Earlier this week, the Southwest Airlines shopping portal (Rapid Rewards Shopping) offered 15 points per dollar when shopping at Sears.com. In the post “Sears 15X: Leveraging the deal” I showed a number of ways one could capitalize on the opportunity. In the post “Sears 15X: Free Southwest Companion Pass” I showed how one could (theoretically) earn a Southwest companion pass by buying and selling gift cards. And, in the post “Sears 15X: Shopping for 110,000 points” I showed how one could earn 110,000 Southwest points by double-dipping: buy gift cards for 15X and then use them to buy merchandise for another 15X. It’s not easy, but it is possible to find merchandise that can be resold at an acceptable loss.
The 15X deal is no longer available, but let’s take a look at what we’ve learned so far:
The double dip worked!
A number of people who bought eGift cards and then used them to buy merchandise have reported that their points have already posted within the portal! My points showed up this morning:
Reports from those who have shopped this portal before suggest that it will be a while before the points become real. We will likely see these points post to our actual Southwest accounts by early July.
Purchases of physical gift cards worked!
There was some concern that physical gift cards wouldn’t get 15X because of a message that said they were sold and shipped by KMart (not Sears). At least one reader, though, has reported getting all 15X points from their purchase!
Not all went well
Here are some issues that have been reported by readers:
- A few people received messages from Sears that the ordered merchandise was out of stock. These messages arrived too late to get 15X by buying something else.
- Sears outright cancelled some orders without explanation.
- One reader reported trouble from PlasticJungle. When he tried to sell his gift cards, PlasticJungle canceled the order.
- One reader received less than 15X for a part of their order.
As a result of some of the issues listed here, some of you are stuck with lots of Sears’ gift cards. I’ll follow up later with suggestions for how to get the most out of them.
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Medman: I need to sell one more item and then I’ll publish the outcome.
Has anyone received an update here?
I noticed today that Sears dropped the price on one of the (8) tablets I purchased by $20. Their stated policy is that they will match the sales price if you submit the claim within 14 days. My question – do you think that they would refund the entire purchase (thus wiping out all the points I received!) and re-process the order? Or do you think they would credit me the difference? I’d love to get back $160, but am a little hesitant to risk losing everything!
Erik: It can’t hurt to ask Sears. They know people buy things just for the miles.
I went to two Kmarts to upgrade my Sears cards to prepaid Mastercards. The first cashier wouldn’t let me but the second one would. Phew. You have to pay 5.95 for the activation fee but you lose less than if you sold it back to Plastic Jungle.
iLoveStudyAbroad: I can’t believe this worked for you! When I tried, the cashier was happy to try it, but the register wouldn’t allow it
Bought 5 items that are $20 cheaper now. Does anyone know if filing for a price match will nullify points?
Econjon: i don’t know
I called Rapid Rewards Shopping and they confirmed that the points earned count toward companion pass but NOT A-plus status.
good point. I always follow the never call rule personally.
Ks1: it’s probably not a glitch — more likely SW employees don’t understand that the mall points are supposed to count. But, in case it is a glitch, it’s a good idea not to rub it in their noses
How is it a glitch for RR to issue Companion for spend? They do it for CC spend as well??
Benjamin: good point!
@Benjamin Agreed!!
I should remind everyone that’s it’s probably not a good idea to badger Rapid Rewards about this until the points actually post. They might not like the idea of giving out so many CP’s via a glitch they’ve previously ignored.
I have other Shopping mall purchase that have posted to my account and are listed as companion pass qualifying points.
Paul, I would love to see the email text if you’re able.
I have an official email from Southwest that they do NOT count towards a CP.