I just found out about the change regarding Monster drinks on a flight this afternoon, and let me register my displeasure in the strongest possible manner. I have been a frequent flier on Southwest since the Company Club days. I've even been served peanuts by Herb in an Elvis suit. Why you would make me pay for a $3 Monster but give me a free $5 cocktail makes no sense at all. Even Southwest has the occasional brain cramp, and this was clearly such an instance.
The economics of this decision seem misplaced as well. The free drink coupon is part of the draw for Business Select (2 drink coupons if I was willing to have a connecting flight). Since I am already A-listed, I doubt I will ever purchase Business Select again until this policy changes (the extra credit isn't worth it without the Monster drink). There goes an average of $22 in revenue each week.
For a company that regularly is smarter than the hub and spoke carriers, this was a surprisingly poor decision. Please reconsider, particularly for the benefit of those of us who rely on Southwest to get us to our destination energized rather than cocktailed.
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