What a bummer. Southwest was one of my favorite companies and Rapid Rewards was the ONLY rewards program (travel or otherwise) that I participated in and used. The reasons were simple:
1. The old system was simple - no points, just free flights that popped into my account automatically. No calculating and redeeming for me to have to do. I hate AMEX for that reason - I have to mess around with AMEX to figure out what I can get and it's usually disappointing.
2. An award flight was the same so I didn't have to think about how far it could take me. I could use it anywhere Southwest went. Easy.
This new system has turned it into something like every other reward point system I find useless and has made free flights harder to get. I'd rather have the blackout dates or limited seats under the old system.
The added insult is Southwest telling me why this is new and improved. I wish they'd just say that they can't afford the old system anymore if that's the case (I know - such honesty doesn't exist in these circumstances).
Who knows? Maybe another airline will step. As for now, one of my favorite companies is no longer....
... View more