Airlines offer sales all the time and it's pretty hard for people to know when they're getting a good value.
Unless you regularly track prices, 50% off a fare that's a moving target can be a great deal or might not be a price cut at all.
Unlike cruise lines, which regularly offer meaningful promotions like "kids sail free," or offer free internet, specialty dining, or drink packages, airlines rarely offer sales with tangible benefits.
That can change when demand softens, but since people have returned to flying after the covid pandemic, most flights have been full.
Related: Southwest Airlines addresses a key boarding problem
Delta, United, and American Airlines (AAL) -) have cut some service out of New York, Washington and Boston due to a Federal Aviation Administration exception granted due to a shortage of air-traffic controllers.
Those airlines, along with many others, have also suffered from pilot shortages and Boeing (BA) -) falling behind on plane deliveries.
In a broad sense, all these factors put together have kept planes full, pushed fares higher, and enabled airlines not to offer many promotions. Recent trends, however, have shown some weakness ahead, or at least a mismatch between schedules and demand.
Southwest Airlines (LUV) -) Executive Vice President Bob Jordan talked about that during the company's second-quarter-earnings call.
"While our network is largely restored at this point, it is not optimized, especially for postpandemic shifts in business travel," he said.
Jordan also estimated that first-quarter capacity will be up 14% to 16%. That creates a situation where the airline has a lot of seats to fill and has some concerns about whether demand will be strong enough.
To meet those needs and drive some near-term sales as well, Southwest has brought back a rarely offered, very popular promotion where customers can earn the company's top loyalty benefit.
The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.
Image source: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Southwest offers a Companion Pass deal
Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program has three tiers. To earn the first level, A-List, you need 25 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier-qualifying perks. That tier, while it's the first level, comes with some meaningful perks. A-List members get checked in early and can fly same-day standby for free, along with some other minor perks.
Earning the next-tier, A-List Preferred, requires more than twice as many flights (70) or twice as many points (70,000). That level comes with enhanced perks including free internet.
BOOK YOUR DREAM VACATION NOW: Let our travel pros help you get the best deal.
The top tier, which takes 100 qualifying one-way flights or 135,000 qualifying points, is called Companion Pass. Anyone who reaches that level gets to pick one person who can fly free (aside from taxes and fees) with them for the rest of the calendar year and the entire following year.
Earning a Companion Pass requires a lot of flights, and even very frequent travelers find it challenging to take 100 qualifying one-way flights on the same airline.
Southwest Air, however, has just brought back a promotion that makes earning a Companion Pass easier.
How do Southwest customers more quickly earn a Companion Pass?
Members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program (basically anyone who has flown on the airline) must register for the promotion on the airline's website. Once they do that, they get a chance to earn double points toward earning a Companion Pass between Sept. 11 and Nov. 30.
Here are the benefits you get for registering:
- Earn double Companion Pass qualifying points on all qualifying flights when you register, book, and fly.
- Business travelers booking through one of our business channels (swabiz.com, GDS, or SPS), will earn 3X Companion Pass qualifying points per flight during the same promotional period.
- Earn double Companion Pass qualifying points per $1 spent with your Chase Rapid Rewards Credit Card.
- Every flight you purchase with Rapid Rewards points counts as one Companion Pass qualifying flight.
Normally, flights purchased with points do not count toward earning a Companion Pass. The bonuses earned as part of this promotion do not count toward earning A-List or A-List Preferred status.
READY FOR A TRIP?: Let our travel agent help you get the best deal.
In order to get the bonus points, the travel must be booked and completed during the promotional period.
Get investment guidance from trusted portfolio managers without the management fees. Sign up for Action Alerts PLUS now.
