I am writing in regards to the new changes to the Rapid Rewards Program. I feel that Southwest Airlines is making it harder for its loyal customers to use the Rapid Rewards program. First, if you had a rapid rewards ticket and there was a seat on the plane you could fly with the exception of blackout dates. Second, the program changed to no blackout dates but limited seats on the plane. Third, now there are 2 types of rapid reward tickets, Standard Award and Freedom Awards. It seems to me that Southwest has gone back to the 1st type of Rapid Reward ticket but it uses twice as many Rapid Reward tickets or twice as many credits.
My husband has been a loyal business traveler with Southwest Airlines for many years. My family always flies Southwest Airlines when we can. As a matter of fact my family was flying 2 weeks after 9/11. Many times we are using Rapid Reward tickets. I never felt the blackout dates were a problem or restrictive. I would always plan our trips accordingly. When the program changed to no blackout dates and limited seat availability, I felt that was more restrictive. I usually plan my trips 6 months or more in advance but Southwest does not release its travel schedule that far in advance. During the more popular times to travel, i.e. Spring Break, it is hard to get a seat on the plane with a Rapid Rewards ticket. I encountered that problem last year and had to change my travel dates from a Saturday to a Friday evening. I planned my familyÃ
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