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Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

VASHFORD
Explorer C

I have never achieved the A-List status. I got close one year, but couldn't get it done by December.

I have a colleague who was A-List once, also couldn't achieve it by December 2016. Yet, in February HE receives the special Southwest email inviting him for limited time A-List status, AND, offers him special conditions if he books a few flights (3) by a certain date (April 30th) Meaning, he didn't have to fly the required 25 flights last year to get the status for the rest of the year 2017.  Since he travels a bit, he booked the flights and has A-list until Dec. 31, 2017.

 

While glad for him,  I'd like a deal/offer like this too.  All I ever get is the Southwest Visa Card invites for more friends to get and use. Yes, I know they market based on behavior ( I use my SW Visa and rack up points), but I'd like the better opportunity other than helping Chase get more customers. Why don't they experiment and let me take a crack at A-List too?

 

I CRY FOUL!

14 REPLIES 14

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

msturtz
Explorer B

I had A-List for 2 years, but lost it for 2016.  I was real close to getting it for this year, but I knew I wasn't quite there.

 

I also received a "You got A-List!  Congrats!" email in January -- I didn't get my hopes up, and sure enough, it turned out to be an IT mistake (IT gets blamed for everything!!!).  That was pretty frustrating, but again, I hadn't gotten my hopes up too much.

 

I became aware of the promo you mentioned, if you flew 3 round-trips or 6 one-ways, or got like 9,000 points, between 1/31 and 4/30, you'd get A-List for 2017.  I went on a business trip (Business Select, Yeah!) in early April, and that one trip netted me like 12,000 points.  But there's a catch:  You had to register for the promotion, *before* the flights, and I hadn't even known about the promo until after the trip.  I called and asked, but they steadfastly refused, saying "it's a promo with specific terms, you didn't meet them, so sorry, nothing we can do, buh-bye".  That was *FAR* more frustrating.

 

The only thing I can suggest is make sure you're subscribed to their marketing emails -- that's apparently where they announce promos and other special deals.  I was getting my RR statement, but nothing else.  Now I'm getting it all.

 

[EDIT]:  I posted this on 5/4...  In today's mail, I received a letter congratulating me for hitting the promo, and a 2017 A-list card...  Not sure if they're related, but either way, I'm a happy camper.

 

-Matt-

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

caa1127
Explorer C

I had the same problem. I did sign up but misunderstood the directions that not only did you have to "fly" 3 roundtrips or 6 one ways, but you had to "book" them as well in the time. I already had some of my flights book. I called and they said "Oh, you would have had to rebook it within the dates". So I probably was one flight off from keeping it the whole year. I flew 7 times between the date.

 

Miffed was not my response.

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

combscrew7
Explorer C

so disappointing...i flew the 3 and have kept looking back to see when they update their system for my 3 flights and nothing has happened.  this must be why.  not pleased. 

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

VASHFORD
Explorer C

I am subscribed to all marketing emails, and register for anythat may apply (bonus points for taking surveys, etc) What you've missed is that I DON'T RECEIVE THAT TYPE OF EMAIL for A-List help. All I ever get is the SW Visa promos.

 

I think they mkt to us based on yur past history, ie. I'm a strong user of my SW Visa, so let's see if she can get others to get the card too. I don't want to work for them or Chase, I want to work for me, and getting a sweet A-List. 😞

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

timothyway
Explorer C

Three of us in my office were in the same boat; we came close to A-List last year, but none of us actually made it.  One of us received an email with the special offer you mentioned; fly three flights by April 30th.

 

Needless to say, the other two (one of them being me) that didn't recieve the email were miffed!

 

However, a week later I logged into my account and and clicked on the "promotions" link and there was the special A-List offer!

 

Three flights later, I'm now A-List through the end of the year...and hopefully, next year as well.

 

Moral of the story, ALWAYS check for available promostions.

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

VASHFORD
Explorer C

@timothyway wrote:

Three of us in my office were in the same boat; we came close to A-List last year, but none of us actually made it.  One of us received an email with the special offer you mentioned; fly three flights by April 30th.

 

Needless to say, the other two (one of them being me) that didn't recieve the email were miffed!

 

However, a week later I logged into my account and and clicked on the "promotions" link and there was the special A-List offer!

 

Three flights later, I'm now A-List through the end of the year...and hopefully, next year as well.

 

Moral of the story, ALWAYS check for available promostions.


I do, regularly, and HAVE NEVER SEEN this type of promo--only them trying to pimp my friends and family for the SW Visa.

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

VASHFORD
Explorer C

@timothyway wrote:

Three of us in my office were in the same boat; we came close to A-List last year, but none of us actually made it.  One of us received an email with the special offer you mentioned; fly three flights by April 30th.

 

Needless to say, the other two (one of them being me) that didn't recieve the email were miffed!

 

However, a week later I logged into my account and and clicked on the "promotions" link and there was the special A-List offer!

 

Three flights later, I'm now A-List through the end of the year...and hopefully, next year as well.

 

Moral of the story, ALWAYS check for available promostions.


Makes me wonder if they only send those emails to those past A-Listers and those who were almost there, maybe that means within 1-3 flights. The year I was talking about, I was 7 flights short...that's close, right? I mean 18 flights in a year is a lot for most, but NOT ENOUGH for Southwest to even tease me with the promo.

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

DancingDavidE
Aviator A

@VASHFORDI'm sure that's what they do. It certainly is targeted to those that have had A-list before and came close to achieving again - someone that has been a regular customer for two years, they don't want to lose that regular customer because they didn't quite fly enough in the past year.

 

I'm sure if Southwest had a way to see someone that came within a few flights each year but didn't achieve it, they also could be offered the promotion to retain/enhance their business, the main difference being that the person in that case might not be expected to retain A-list if they don't fly enough so it could be a one-off, as opposed to "long-time" A-listers missing out due to a slow year.

Home airport MDW, frequent visitor to MCO to see the mouse.

Re: Anybody else miffed with NOT getting the A-List emails?

caa1127
Explorer C

I signed up and did what I thought was right, but the instructions were not clear on "BOOKING and flying". I had all flights I needed, however because I had booked two of those flights before the promotion began, I didn't get to keep it. 

 

Moral of the story...when you see or check for promotions, call and clarify rules. I certainly will be from now on 🙂