I have to say that I am very disappointed with the new SW system. Previously, SW had always treated every one equally. The fares were cheaper the earlier you made reservations. Everything was first-come, first-served. We were all just travelers. Now, our rapid reward points don't really count. Very few flights will accept the awards, unless you are on the A-list. SW now seems to cater to business customers or those who are financially able to pay for the higher business fares. I made reservations for a vacation flight for myself, my husband and 2 small children. The vacation package reservation and work and school plans had to be adjusted because I couldn't get 2 reward flights on a weekend, unless I was in the elite group. I had been saving these rewards specifically for this vacation. I checked all 4 or us in exactly 24 hours before (within a 2 minute time span) and received numbers A25, A32, A39, A40. The highest 2 numbers are the children. We don't get to pre-board and they won't even be in the same boarding area with us! Sorry SW, but you will no longer be my airline of choice. You have your favorites and it's not the everyday average customer or family anymore. I guess when I can afford the more expensive fares or maybe afford to make 32 flights/year, I will be one of your "favorites" again.
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I am totally disgusted with the new Rapid Rewards system. We had been saving our rapid rewards to take our grandchildren on a vacation - we even paid to have one re-issued. Now we can't use them on many of the Saturday's during the year., unless we are on the "A-list" and they can only be used as a Round-trip award and not divided up. Not to mention the increase in fares. Not only are the rewards useless to us now, but we will probably have to cancel the vacation that we have been planning with the kids for the last 6 months. Our plans can't be moved because of school.
We never had a problem like this with the old system. Why ruin something that customers were so pleased with.
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