Southwest has a pretty interesting, if highly restrictive, new promotion where bookings made right away for August and September travel earn 50% off of a future trip.

1. Register then buy a round trip ticket (or two one-ways) by August 3
   
2. Travel by September 30
   
3. Earn a 50% off promo code valid for bookings made October 17 through November 23 for travel January 8 through March 6, 2024. Blackout dates apply.

I need to look at existing Southwest Airlines trips I have booked to see whether I can cancel and rebook to earn this future discount without causing the fare to increase. So I might earn one of these, but it’s still a little strange. In essence:

• You register, then buy a ticket right away for travel during specific dates.
  
• And you earn a promo code that gives you a short window to book another ticket
  
• And a different window in which to use that ticket
  
• And there are blackout dates.

Doesn’t the convoluted and restrictive nature of this offer seem just a little… off brand?

Too many restrictions, too long to wait to benefit, but all of those are in place of course to limit the cost to the airline of offering this. You get to use the discount in a short window (breakage) and that window is during an expected lull in travel (when there are seats they wouldn’t sell at full price) – all while ensuring most that take advantage of the discount will be buying a ticket they probably wouldn’t have otherwise. So they hope to drive incremental revenue now, and also at time of redemption, while offering those jumping through their hoops a good deal.