Southwest Doubles the Points on Chicago-California Flights

Traveling between Chicago and either Northern or Southern California through the first quarter of 2012?

The good news for mile-collectors is that there's a frequent flyer battle raging on those routes. So be sure to factor the generous mileage bonuses into your travel planning.

American ignited the mileage slugfest by offering double redeemable miles and double elite-qualifying miles through March 31, 2012, on the following routes:

• Between Chicago and Los Angeles
• Between Chicago and San Francisco

Also:

• Between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Los Angeles
• Between Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Francisco

American's promotion sparked a counterpunch from United, which is also offering double redeemable and double elite-qualifying miles, through January 31, 2012, for United or Continental flights between:

• Chicago and Los Angeles
• Chicago and San Francisco
• Chicago and Orange County

Beginning today, there's a third bonus option: Southwest.

Offer Details

Southwest is offering double Rapid Rewards points—both redeemable points and elite-qualifying points—for travel on the following routes between November 10, 2011, and March 31, 2012:

• Chicago and Los Angeles
• Chicago and Burbank
• Chicago and Ontario
• Chicago and Orange County
• Chicago and San Francisco
• Chicago and Oakland
• Chicago and San Jose
• Chicago and Sacramento

To receive the bonus, bookings must be made by January 15, 2012.

Registration is required and must also be completed by January 15, 2012.

Unlike the American and United promotions, Southwest does not restrict the bonuses to Rapid Rewards members who live in California or Illinois.

Deal or No Deal

If you're a Southwest loyalist—and especially if elite status in Rapid Rewards is a priority—this offer pushes Southwest to the top of the list for travel on the targeted routes. Assuming, of course, that Southwest's fares are competitive with American and United's.

And if you're program-agnostic, Southwest's offer is comparable to those of American and United, giving travelers a robust suite of options for earning significant bonuses on popular routes. Nice!

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• Earn More Shopping Miles From United
• Fly to Tokyo in Business Class for 50,000 AAdvantage Miles
• American Offers Double AAdvantage Miles on Caribbean Flights
• Are Pricier US Airways Miles Still a Buy?
• Double Southwest Points on Baltimore/Washington, Denver, Phoenix Flights
• Alaska Airlines Doubles the Miles for Fall Flights

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