President George W. Bush recently signed a transportation appropriations bill containing language that exempts Missouri from federal restrictions placed on Dallas Love Field airport. This exemption has made it possible for Love Field carriers (Southwest, in particular), to initiate new service in December from Dallas to Kansas City and St. Louis.

Southwest lost little time in announcing that it will offer Rapid Rewards members three credits for each one-way flight booked between Dallas and St. Louis or Kansas City on southwest.com or SWAbiz.com and flown by April 30. Since it normally only takes 16 credits in 24 months to receive an award on Southwest, this deal could have you flying free in as few as three roundtrips.

In addition, Southwest partner Alamo Rent A Car is offering triple credit to sweeten the deal. Members who rent with Alamo will receive triple Rapid Rewards credit (1.5 credits vs. the standard 0.5 credits per rental) for any vehicle rental of two or more days in Dallas, Kansas City, or St. Louis through April 30.

But Southwest isn’t the only one pushing the new routes. To launch its new flight service from Dallas Love Field to Kansas City, St. Louis, Austin and San Antonio, American Airlines is offering AAdvantage members up to 60,000 bonus miles. Through May 26, members who fly three roundtrips between Dallas Love Field or DFW International Airport, and Kansas City, St. Louis, Austin or San Antonio, will earn 30,000 bonus miles (enough miles for a MileSAAver award within the Continental U.S., or between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean). The award can be earned a maximum of two times during the promotional period.