03-15-2011
01:27 AM
3 Loves
I am a companion fare owner, currently 8 free tickets accrued from the old program. I also have over 160,000 miles on another airline. It is accurate to say that I am the type of program that the new program is targetted at. Unfortunately, somebody misread what I want. I want the simplicity and pragmatic approach that I am used to with SWA and is a part of SWAs brand promise. This program is not that. It is complicated and takes more time than the benefi that I receivet. I used to be able to predict when I would get a SWA award and how I could spend it. I can no longer do that and certainly will not be planning family vacations around it. Plus, the left over tickets that are still left in my account from the previous program are useless as I cannot find any seats available at reasonable times for months in advance! They are in my account, but they are useless. How is this not a take away?
I am voting with my pocket book and have already shifted 1/2 of my flights to another major airline. For the first two weeks of March that has cost SWA $800.00.
On a positive note - the new RR call line is great and has been a lifesaver during this transition. I do feel sorry for the agents however as they try and convince and educate me about why the new program is better for me. Unfortunately, the new program speaks for itself.
... View more
03-13-2011
01:25 AM
5 Loves
I am a companion fare rapid rewards member with 8 accrued tickets from the old program and 160,000 miles on another major airline. I am the type of flyer that SW has targetted for the new program. That said, I am dissappointed with the new program. It was not a slump, it was failure to make the cut. I have already changed my flying behavior on domestic flights to split my time between SWA and another major airline that has real business flyer benefits benefits such as wifi, more direct flights and business lounges. That has cost SWA $800 this month alone. This will continue. The old program was simple and predictable, much like SWA's brand promise. That is no longer the case. Also, while I was happy to hear that I did not lose my previous awards, there are little to no spaces availalbe 4-5 months out, they are worthless!
On a positive note - the new RR phone option is great - and has been a lifesaver during the implementation of the new program. However, I feel for the agents who valiantly tried to convince me how good the new program is. Unfortunately, the new program speaks for itself.
... View more
03-12-2011
10:00 PM
2 Loves
I am a companion fare rapid rewards member with 8 accrued tickets from the old program and 160,000 miles on another major airline. I am the type of flyer that SW has targetted for the new program. That said, I am dissappointed with the new program. It was not a slump, it was failure to make the cut. I have already changed my flying behavior on domestic flights to split my time between SWA and another major airline that has real business flyer benefits benefits such as wifi, more direct flights and business lounges. That has cost SWA $800 this month alone. This will continue. The old program was simple and predictable, much like SWA's brand promise. That is no longer the case. Also, while I was happy to hear that I did not lose my previous awards, there are little to no spaces availalbe 4-5 months out, they are worthless!
On a positive note - the new RR phone option is great - and has been a lifesaver during the implementation of the new program. However, I feel for the agents who valiantly tried to convince me how good the new program is. Unfortunately, the new program speaks for itself.
... View more
