Southwest extends frequent flyer program

Discount carrier Southwest Airlines announced today it would be expanding its Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program.

Effective immediately, the airline will give frequent flyer members 24 months to earn credits towards free travel, an increase from the previous level of 12 months.

Southwest will also remove system blackout dates and implement seat restrictions for Reward travel.

This news will make it easier than ever for flyers on Southwest to obtain cheap airfares.

Under the program's rules, travelers who fly eight round-trip flights on Southwest are given a "Reward" which is usually a travel voucher, or in some cases, a free flight. The longer period to redeem rewards means even more discount airfares will be available from Southwest Airlines.

Research done by the airline revealed that flyers wanted more time to earn credits toward discount travel, without the system-wide blackout dates for Reward travel.

Members' existing credits will be extended for an additional 12 months, giving current members two years to earn free travel on Southwest.

Joyce Rogge, senior vice president of marketing at Southwest, believes this is a great opportunity to find a discount airfare.

She said: "This change will give more customers the chance to take advantage of the Rapid Rewards program's benefits and fly for free."

In 2003 and 2004, more than five million travel rewards were redeemed through Southwest's Rapid Rewards program, one of the highest redemption rates in the U.S. airline industry.

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