There's a Southwest 737 for sale on Facebook -- really
I just checked the couch cushions and my daughter's piggy-bank. Sadly, no, I don't have $550,000 to spare.
But if I did, I would seriously consider buying a used Boeing 737-300 that's sitting out in the California desert.
What AvGeek wouldn't?
I mean, I've already purchased part of a retired Delta Air Lines DC-9.
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Acquired by Southwest Airlines in 1996, this jet still has the famous beige-and-blue coach seats and Southwest "canyon blue" livery. What it doesn't have: two engines.
A pair of engines can set you back a few million dollars, but this plane could still be considered "a deal." Consider this: The list price for Boeing's smallest 737 (the 737-700) is $89.1 million, though airlines typically negotiate steep discounts.
TPG couldn't verify the legitimacy of the Facebook ad for this plane, but the jet with tail number N630WN has been at an aircraft storage facility in Victorville, California, since Aug. 15, 2017. So it seems like a real possibility that this bird is in need of a new home.
Sure, it's seen better days, but close your eyes for a minute and imagine all the possibilities — all the ways you could give this iconic plane a new dry lease on life:
- Keep the Southwest livery but only fly the plane to Northeastern cities.
- Rip out all the coach seats and replace them with couches and lie-flat beds, but still keep Southwest's open-seating policy.
- Turn it into a restaurant but only serve peanuts and Wild Turkey bourbon.
- Make it a hotel or vacation rental. Kids can sleep in the overhead bins.
- Turn it into a really long bus and drive it between Dallas and Houston.
- Open the world's first mid-air bowling alley.
- Cut it up and sell windows to AvGeeks and Instagram stars who are stuck at home but who want to pretend they're flying.
Of course, if you can afford this plane -- plus a pair of new engines, the cost of jet fuel, maintenance, and airport parking and landing fees — you could find yourself with a cool new ride.
Unfortunately, my wife probably wouldn't be too pleased with this impulse buy. So instead, I'm going to continue racking up frequent flyer miles for my next trip, skip this purchase and keep my marriage intact.
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- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
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10X | Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site |
5X | Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas |
1X | Earn 1x points on all other purchases |
Intro Offer
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travelEarn 10,000 Bonus PointsAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The revamped Wander Card from Credit One Bank earns cardmembers up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also great for international travel. However, points earned from this card can only be used at a fixed value, so it may not be the best option for those striving to get maximum value from their rewards.Pros
- This card has no foreign transaction fees and earns up to 10 points per dollar on travel purchases through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Cons
- While cardholders can earn a significant amount of points on travel purchases, there isn't any way to redeem points from the Wander Card for maximum value (beyond 1 cent per point).
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
- See Rates & Fees