I have been a loyal SWA customer since I moved out to California in August 2006. Was I a huge fan of the seating system? Not really. Was I a huge fan that I could never get a direct flight? Not really. Was I a huge fan that there was typically unannounced stops on my route? Not really. However, I was BEYOND impressed with the rapid rewards program. Finally, a frequent flyer program that made sense! No matter where I flew, I got a point, if I booked using my SW credit card, 2! Even when fares were a bit pricier and the route was longer, I still chose SWA because of the quick (rapid!) way I could earn free flights, and while my choice of a bicoastal life style continued, this made seeing my family easy! Fast forward 5 years, and god knows how many flights later, and I find myself planning where I can go before March 1 to use my remaining vouchers so they don't get transferred over to this absurd program that only really rewards those spending the most money on tickets. I also find myself writing my final check to pay off my SWA credit card so I can cancel it, as the annual fee is no longer worth it,
I've researched this new program, I've done the math- using approximate ticket prices of what I usually pay, as well as incorporating typical routes that I fly. What the math comes down to- it does not add up! I will now have to spend more money and fly more often in order to receive any kind of reward. This program only is going to be an improvement to those that fly business class, and I'm sorry, for business class prices I will go pay that at an airline with more frills, or at the very least a direct flight.
I fully intend to go become a Star Alliance member and enjoy some of the better 'frills' of a different airline with a rewards program that will most definitely reward me sooner. Thanks for keeping the 'customer's interest' at heart...well any customer that doesn't throw down money on the most expensive ticket.
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