Quantcast

Chase considers major changes to Southwest Airlines credit cards amid seating overhaul

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Chase considers major changes to Southwest Airlines credit cards amid seating overhaul
Research
Webp uefmsw7k0lt5f20uxuve40u9xjr0
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Chase is considering significant changes to its Southwest Airlines credit card portfolio, influenced by Southwest's planned move to assigned seating. These potential modifications include raising annual fees, eliminating anniversary points, and introducing a percentage discount on redemptions. Additionally, there may be new benefits related to early boarding or seat upgrades replacing the current Early Bird and Upgraded Boarding credits.

Higher annual fees align with a broader trend in rewards cards as co-brand deals become more costly. American Express has led this shift by increasing fees while adding benefits that are often too niche or cumbersome for many cardmembers to utilize effectively.

Eliminating anniversary points would reduce costs but might also lead to higher attrition rates since these points encourage consumers to retain their cards when annual fees are due. Offering such rewards helps prevent cancellations.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Award discounts for cardmembers could take two forms: Delta’s model, which effectively raises prices for non-cardholders while maintaining the status quo for cardmembers, and United’s approach of providing additional inventory at lower prices without an immediate price increase.

Southwest Airlines' revenue-based redemption system offers a fixed value per point against paid fares. Any reduction in the value per point for non-cardmembers would be transparent as a devaluation rather than a benefit. However, given the Rapid Rewards program's recent devaluation of ~43% over 12 years, some restored value for cardmembers might be feasible.

Currently, premium Southwest cards offer statement credits for four Upgraded Boardings annually when available. If these go away or change with assigned seating, switching to credits for purchasing paid premium seats could be more logical. Under the new model, early boarding will primarily concern overhead bin space rather than seat choice since seating will no longer be first-come, first-served.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The fourth Boeing 777X aircraft, known as WH0004 and registered as N779XZ, is set to conduct test flights soon.

Apr 23, 2025

Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its 2024 airport rankings, confirming that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) remains the busiest airport worldwide.

Apr 23, 2025

Air Canada operates a fleet of long-haul aircraft, with the Boeing 777-300ER boasting the largest passenger capacity.

Apr 23, 2025

World markets are currently experiencing turbulence due to an escalating tariff conflict, a situation that remains uncertain in its outcomes.

Apr 23, 2025

Flying Food Group announced its April Sustainability Report, highlighting new plastic-free office initiatives, distribution of reusable water bottles to employees, support for Earth Day reforestation efforts, and a broader push to promote...

Apr 22, 2025

Emirates has announced a new partnership between its Skywards loyalty program and Emarat's EmCan program, allowing members to convert Skywards Miles into EmCoins and vice versa.

Apr 22, 2025