Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Cardmembers had a chance to spend time with the Baltimore Orioles this week during Spring Training at an exclusive meet and greet in Sarasota, Fla.
While some attendees celebrated a significant anniversary and one very happy couple celebrated their honeymoon, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Cardmembers Dean Geber and Lisa Hyatt Geber enjoyed the event with a furry friend who was an instant hit with the Orioles and other Rapid Rewards Members. Married in September 2014, the newlywed Gebers share a passion for baseball and the Spring Training Access Event was the perfect destination for a romantic getaway—for three!
Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers Dean and Lisa decided to take a break. The couple travels weekly—often from Baltimore, Md. to West Palm Beach, Fla.—and before they knew it they had (many) miles to burn. That’s when Dean saw an email from the Southwest Airlines Access Events team offering up the opportunity to redeem points for exclusive events. Their love of Florida and the balmy sunny opposite of Baltimore’s winter weather led them to bid on an exclusive meet and greet in Sarasota, Fla. They—along with 30 other Rapid Rewards Cardmembers—won a chance to meet Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman, but it was Lucas Butters Hyatt Geber who won the hearts of Orioles fans, staff and other Rapid Rewards Cardmembers.
Butters, a three-and-a-half-year-old Maltipoo, is a service dog and frequent flier himself. Dean is accompanied by Butters who will immediately alert officials if Dean experiences any type of health-related episode. “Butters has flown so much in his life that he probably qualifies for A-List Preferred,” said Dean as he enjoyed the game. “This (game) helps take buckets off my list. This is very special. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. This is what life’s all about. Southwest has really helped me experience something I’ve always wanted to do.” All this as Butters sat in his wife Lisa’s lap.
While most fans asked Orioles players to sign a baseball, Butters became an immediate replacement and players began to sign his blue emergency service jacket. “He’s a member of our family and this is a day we won’t forget. I love that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card gave us this unique opportunity,” said Lisa. “Now I can’t wait to see what we’ll sign up for next. Now if only our Rapid Rewards points could buy us a win today.” Butters just watched the game, wearing his signed jacket and hoped for a better outcome for the Orioles vs. Yankees game on Tuesday. It’s a ruff life!
The event was hosted by Southwest Airlines, along with partners Chase and the Baltimore Orioles.
Spring Training is just one of the many Access Events Rapid Rewards Premier Cardmembers have the opportunity to bid on. This is only the third Access Event for 2015 with many more to come. Through the More Rewards platform, Cardmembers aren’t limited to redeeming their points only for flights. Gift cards, merchandise, hotels, reservations, and rental cars are available for redemption, and Cardmembers can bid to attend exclusive Access Events, ranging from Caribbean beach getaways to Vegas weekends.
For more information on Rapid Rewards Access Events take at a look at https://creditcards.chase.com/southwest/events.
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Southwest Airlines has reached a major milestone today in the final stages of the integration of AirTran Airways by launching international flights on Southwest metal to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Mexico City, Mexico!
As of today, all flights previously flown by AirTran between seven international destinations and nine domestic gateway cities are now flown exclusively by Southwest.
Additionally, Southwest is proud to announce that we have finalized the integration of Southwest.com and AirTran.com. Effective today, Customers attempting to access AirTran.com will be routed to an informational page on Southwest.com where they can book travel, view integration-related FAQs, and find loyalty program information.
Also, Rapid Rewards is now the sole loyalty program of the combined carrier, and all A+ Rewards Members who did not already have an account have been enrolled in Rapid Rewards. As a result, former AirTran frequent flyers will now be able to benefit from our unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don’t expire.*
As we near the completion of this momentous integration effort, all AirTran-branded signage in airports systemwide will transition to Southwest signage in an attempt to familiarize our AirTran Customers with the Southwest brand.
By finalizing the integration of our online resources, rewards programs, and airport signage, we are one step closer to our goal of One LUV: One Family.
*Points do not expire as long as you have flight or Partner earning activity every 24 months. Benefits apply to points transactions.
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