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Southwest Rapid Rewards (Edit)

Rapid Rewards is an original program for an original airline. But the airline isn't for everyone, and neither is Rapid Rewards. For example, Southwest has no business or first class, hence Rapid Rewards offers no upgrade awards. This very simple program offers free flights, and the top frequent flyers are entitled to a Companion Pass -- and that's it. Still, it's hard to beat a free ticket every eight roundtrips.

Features

The program lets you accumulate credits rather than miles. Typically, one flight=1 credit. Credits can also be accumulated with partners: car rentals (1 rental=0.5 credit), hotels (1 stay=0.5 credit) and credit card ($1000 spent=1 credit). 16 credits earns you a free roundtrip anywhere Southwest flies. 16 credits also earns you a book of coupons for alcoholic beverages on board. Once you accumulate 100 credits, you have reached the highest frequent flyer status with Rapid Rewards, Companion Pass Holder. The Companion pass allows you to take a designated person with you, for free, on any flight. The Companion Pass is valid one year from date of issuance. It's an interesting quirk in the program that tends to pace how fast people accumulate credits.

Pros

Some might say that the program is too anemic in its offerings, but it has the merit of simplicity. There are few black-out days for Rapid Rewards travel, and no capacity controls -- in other words, if there's a seat available on the plane, your Rapid Rewards coupon will be good for travel. Partner credits count toward free tickets and the Companion Pass. Few other frequent flyer programs go that far. A companion pass may be used in combination with a Rapid Rewards award, meaning you and your sweetie can go visit Grandma in Midland-Odessa for free. You can break your itinerary into separate legs and get a free ticket after two roundtrips, for the same price.

Cons

Southwest's destinations are limited to a few states and Rapid Rewards has no airline partner, so you can forget about using your hard-earned credits for a trip to Tahiti. This is, by and large, the greatest shortcoming of the program. The Companion Pass is really not much of a benefit to those who accumulate their credits purely in the air (rather than with hotel or car rental partners). The companion must be designated in advance and the process can take weeks. A Companion Pass Holder is extended no additional benefit, such as pre-boarding or seat preference. This is an annoyance to business travelers who don't always have the luxury of getting to the gate an hour before boarding. This makes Southwest's top FF status the weakest in benefits compared to other airlines. The obsolete Wright Amendment can be a pain if your travels take you through Texas.