The IdeaWorksCompany annual CarTrawler Reward Seat Availability Survey shows that low-cost carriers Southwest and JetBlue provide U.S. travelers with the lowest average reward seat costs. This conclusion stems from an analysis of domestic frequent-flyer programs that calculate accrual based on ticket price rather than miles flown.
The study compares JetBlue and Southwest with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—carriers that also base accrual on fares paid. For passengers purchasing low-fare economy tickets without elite status, JetBlue’s TrueBlue and Southwest’s Rapid Rewards programs both award points at a rate of six points per dollar, while the other legacy carriers award roughly five miles or points per dollar.
On a round-trip basis, average reward redemption levels are substantially lower for the two low-cost carriers: Southwest averages about 9,300 points per round trip and JetBlue about 15,849 points. By contrast, Delta’s average round-trip reward price is approximately 23,443 points, American Airlines averages slightly above 30,000 points, and United averages nearly 34,000 points.
IdeaWorksCompany also examined trends by comparing current figures to data from 2013. Over the past four years Southwest’s average reward price has declined slightly, by under 1 percent, while JetBlue’s average rose by roughly the same amount. Delta made the most significant improvement, reducing its average reward price by nearly 20 percent. American achieved a modest reduction of about 2 percent, whereas United increased its average reward prices by nearly 30 percent.
Taken together, the survey highlights how accrual method and program earning rates can influence the cost of reward travel. Travelers focused on minimizing points spent for domestic round trips may find better value with carriers that award points based on ticket price and offer higher earning rates per dollar—factors that have kept Southwest and JetBlue’s redemption levels comparatively low.