At first glance, I'm truly disappointed with the new program. It's going to take ALOT more points for me to get from the Northeast to South Florida. I travel 4-5 times a year to the same place. Rarely have luggage beyond a small carry on for my laptop. Points are earned primarily via the three Rapid Reward Visa cards we have: mine, my spouse, and a business card.
My travel dates are restricted to the busy school vacation weeks so even the cheapest seats are generally over $250 each way....even when I attempt to book flights mere seconds after SWA opens those particular dates up...the lower cost fares are taken.
I almost always use a Reward Ticket (unless I score a cheap ticket- if that's the case, then it's better to pay cash for the flight and save the free ticket towards a more expensive flight).
Now that I think about it: often times I have to double up from a Standard Reward to a Freedom Reward which essentially doubles my cost (in terms of points)- so maybe I should look at it from this perspective. 19,200 for one Standard Reward ticket, 38,400 for a Freedom Reward.
My typical fare (each way) is at least $260...but usually $300+. That means I need 26,000 points for a one way ticket (assuming the middle, Anytime category and $260 fare). The return is another 26,000 points....grand total: 52,000 points under the new program vs. 38,400 Freedom ticket under the old program: I need 13,600 add'l points under the new program!
Of course, I'll save 6,680 points if I'm able to book under the Wanna Get Away...and I'll definitely to try to book that way everytime from now on. But highly unlikely given the super busy travel dates I'm forced to travel on.
Obviously I need to do more research and seek out ways to maximize the new program to the fullest extent possible. For now though, it doesn't look good for me.
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