I'm trying to calculate if the new Rewards Program is comparable to the old program but I think I may not understand it completely as my calculations are not adding up properly.
Currently I purchase a round trip each month for $400 on the Wanna Get Away plan using my RR Credit Card (no hotel or car rental needed). If I understand it correctly, that means I receive 800 points (for the credit card) and 2 credits (for the round trip) each month. Every 3 months I receive 2 credits (2400 points) from the credit card, and 6 credits for the three round trips for a total of 8 credits. Therefore I would need to fly for 6 months to receive 16 credits and then a free round trip.
If I read the new plan correctly, with the same monthly $400 flights I would receive 800 points with the card, and 2400 points (6 x $400) for the purchase for a total of 3200 points a month. To purchase a $400 flight I need 24,000 points (60 x $400) so it would take 7.5 months to earn a free round trip.
Currently I don't understand how this new Rapids Reward is "better than ever" as I believe am getting fewer points for the same trips, it will take 25% longer to get a new flight, not to mention it costs more points to fly free if rates increase seasonally. Will I be earning points elsewhere that I am forgetting? Currently, I do purchases on the credit card (but not the hotels/cars/vacation items that are newly partnered) but since I am getting the same points on those with both programs I don't see how it is beneficial.
If I were to use the mileage program that this comparison video discusses, I would earn 5000 miles per trip, therefore it would take 5 months to reach 25000 but I wouldn't be able to use Southwest whose service I have grown to love. I really hope I am miscalculating this as it really seems like this is detrimental to all of Southwest's customers.
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