01-10-2011
12:21 PM
3 Loves
Hello Frequent Flyers:
The revised numbering system brought early critism but turned out to be an improvement. SWA has modified the numbering system over the years and installed the grouping poles in the terminals. You still have to watch the clock for the exact minute for the 24 hour check in requirement unless of course you pay the extra $10.00. All for improving the system.
SWA is far different than the rest airlines - I fly SWA not so much for the free tickets but for the flexibility of cancelling and changing flights - they do not charge a penality for changing flights and you keep the original fare as a credit good for 12 months. Making a change on another airline will cost you at least $100.00 up front plus the cost of the new fare. Then of course - free bags!
Yes, you should still buy "wanna get away fares" just keep the savings for future flights.
Why? If you purchase "wanna get away" tickets the savings go into your pocket not SWA's. Use the money saved to purchase future tickets, when you purchase business select the additional fare is going straight to SWA's accounts for the investment income to offset the cost of the free tickets. They are not free to the customer, you are simply pre-paying for the future ticket.
All credit card, hotel, rental car and airline reward systems work this way to encourage you to spend more money now, the longer they have your money "working" the better investment return to pay for the perks. Another example of this is when you buy the tickets in advance verses the day before the flight - you will see the ticket price increase due to the loss of their investment income of the money working over time. Hotels give you the best price if you pay 100% up front when you make the reservation instead of paying upon departure.
All industries benefit greatly when they have your money "working" for them before the product is delivered. Probably the oldest example is the IRS since you are pre-paying your taxes all year long prior to the actual due date on April 15th. Insurance companies work on the investment income to pay claims that come "later". Southwest is simply getting your money now, to pay their claims (free flights) later.
Safe Travels Everyone!
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01-10-2011
02:30 AM
4 Loves
The system is simple - pay more, earn more, pay less, earn nothing. Free flights will now be reserved for those who purchase full fare and business select - do the math. I suspect this change is due to the AirTrans acquisition - sorry folks, the good ole days of free flights are over for 80% of us...
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