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canyonwalkerI've got a mileage run planned for next weekend. As I explained two weeks ago, I'm flying to Los Angeles and back, all in one afternoon/evening, just to earn airline points to renew elite status. Even if you don't click through the link to see the longer explanation you might wonder, "Is that worth it?" Heck, I'm the one who's doing it and I wonder if it's worth it! So imagine my intense curiosity yesterday morning when Southwest showed me there's Another Way....
That's right, instead of flying on a gratuitous trip to earn points, I could just buy the points I need to requalify for elite status!
Ah, but how much for how much? That's always the question when loyalty programs offer to sell you points. Almost by definition, it's going to be a shitty deal. But this one....
...This one is shittier than most.
It's not the fact I only need 140 points while the fewest I can buy is 5,000 that's shitty. I mean, yes, that is shitty. But the price is even shittier.
OMG, $1,450 to buy 5,000 qualifying points? I could buy a flight for $450 that earns that many points. Thus Southwest is effectively billing an extra $1,000 for the privilege of staying home instead of actually having to fly.
No thanks, I'll just stick with flying and wasting half a day.
That's right, instead of flying on a gratuitous trip to earn points, I could just buy the points I need to requalify for elite status!
Ah, but how much for how much? That's always the question when loyalty programs offer to sell you points. Almost by definition, it's going to be a shitty deal. But this one....
...This one is shittier than most.
It's not the fact I only need 140 points while the fewest I can buy is 5,000 that's shitty. I mean, yes, that is shitty. But the price is even shittier.
OMG, $1,450 to buy 5,000 qualifying points? I could buy a flight for $450 that earns that many points. Thus Southwest is effectively billing an extra $1,000 for the privilege of staying home instead of actually having to fly.
No thanks, I'll just stick with flying and wasting half a day.
