Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran and has taken its sweet time in folding the two airlines and two frequent flyer programs into one. But we now have a definitive date.
- You can already transfer AirTran credits and Southwest Rapid Rewards points back and forth.
- AirTran accounts will be closed on November 1.
- You’ll be able to set up permanent linking later in the year so that points from AirTran will transfer smoothly (at 1 credit -> 1200 points, and half credits become 600 points) when the transition happens.
- If you have an AirTran account and not a Southwest one (or they can’t find your Southwest account), they’ll create a Rapid Rewards account for you. You’ll be better off creating and linking your own accounts later in the year, however, since there’s no risk in winding up with duplicate accounts that way.
Should You Convert Points Yourself or Wait for Integration?
Converting points yourself may be potentially more generous than waiting for the End of Days, since you can convert points in 1/4 point increments while it appears that the end of the AirTran program will convert only in 1/2 point increments.
In the meantime, AirTran’s fixed point system is better on expensive tickets and Southwest’s system is better on advance purchase Wanna Get Away cheapies and you can continue to arbitrage that.
Partner Earning
AirTran partner earning will actually cease earlier than November 2 — September 30 for Hertz, e-rewards, and e-miles, and during the month of October for the AirTran Chase co-brand credit card (existing cardholders will become Southwest cardholders, so anyone with an AirTran card may wish to apply for a Southwest one proactively before that in order to be eligible for a bonus).
Elite Status
Airtran elite members at November 1 will become Southwest A-List members through December 2015 automatically. If you have an AirTran companion pass that’s valid on November 1 it will become a Southwest companion pass valid through December 2015.
2015 Southwest A-List status and Companion Pass will be calculated based on combined activity on both airlines during 2014.
Members with 25–49 revenue flights in 2014 on Southwest and AirTran combined will receive Rapid Rewards A-List status.
Members with 50 or more revenue flights in 2014 on Southwest and AirTran combined will receive Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred status.
Members with 100 or more revenue flights in 2014 on Southwest and AirTran combined will receive a Companion Pass.
(HT: Inside Flyer)
Does this means this is the end of the old rapid rewards that are currently obtainable by transferring southwest points to a+ and then back into old southwest credits?
Oh no. I’d been saving my WN miles while I burn off a pile of (now devalued) UnitedContinental miles. Now I’ll have to reevaluate.
Well, thanks for the heads up. We knew this day was coming.
@Oky: Yes, except that you will be able to top off one last Southwest Standard Award using any stray credits remaining in your Rapid Rewards account. Consider leaving just 0.25 credits in your RR account as of November 1 to “buy” yourself that option at minimal cost.
Speaking of buying, Southwest is selling points at 25% off through the end of May. At that rate your family members with low point and/or credit balances can afford to buy the needed points to top off a Standard Award. Or your family members with a small balance of RR credits can move them to AirTran whence they will return as points in November. (Points are usable in much lower value chunks than credits.)
There aren’t any screaming great deals to be had, but there are plenty of interesting options here.
@nsx: by “buy”, you mean with points (being able to convert directly from points to old rapid rewards), or actually w green paper?
@oky: The former, converting points to credits. In addition the current 25% off sale provides a good opportunity to convert cash to points if you expect to be short of points in November.