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What's Brewin' With Drink Coupons

cday
Frequent Flyer C


Southwest Airlines
has always been known as a fun and laid-back airline and for some of our Customers, and that attitude is enhanced by a fantastic onboard selection of adult beverages.  We know it’s a treat to unwind on a flight with a glass of wine or a cocktail, and we want to fill you in on some changes brewin' with our Drink Coupons. 

Beginning tomorrow, September 1, 2011, Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants will only accept Drink Coupons with a valid expiration date.  We announced last year that Customers would have a full year to use up the coupons without an expiration date.

As a reminder, Business Select Drink Coupons are valid only on the date of travel for the Business Select ticket. Business Select Customers may use their drink coupon on a connecting flight, as long as it is used on the day of travel printed on the coupon. Remember, even on that 8 a.m. flight: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

How do you get Drink Coupons, you ask?  There are two ways Drink Coupons are offered:

-  Business Select Tickets: With the purchase of a Business Select fare, you receive a premium Drink Coupon valid for your day of travel. You can read more about the perks of purchasing Business Select here.

-  Rapid Rewards:  Enroll in our All New Rapid Rewards program and earn four drink coupons following the completion of 10 one-way qualifying flights.   The Drink Coupons expire one year from the last day of the month in which the coupons are issued.  For example, if coupons are issued in October 2010, the expiration will be October 31, 2011.

Drink Coupons

Of course you can always use a credit card to purchase liquor, beer, wine or Monster Low-Carb Energy Drinks onboard our flights.  We're proud to have some of the lowest prices in the air for liquor, beer, and wine.  And of course, all other non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are free.  

