Drink coupon alternatives for people who don't drink?

[iloveOC]

I received drink coupons in 2017 (good till 9/30/18) and 2018 (good till 8/31/19). However, I'm a recovering alcoholic with 10 yrs sobriety. While I would have loved the 8 free drinks 10 yrs ago, I'm shocked there is not an alternative. I called customer care and they can't substitute it for something else. Like free WIFI or anything...? Southwest stopped having peanuts due to peanut allergy, but nothing for alcohol? I am allergic to alcohol. I break out in handcuff! (only kidding, heard that in a meeting once and found it funny.)

Southwest…thanks for the thought, but is there anything else you can send me?

[TheMiddleSeat]

The free wifi idea has been suggested before as an alternative to free drinks, but so far Southwest doesn't seem to be too keen on offering the option. You're right, it is a bit surprising considering the number of people that aren't interested in drinking. Congrats on the sobriety!

--TheMiddleSeat

[LindseyD]

@iloveOC, 

Congratulations on your sobriety. As @TheMiddleSeat mentioned, we have received requests over the years for an alternative to drink coupons. While we don't have anything at this time, the feedback that Customers leave here on the Community is important and is being used as we have conversations internally about how to improve the Customer experience. Thank you for joining and for letting us hear your voice on the matter.

[denadahilig]

Thank you for replying, Lindsey.

The thing I loved about Southwest was your excellent customer-centered service. That's what I remind myself when I receive your drink coupons.

My first thought is ALWAYS that you're only grateful to some of us for flying Southwest. The non-drinkers or the have-to-be-clear-headed-at-our-destination folks... we matter a little less. There's no little bit of "thank you" just "we've received requests over the years" and "we don't have anything at this time." I guess if I didn't receive anything in the mail from you I wouldn't think this. But this is the message you're sending.

What's a drink worth? How many drinks = internet? 20 flights? Let's do math.

What if I could choose that option in my account? Drinks or WiFi.

Let me earn internet at the rate you set. Can you imagine the goodwill you'd create? I can!

You're so close to making this a win-win!

Are you in-in?

[catrue]

I have been hoping for the same alternative. Would be great for those of us who do not drink for whatever the reason is and still receive the loyalty perk as those who do.

Latest pack of coupons arrived today as I type this....

[RoadWarrior3556]

I agree with the posts as well. I travel for business and probably a good idea I don’t jump into a rental car intoxicated. I wonder if that presents any liability to Southwest since a bartender can be held liable for an accident. 

As A List preferred I enjoy WiFi, but seems strange Southest would not offer something like Vitamin Water. 

Just some thoughts to be tossed in the delete box. Can I sell my drink coupons and buy vitamin water at the airport??

[chgoflyer]

This idea is suggested often, but unfortunately I do not expect any changes to be implemented anytime soon.

The current internet connectivity product is already unreliable and a frequent source of complaint for customers, so I don't really see Southwest adding something that would reduce the already taxed available bandwidth and generate more customer complaints. Especially since it would also devalue the current A-List Preferred benefit. Providing that wi-fi connectivity has a significant cost attached as well, much more than the cost of a drink.

Back when Southwest offered Monster energy drinks, and later when they offered Vitamin water, drink coupons were not valid for either. Likely because the cost to Southwest of both these items was higher than the cost of an alcoholic drink. And possibly also to help avoid customer disappointment caused by availability and provisioning limitations. "Alcoholic drink" is a pretty big category, compared to a specific item that would need to be stocked in a limited amount of space. It's worth noting that neither of these items are even available for purchase now.

Because Southwest doesn't unbundle their products and services like most carriers, there aren't really other items that could be offered as a substitute. EarlyBird Check-in and Upgraded Boarding are both profit centers, which is why Southwest doesn't even accept RR points for them. And while the cost for providing either is essentially zero, giving them away would reduce income. 

Perhaps at some point, after Southwest begins to offer other sources of ancillary income (which are definitely coming), there will be a product that is the correct combination of low cost and limited exposure to risk. But honestly, I would be surprised. I think it's much more likely for Southwest to simply do away with drink coupons completely. 

[acsummers2002]

I completely agree.  I don't like alcohol, and I would certainly be grateful for an alternative.

[wmswa]

same, seems like we get two groups of $5 coupons yearly, and have for many years.  we miss out on the few hundred dollars of worth of customer benefits Southwest gives to drinkers.

[chgoflyer]

---

@wmswa wrote:

same, seems like we get two groups of $5 coupons yearly, and have for many years.  we miss out on the few hundred dollars of worth of customer benefits Southwest gives to drinkers.

FYI: The coupons (sent after each set of 10 paid flights) don't have a set monetary value, they are good for one "beer, wine or liquor" each. Southwest raised their drink prices last year, and drinks are now $6 or $7, depending on drink. So, you are actually losing out on slightly more perceived value.

I say perceived, because it's important to point out that the value is from a specific passenger's viewpoint. For some, the value of a free drink is actually a bit less, since Southwest is very generous with the application of free drinks. 

Most importantly, for Southwest, the value (cost) of a free drink is actually quite low.

Which is why they're so often given away for free. 😉 As we've discussed previously in this and other threads, unfortunately, I don't think there's any easy replacement for drink coupons that could be offered to non-drinkers. At least not until other ancillary "add on" products and services are introduced.

I understand your position, I just don't think it's going to happen anytime soon.