Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Buy Points Promotion (DON’T BUY!)

Southwest Airlines yesterday emailed out a year-end promotion of buying Rapid Rewards points and getting up to 35% bonus.

This offer is valid for purchases made between now and November 22, 2013. You can access this offer here, but you have to log into to your Rapid Rewards account first to access it.

The bonus percentage is dependent on the number of points purchased.

The price of a Rapid Rewards point purchased at the highest bonus level is 2 cents.

Does it make ANY sense to buy Rapid Rewards points?

The value of a Rapid Rewards point used for Wanna Getaway fares is 1.4 cents, 1 cent for Anytime fares and 0.83 cents for Business Select fares.

It makes no sense whatsoever to purchase Rapid Rewards points at 2 cents each, when the maximum value that you can get out of them is capped at 1.4 cents each.

Conclusion

Southwest must think that people who buy Rapid Rewards points are so dumb that they are not able to make a simple math calculation about the value of them.

You are far better off by just paying for the airfare and collect the Rapid Rewards points that way. Buying any points under this offer is just handing money over to Southwest for nothing.

Here are the terms and conditions of this offer:

Terms and Conditions: Offer is valid between October 17, 2013 and November 22, 2013. Member will receive a 20% bonus of Rapid Rewards® Points when buying 4,000 to 8,000 points; a 25% bonus of Rapid Rewards Points when buying 8,500 to 14,500 points; or a 35% bonus of Rapid Rewards Points when buying 15,000 point or more. For gifted points, recipient will receive a 20% bonus of Rapid Rewards Points when gifted 4,000 to 8,000 points; a 25% bonus of Rapid Rewards Points when gifted 8,500 to 14,500 points; or a 35% bonus of Rapid Rewards Points when gifted 15,000 point or more. Transactions are nonrefundable and nonreversible. Purchased/gifted points and bonus points do not count toward A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass qualification. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.