Southwest Guys,
I've been a customer since 1998. I attempted to book our annual March flight to Salt Lake last week and discovered the "benefits" of the new Rapid Reward program. You've done a terrific job here, selling out your loyal customers in order to pander to business customers at higher fares.
I discovered that except for 2 and a half rows of seats on your planes, my rapid rewards award was useless but I could turn it into a "freedom reward" for twice the number of rapid reward trips ! Basically THIS CUTS MY RAPID REWARD BENEFIT IN HALF AND CUTS IN HALF THE VALUE OF MY SOUTHWEST VISA CARD BENEFITS !! While you were at it, you should have cut the value of your drink coupons in half as well, from 3 to six required for a drink.
What's the value of that on your books - basically eliminating half the liability of your rapid reward award travel ? I'd like to see that accounting entry !
So here's what I'm going to do in response to your program changes.
1. I'm cutting my loyalty to SW to zero, treating you like any other airline, where I have plenty of miles, can get assigned seating in premium economy, and upgrade possibilities. I will go to great lengths not to fly Southwest.
2. Directing my admin assistant NOT to book my business travel on Southwest - might as well give my business to the other airlines
3. Informing Chase that I'm dropping my SW Visa, and use my bank-issued credit card instead.
Happy Holidays yourself !
One PO'd customer !
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