Southwest has found a new way to screw us. Get less points for flying the short-hops (eg: LAS to PHX) and lose the flexibility to pick up a last minute free flight because it will cost MORE points than previously. Here's my math: MAX WGA fare: $144*60=8,640 Anytime: $158*100=10,580 Biz Select: $183*120=21,960
Earning ratio (assuming not A list member): 10 1-way flights at max cost for WGA will net you a free flight, so long as you book within the WGA window and chose not to change. It will require 13 1-way flights purchased at MAX WGA to earn a last minute ONE WAY fare.
You now need 26 segments just to earn a round trip ticket. While this is an incentive for credit card and partner usage....for the average flier a flight on southwest is now 5 flights further away.
Take an EXPENSIVE route, like LAS to LGA and the disparity is even more hilarious. Buy 1, round trip anytime ticket on that route (484 each way), and have enough points (9,680) for a short hop flight, but be miles from reaching that 96,800 points you'll need for a round trip anytime ticket on that route. Right now they're offering a WGA fare for 114 each way.
We're better off only flying southwest when we can plan far enough in advance to get a low fare and earning our 'frequent flier' miles elsewhere where 25k can still get you a round trip ticket ANYWHERE in the USA.
Hey southwest, how bout a trade. For every flight I take without luggage, I get even a $25 credit off my ridiculously exorbitant fare.....
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For all of the people clammoring for east coast routes, we need some more bicoastal flights....PLEASE do consider a PHX-LGA route. Our options are ridiculously limited and there are so many west coasters who fly back and forth on a weekly basis.
We LUV your service cross country and wouldn't have it any other way...but if I have to fly through MDW in the winter to get to LGA, it's not gonna be worth it
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