Southwest drops frequent miles
When Southwest Airlines ended its bonus credits for online bookings, it ended one of the industry’s most generous and longest-running frequent flyer giveaways.
No announcement was made but the move indicated Southwest believed the giveaway had accomplished its goal.
Southwest started giving bonus credits about eight years ago to induce travelers to internet bookings at Southwest.com. No other airline online incentives were as generous, according to the Arizona Republic.
Removal of the bonus credits means it will take eight round-trip flights in a one-year period to earn a free ticket anywhere on Southwest.
That compared to just four round-trip flights during the promotion.
About 60% of Southwest’s ticket sales are now coming from its Web site, said spokesman Ed Stewart. That compares with only 25% just five years ago.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

































Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism