01-23-2017
04:33 PM
01-23-2017
04:33 PM
Compare fares -- often times Southwest's is higher by about $50, or about the cost to check bags. Also, just by having a competitor's credit card you can avoid paying bag fees in the first place. Change fees are where Southwest generally wins, but for many business travelers, changes are often made at the last minute. Southwest charges no "change fee" but does collect the upgrade to the same-day fare, which can be much higher than other carriers change fee. And other carriers allow standby or confirmed same-day changes for a small fee ($50/$75), or even free for their elites. Southwest wins on changes made well in advance, but other carriers win on same-day ones. Also, many customers simply don't make changes, meaning "no change fees" is of little benefit to them.
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01-14-2017
08:42 PM
01-14-2017
08:42 PM
I have been A-List for years, and preferred and companion pass for two. Last year, I didn't take the extra flight that I needed. I think it was 1800 points. I worked up through Christmas, and couldn't force myself back on a plane. I thought I wouldn't get it, then those emails. I figured I had been wrong, and what a sweet surprise. Wow! I was floored by the apology emails that went to junk mail, for some reason. Gee, that was BAD form. I'm using every trick to get back to the same level, and get the companion pass back, though I didn't use it much. When you fly often, it isn't as fun on vacation. I like the double points, and I will use them when I retire. A-List Preferred is the bomb. Points just pile up.
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