Southwest Rapid Rewards Devaluation
Back in September of last year, Southwest devalued of their Rapid Rewards program. Â As of right now, bookings cost 60 points per dollar. Â This gives the points a value of around 1.67 cents each. Unfortunately that value will change on March 31.
As part of the changes, Southwest will begin to charge 70 points per dollar for bookings. Â Essentially Southwest will lower the value of your points by about 15% to 1.42 cents each.
The changes go into effect March 31st, which means you should book any upcoming flights on or before 3/30. Â Right now the schedule has been extended through October, so there is an opportunity to book flights for the next six months at the old rate.
Free American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
American Airlines has launched a new promotion called the Aadvantage Passport Challenge where you can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles. Â The possible miles earned a broken down as follows:
- Play trivia and other games to earn up to 700 miles
- Share and complete social actions to earn up to 350 miles
- Fly our expanded network to earn over 9,000 miles
I actually look at this promotion as 1,050 easy miles and the rest will come if I have a need to fly during the promotional period. Â The 1,050 miles are earned by watching promotional videos, playing games and taking quizzes. Â There are also a few social things to share which some may or may not want to do. Â In all, it took me about 20 minutes to complete the tasks.
For the other 9,000 miles you have to complete flying related tasks. Â The tasks are: Fly International, Fly US Airways, Fly A New Route, Fly OneWorld, Fly US Airways Shuttle & Beat Your Goal. Â The goal is a number of EQPs which is unique to everyone. Â My goal is 1,600 for example.
Even if you don’t have any immediate plans to fly, I think 20 minutes of your time is easily worth 1,050 miles. Of course, if you have any upcoming flight plans, then the deal becomes sweeter. Â It really stinks for me because I just completed some travel that would have qualified, but I don’t have any immediate plans to fly during the promotional period!
The promotion ends on May 23, 2014. Â You can find all of the information here.
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[…] based on airfare costs, they should never have to change their pricing. Of course last year they lowered the value of Rapid Rewards points by about 15%Â and now who knows what is going to […]