Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards Program Wins Best Customer Service and Best Loyalty Credit Card at 26th Annual Freddie Awards

Southwest Airlines' (NYSE: LUV) frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards, won for the second year in a row awards for Best Customer Service and Best Loyalty Credit Card for the Rapid Rewards Chase Premier Card at Inside Flyer magazine's 26th annual Freddie Awards ceremony last week in Seattle. The program also placed in the top two for Best Promotion, Best Elite Program, and Best Redemption Ability.

"Year after year, Rapid Rewards proves its popularity by winning awards voted by those most important to Southwest Airlines—our Customers," said Jonathan Clarkson, Southwest Airlines' Director, Rapid Rewards. "These Freddie Awards illustrate no other airline frequent flier program offers the combination of Customer Service and program value offered by Rapid Rewards."

Each year, InsideFlyer magazine invites members of all frequent traveler programs to vote for the programs they feel deliver the best combination of benefits, awards, and returns on loyalty from the traveler's point of view. Winners are determined not only by how many votes a program receives, but by the overall merits of each program as reflected in "value voting," where voters rate their favorite programs on a scale of one to ten. A record number of 2.9 million frequent travelers from around the globe voted in this year's Freddie Awards.

About Rapid Rewards

Originally launched in 1987, Rapid Rewards Members earn credits by flying or using the frequent flyer program's Preferred Partners. Members can redeem their points for every seat, every day, on every flight with absolutely no blackout dates or seat restrictions, and points won't expire with any earning activity in a 24-month time period. Points are earned for every dollar spent on Southwest flights. The amount of points earned is based on the fare and fare product purchased, and the same is true for redeeming points. Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers can redeem their points for flights to more than 800 international destinations, stays at more than 70,000 hotels worldwide, and gift cards at more than 45 major retailers. Learn more about the program by visiting the Rapid Rewards web site.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 43rd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 96 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries via wholly owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2012 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With Southwest Airlines, Bags Fly Free ® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are no change fees when you need to change your flight. Southwest's fleet offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity over the United States, which enables live and video-on-demand TV currently FREE compliments of DISH, and a new, sustainable cabin interior. Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in May 2011 and by the end of 2014 intends to complete the full integration of the AirTran network into Southwest. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest and AirTran operate more than 3,600 flights a day. Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE
Southwest Airlines, Thais Conway

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