishing the value of their program.

I’m not sure I would’ve made this call if it were up to me. I think it was a bad move on Southwest’s part.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:36:34 +0000

Well the Freedom tickets have been around for a while, I just didn’t notice the fine print that said they may not always have Standard award seats available. There’s always the fine print…. ugh.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:35:53 +0000

The card should link up with your Rapid Rewards account and deposit the credits when you earn them. Once you hit 16, they automatically award you the flight voucher.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:33:22 +0000

Sad to hear but I guess inevitable in this economy. ALL reward programs are suffering somehow.

By: DjFarout

DjFarout — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:18:29 +0000

Here is a question…
Southwest has a credit card that earns miles(or some sort of token)… how do you convert that to Southwest credits?