Ease of Travel » Southwest

Buy A Southwest “A” Boarding Pass

jim — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 11:29:55 +0000

Since Southwest allows you to login and print out your boarding passes 24 hours in advance, the chances of getting an “A” boarding pass (that is, be in the first group to board the plane) are easier for the tech savvy. This also means that services such as this one, which charges $5 for each successful “A” boarding pass it secures for you, also appear. It’s dangerous to use untested services (and unaffiliated services) like this one because with the information they request, they can change your itinerary (but not the traveller’s name) without your consent.

Southwest Bonus Credit Promotion

jim — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 23:31:35 +0000

From Oct. 14th to Nov. 15th, if you book a flight on Southwest.com when you are logged in you will receive one (1) bonus credit, a maximum of three (3) per person. If you login this notice is displayed relatively prominently.

Details:

Travel must be purchased for yourself between October 14 and November 15, 2005 while logged in to MySouthwest. The Member will receive (1) one bonus credit per qualifying roundtrip, limited to (3) three bonus credits per Member. Credits will be posted to the account within (1) one week of the promotion period ending.

Southwest Double Reward Points Lifespan

jim — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 13:11:35 +0000

Until yesterday (Aug 10), Southwest Rapid Reward points were valid for a mere twelve months (pretty standard for frequent flyer programs that use points instead of miles). Now, they’re valid for twenty-four months which means you now have twice the time to fly enough to earn free flights. All points you current have last twelve months longer and all new ones will be valid for twenty four months. Here is what the Rapid Rewards E-Mail Update stated:

As of this instant, all Rapid Rewards credits are valid for a full 24 months. That’s two solid years – instead of just 12 months – before any credits expire. So any credits you currently have in your account are now valid for an additional 12 months.

Think about it. The 24-month credit expiration makes it even easier to get Award travel. Get there faster by using our Preferred Partners. You’ve got 2 years to earn the 16 credits you need.

Just when you thought doubling the lifespan of a point was good, they will be taking out all systemwide blackout dates on awards given after Feb 10, 2006. The downside though is that they will be decreasing the number of seats earmarked for awards on flights, but if you plan ahead you should be fine. Here is what the email said:

Beginning February 10, 2006, all Awards issued will have no systemwide blackout dates and will be subject to seat restrictions. Restricting the number of seats for Awards helps us maintain our low-fare leadership and keep the program lucrative for you.

They add in a few more bullet points to clarify everything, many of are just reiterations of current policy:

Awards issued before February 10, 2006 will have no seat restrictions, but are subject to published blackout dates.

Awards issued on or after February 10, 2006 will have seat restrictions, but no systemwide blackout dates. Members need to be flexible when choosing times and dates to their destinations as certain holiday or peak travel periods will be in high demand and that makes booking Award travel difficult.

Last-minute Award usage will still be allowed based on seat availability.

Awards are still valid for 12 months.

Receiving a Companion Pass still only requires 100 credits within 12 months.

Companion travel will still have no seat restrictions or blackout dates.

DING! – Southwest Desktop Application Earns 2 Free Credits

jim — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 13:23:19 +0000

If you are familiar with Southwest’s frequent flyer program, you’ll immediately recognize the beauty of this offer. If you aren’t familiar, a quick juant over here and you’ll quickly and easily learn that Southwest has one of the easiest and hassle-less programs out there. If you sign up for Ding! and keep it installed and active for thirty days, you will receive 2 free credits (equal to about $60 according to my calculations of a value per credit).

I received this message in a recent Rapid Rewards Email Update:

Have you downloaded DING! to your desktop? Have you been waiting to install because your operating system would not support DING!? Now, Members with Windows 2000, Windows 2003, or Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 operating systems can take advantage of Southwest Airlines’ newest customized product designed to bring the hottest deals directly to your desktop. These fares are available only for DING! subscribers and are so hot that they may only be offered for a day, or even just a few hours.

Not only will DING! bring you great deals from Southwest Airlines, but if you download and install it between June 1 and June 15 and keep it on your desktop for 30 days, we’ll deposit two Rapid Rewards credits in your account.

Southwest Airlines Terms and Conditions: Two (2) bonus credits will be automatically deposited into the Members’ account if DING! download and installation is completed between June 1, 2005 and June 15, 2005 and the Member keeps the application installed on his/her desktop for 30 days. If you have downloaded and installed DING! since March 15, 2005 and have kept it on your desktop for 30 days, you will also receive the two (2) bonus credits. Bonus credit offer and DING! not available to Macintosh users at this time; however, this is being considered for future DING! enhancements. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.