Southwest Rapid Rewards Changes

Southwest Airlines was busy on Thursday informing its Rapid Rewards members about some positive and negative changes coming to its program.

Rapid Rewards points no longer expire (good), the number of qualifying points for Companion Pass will increase (negative), and Southwest starts to charge possible tax difference for changes (neutral).

You can access Southwest here.

Here are the changes:

Points No Longer Expire:

This is a positive change for those members that fly on Southwest infrequently.

Companion Pass Points Increase:

Number of Companion Qualifying Points required for the Companion Pass increases from 110,000 to 125,000 points. The new requirement will become effective on January 1, 2020.

Fees

Southwest Airlines will collect starting on January 1, 2020, any possible taxes and fee increases (only government ones) that are due to free same-day changes that passengers initiate.

Conclusion

The only negative change is the Companion Pass requirement change. This only affects members, however, who earn it from other than flight activity (100 segments still qualify).

The fees for same-day changes are likely minimal and can go both ways. Why waste agent resources for collecting a handful of bucks?