Starting immediately, flyers will earn as little as two Rapid Rewards points per $1 spent on the base fare of qualifying flights.
Changes continue to affect loyal Southwest Airlines flyers after a proxy battle set a new direction for the carrier.
In updates published on their website, the airline significantly reduced the number of Rapid Rewards points flyers can earn for their trips.
“Wanna Get Away” Fares Cut to 2X, While Plus Fares Down to 6X
Under the new changes published by the airline and discovered by FlyerTalkers, all new “Wanna Get Away” fares booked will only earn 2X on “your base fare for qualifying flights,” reflecting a two-thirds reduction on points from flying in this category. For “Wanna Get Away+” flights, flyers will now only earn 6X points on their base fare, a reduction of two points per $1 spent on flights.
The amount of points has not changed for Anytime Fares, which remain at 10X per $1 spent on base fare. For Southwest’s premium fare package, Business Select, flyers will now earn 14X points on their base fare, an increase of two points per $1. All of the changes have taken effect immediately.
According to language updated by the airline at the beginning of the year, Southwest expanded the definition of “Qualifying Flights” to include those “operated by Southwest Airlines and paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits and those paid with Cash + Points.” Previously, any flight paid in part with Rapid Rewards points did not qualify. However, only the cash portion of the Cash + Points redemption will count towards the 2X or 6X points earnings in the two lower fare categories.
Spokespersons for Southwest Airlines have not publicly commented on the changes.
The move comes as the Dallas-based carrier underwent several changes after a short-lived proxy war with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Some of the changes now affecting the airline include charging for assigned seating, premium seating at the front of the aircraft, along with a new partnership with Icelandair for international travel and an agreement with Expedia to allow the online travel agency to sell Southwest flights.
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