26 Comments
1150kstnw
Explorer C
I have about eight of these coupons I never used. I don't recall ever receiving notice the coupons would expire tonight. I would have gladly given them away yesterday when my wife and I flew MDW-IAD.
Ken_Franks
Explorer C
Like the previous post, I would have appreciated a notice that my expired coupons would no longer be accepted. The coupons are a minor thing. What concerns me most is the attitude of SWA is changing from what has made it a very successful airline. First the change of the Rapid Reward program, now a minor thing of the drink coupons. It appears that my favorite airline is evolving into a clone of the legacy airlines. That is what happens when the founders of a company move on and the MBA bean counters take over the operation.
Matt_B
Explorer C
I am flying 9/15 and upset now that I won't be able to use my "old" coupons As a Rapid Rewards credit card holder and long time flyer SWA could not have sent an email with this info?
Gary_A
Explorer C
Sure Southwest does thing well however recent changes this year (2011) have not been something that makes me want to continue using my high interest Southwest Chase Card. First a "point" system vs. the old now the elimination of the "old" drink coupons with no notice. What next? Perhaps a charge for luggage? Getting moved further back when holding an "A" boarding pass (after Buisness class...) Oh well, all good things come to an end.
Don_Taft
Explorer C
My wife and I flew out to Seattle on August 4th and returned to Denver a week later via SW Airlines. My wife is handicapped and I just wanted to let you know that although I'm not a frequent flier, that's the best that I've been taken care of by any airline that I've traveled with. Everyone with your airline was so helpful. Thank you so much.
Craig_Tumbarell
Explorer C
How could Southwest put an expiration date on a coupon that never had one on it before. I earned these drink vouchers thru the Rapid Rewards program and now you say they are no good. This is unbelievable.
brian_h1
Explorer C
So the only way to get drink coupons now is by flying 10 flights? Not by a certain point level?
Anonymous2133
Explorer C
This is the latest in what has been a very noticible decline in Southwest's heretofore excellant commitment to us, the customer. First you changed the frequent flyer deal; both in how many "points" are earned and in how many points it takes to fly anywhere. Now you take away the drink coupons that I legitimately earned and was NEVER TOLD would expire. I think that is a violation of my trust in you. So, instead of going directly to Southwest.com to book my upcoming trip, I'll just use Kayak or Expedia and book the cheapest flight. It's kind of sad really. Maybe instead of spending so much money on cheesy commercials with guys supposedly jumping in to save us from the unfair main stream airlines, you could pay a bit more attention to keeping the loyal customers you have (or should I say, had).
Chris_Z
Explorer C
Seriously disappointed in Southwest I had no idea this was happening - I had a stack of coupons I had earned that are now "worthless". Except that they don't have an expiration date, and I live in California - is that legal? SWA has become just another public company protecting their "shareholders". Very disappointing. Oh well, I can cancel my SWA VISA card the same day I cancel my Netflix membership - I don't believe in either company anymore.
Robert_Peloquin
Explorer C
My wife has been a Rapid Rewards member for several years while I just recently signed up. On a whim, I looked at your blog and noted the comments about the old drink tickets being discontinued. Like so many others, I am stunned to hear this. While SWA states they got the message out, it seems they didn't waste much time doing it. This is the absolute first time I've even heard about it and for sure, we do not recall getting any formal notice. Apparently, the change happened effective 9/1/2011. Since I'm planning another flight in November, I would have been embarrassed by presenting my old drink ticket. In my opinion, the old tickets should be honored. Afterall, how much did it cost the airline for a teeny bottle of booze?
Jay12
Explorer C
I echo the comments that others have made. Revisions to the Rapid Rewards program make it less attractive now than comparable airlines' rewards programs. Reduction in flight schedules makes it difficult to find any convenient flights. Example - Seattle to Boise flights cancelled starting January. Flight coupons without expiration dates are now expiring?? ( I flew over 100 SW flights in a two year span a couple of years ago so have plenty of drink coupons left over which are now worthless) Free tickets almost impossible to use now due to blackout dates (try using one and you'll see). I'll be looking at other options when I fly in the future (which I still do quite regularly). Good luck retaining your high customer satisfaction score in the future.
Mary_Collier
Explorer C
I was aware that the drink coupons would expire on 8/31/11. I saw this on the website. I have not noticed any major decline in the level of customer service on South West ! I will continue to earn my rewards and fly on SW... Organizations change and evolve.....rules change. SW still has the best deals as far as I'm concerned.
wahMousatuh
Explorer C
Здесь Вы можете расслабиться отдохнуть душой и телеом, все самые мыслимые и не мыслимые удовольствия наши элитные индивидуалки сделают все, Заходим сюда, звоним http://tinyurl.com/5rw8wxn Вас ждет масса незабываемых впечатлений и ощущений )))
Cathy_S
Explorer C
I also never received any notice that the drink coupons expired and was told so last night on my flight to Orlando. Has the airline considered trading out the 'unexpired' coupons for coupons with expiration dates on them? I have 10 coupons, even if they sent 5 in return with dates, that would be something other than "we just don't honor those anymore". Please advise.
Dave_Vernon
Explorer C
I agree with many others here on this blog. Myself and my wife have 6 Rapid Reward personal and business accounts. We have never received any notices or emails that this expiration of the drink coupons would ever happen. We were told by stewardesses and personnel on our flights that these coupons would "never expire". They remarked if we have coupons that we sent to us with dates that would be expiring, to use them first as the tan drink coupons would never expire. On a recent trip from LAX to New Orleans we first learned that SWA is now telling customers that these coupons are no longer valid. I voiced and email me my extremely sad disappoint of what SWA did to us and other Rapid Rewards customers with the action. This was done as the Customer Relations SWA office at 214-932-0333 From my understanding of California law, it is unlawful to put an expire date, or no longer honor a coupon that was given to a customer. This is something we are still checking into with local media and the California authorities. Very sad move by management and operations personnel at SWA. I hope this gets corrected.
Kevin_Rinerson
Explorer C
I've been a Rapid Rewards member for several years now, and just within this last 2011 year, I've already flown 28 flights. However, I have never received any drink coupons. My preferences are set to receive them, and I am curious if there is a glitch in the system, or what the reason is for not receiving any after reaching 10 flights. Please offer any suggestions for receiving my drink coupons, or direct me to who I can contact about this issue. Thanks.
andrew_sigler
Explorer C
ditto other comments...anyone want my 11 obsolete books of tickets to start a fire?
linda_b
Explorer C
I, too, was embarrased on a recent flight when I went to use the coupons i had been saving only to be told they would not be honored. Seems like such a simple thing to just let loyal Southwest customers use them up and be done with it.
CURT_S_
Explorer C
Add another to the embarrassed coupon crowd! I had checked for dates on them as I don't fly as much as most of you all, and found none. It was pretty dang embarrassing to have rows around me and with me hear, we don't take those any more! I fly again tomorrow I guess I should just leave the rest of the coupons in the waiting area. I can say this was my first time ever being dissatisfied with SW. I fly them if they go where I go, they don't go to Alaska, etc. It does make one reconsider options, doesn't feel so much like a friend any more.
MLC
Explorer C
Just to add to the comments here, I had four drink coupons that we intended to use on a flight this past week (1/18). No expiration date, but the flight attendant literally took them out of my hand and tore them up right in front of me without so much as a "sorry!" I had not received any notice of their expiration, and excuuuuze me if I don't happen to read USA Today (or any day, for that matter). Yes, it's only a few dollars worth of coupons, but between the way SWA did this without reasonable warning, and the moderately obese flight attendant whose attitude seemed to come from a large wooden object lodged in her sigmoid colon, I am pretty angry with the way we have been treated. BTW- I have NEVER been addressed so undeservedly rudely by a SWA employee anytime, anywhere. So is this the new SWA???
Doug_LaFay
Explorer C
I usually fly Southwest on business and therefore rarely use a "drink coupon." My family and I are leaving BUF for LAX on Wednesday, and I noticed I had 26 of the unexpired coupons - thought I might use a few on this long pleasure flight. A friend told me that SW was now refusing to honor these coupons....frustrating. First, you re-vamp the "rapid rewards" program to basically double the point cost of a rewards flight falling in line with all the other airlines' b.s. programs, and then expire un-expirable drink coupons. What's next - baggage fees? You guys used to set the standard, now you're following the heard. I read on-line that in response to a class-action suit, you're claiming that too many passegers were bootlegging the old coupons...really? And the new ones are immune to that? How 'bout I send you my 26 expired unexpired coupons and you send me your new and less desirable version? Time to cancel the Southwest VISA and start using Travelocity as Southwest has turned its back on those who had always been loyal to it.
Johnson
Explorer C
Yes, I agree with matt...I also didn't receive any rewards on my old rapid rewards and I think it did not expired as I know it for 1 year expiration, right? I have here my old Coupon Probe but I can't barely used it.
Donna_Bonfante
Explorer C
Wow! My husband and I have saved up for years to bring our children and grandchildren together ( at our expense) for a family vacation in Florida. You mean all of my saved coupons are not good? I never received notice if this either. Very disappointed in Southwest. This is something the OTHER airlines do, not you!
Kim_Euliss
Explorer C
Do I have to be a Rapid Rewars member and/or a Southwest credit card holder to use drink coupons?
Cherie_Carson
Explorer C
I have 4 old drink coupon books. Can I trade them in for new drink coupons? Even if i trade 15 coupons for 4 new ones for my next travel dates July 27-29 thanks for considering,
dan-lafountain
Explorer C
This has been handled very poorly. You send me half a dozen emails every week about a variety of topics, but for something such as this where I have earned these drink coupons I hear nothing? Why didn't you send everyone an email telling them they couldn't use the coupons? I am very disappointed that you chose to post this to a blog I don't read in stead of telling me directly.