Southwest Airlines Community

This post is why I'm so frustrated with Southwest right now. Do you think I am an idiot? I totally researched the new program. I did the math (which you have to do a lot of with your new program due to its complexity) It DOES NOT BENEFIT ME. It is a SIGNIFICANT value decline. Unless I spend a TON more money on your airline, this new program hurts on all accounts. I am a short haul business traveler who primarily books Wanna Get Away fares. Southwest, you are becoming more and more an example of a Corporate Blunder. btw--I've been a A-List Member with you since the program began. I fly on average 40-50 flights with you a year. I NEVER received any questionnaire about your program. You do realize you are going to lose about about 80-90% of my business with you on the new program. Remember, I did the math. It makes more sense for me to book on a Star Alliance carrier where I already am 1K on United. I kept my allegiance to you because I liked Rapid Rewards and your customer service. This new program just showed that both of those elements are quickly fading away. ... View more

I'm so disappointed in Southwest for this decision and will likely now switch most of my flights to another airline. I'm 1K with United and have been an A-List member with Southwest since the start of the program averaging 40-50 flights a year on SW. I use SW as short haul flights for my business with primarily wanna get away fares. I use my Award Tickets primarily as a last minute booking or to fly a family member to my home in Phoenix. This past spring, my award ticket allowed me to visit my cousins and their new baby in the hospital after the baby arrived early, With the new method, I wouldn't be able to afford the ticket. A few MAJOR problems I notice with the new program: 1) I'll have 8 Orphan credits when the program switches over. In order to get the 9,600 points to complete that Award, I'll need to fly about 18-22 more of my average flights. 2) Obviously the new math (if you mainly book Wanna Get Away fares) is 20 flights to an "Award" ticket (assuming that ticket is the same price or costs less than your average ticket price). With the bonus points I get as a United 1K member, I can basically already earn this on a Star Alliance carrier, get a airport lounge, get a TV on my flight, and likely also get upgrades to first. I am a business flyer--but my other program rewards me on the FREQUENCY and/or DISTANCE of my flights--not the amount of money I spend. 3) Loss of simplicity. I may be 1K with United, but I remained loyal to Southwest because I liked the simplicity and ease of the program. It was easy for me to earn rewards and to use them. I was able to book last second trips to visit family and friends. The new program requires a calculator and creates doubt. 4) The change in message and relationship from Southwest. This is my major problem. I LOVED LOVED LOVED how Southwest was different than other carriers. I loved how it was playful and fun and how it treated all the same (I'll admit that I did love that I could get A-List based on flying with them so much). This new model shows me A) they care more about what I spend than how much I fly, B) while they might not charge "fees" they care more about what I spend than how much I fly, C) while I've been a loyal customer with them for well over a decade, they care more about what I spend than how much I fly. See a theme? For me the trigger was when Kelly said, "the new program will get people to spend more on flights." That quote is insane and goes against everything I loved about Southwest. I'm 1K on United, but I NEVER book a higher fare unless i have to do a last second booking. The same is true on Southwest. The difference--United now rewards my loyalty, while Southwest rewards only my dollar. I've done the math. Before the change Southwest rewarded me so much better (it's one of the reasons I flew with them so much). Now, United gives me a better ROI and greater flexibility with awards. I'll still fly Southwest a few times a year when they might be the only connection that works between two business engagements, but they will no longer be my primary short haul carrier out of Phoenix. This makes me sad. Southwest changed this week and they failed. I'm going to start using them as my anecdote in business presentations about organizations that lost the core elements of what made them thrive. You may have recruited a fickle business traveler willing to spend more, but you lost a loyal client this week ... View more