2 free roundtrip tickets

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This would be fine with us! So i'm assuming as soon as people get through security, they line up right at the gate even though the flight may not be for another hour and a half or so?

No. Everyone gets a numbered boarding pass and boards in number order, so no need to line up hours in advance.

 

[Frannie115]

Flew SW twice and it is a great airline. The boarding process is not a big deal for us.

I will definitely check out this credit card. We plan on driving to Disney in June. Love to fly.

 

[axfather]

has the fewest restrictions for this type of thing, but that does not mean "few".

 

[hoffmann2828]

Does anyone know how many credits or points you need to redeem a flight (approximate, I know with the new program it will vary by flight.) I see that it takes $1200 to get one point, so if it requires a ton of points, we may never get any!

I believe it's 1 credit = 1200 points. Then you earn points based on how much your flight costs - so people who spend the money for an "anytime fare" get rewarded more instead of getting 1 credit just like the people who bought the getaway fare.

 

[rnorwo1]

I believe it's 1 credit = 1200 points. Then you earn points based on how much your flight costs - so people who spend the money for an "anytime fare" get rewarded more instead of getting 1 credit just like the people who bought the getaway fare.

Thanks... what I'm more interested in is how many points will it take to redeem a free flight. So if it takes 10, then that's $12000 (appx, I kow the points will vary based on purchases and the points required to redeem will vary also) you will have to spend to get one free flight! Not sure we'd ever earn one if that's the case!

 

[hoffmann2828]

Thanks... what I'm more interested in is how many points will it take to redeem a free flight. So if it takes 10, then that's $12000 (appx, I kow the points will vary based on purchases and the points required to redeem will vary also) you will have to spend to get one free flight! Not sure we'd ever earn one if that's the case!

You are not getting the conversion right.

It doesn't take "credits" anymore (after March). The credit to point ratio is for the conversion from current credits to new points.

Free flights (after March) will be based on fare type. We only buy "wanna get away fares, so that is what I figured out. For Wanna Get Away fares, it is 60 points per dollar of the fare. So, if the fare is $99 each way (I'll use $100 just for easy math sake), then it would be roughly $200 round trip fare - so you would take 200 and multiply it by 60. So, you would need 12,000 POINTS to redeem for that flight.

Based on the old system, you would need 16 credits for the free flight. The new system you would only need the equivalent of 10 credits - so the average joe does earn flights faster!

Jenny


ETA: I did reread your post - maybe we are saying the same thing. You are talking about regular purchases earning flights, right? Then yes, it will take a while to earn flights if you just use it for regular purchases. If you get 1 point per dollar, then you would need to purchase $12,000 in order to earn enough for 1 flight.

But, if you compare that to the Disney Visa, you would earn only $120, so it is a better return if you use the card enough.

 

[rnorwo1]

ETA: I did reread your post - maybe we are saying the same thing. You are talking about regular purchases earning flights, right? Then yes, it will take a while to earn flights if you just use it for regular purchases. If you get 1 point per dollar, then you would need to purchase $12,000 in order to earn enough for 1 flight.

But, if you compare that to the Disney Visa, you would earn only $120, so it is a better return if you use the card enough.

Thanks, that is exactly what I was meaning, sorry for being unclear! I've been looking for something different than the disney visa b/c it is such a low reward, so now I have more info to decide if this is the one for us or if we should keep looking. Thanks again!

 

[Plum Pirate]

Thanks OP for this great tip!

First, to those who asked, we love Southwest and prefer to fly with them. It is a very reliable airline (we have only experienced weather-related delays). We have never had trouble getting 4 seats together even with B seating. If you have C seating, it could be an issue. My only complaint is once they left our luggage outside at Orlando during a thunderstorm and by the time we arrived home, everything inside was soaked, including my very expensive flat iron, which I had to replace. So now I place things in plastic bags before placing them inside the suitcase. But I digress.

I found a link to the site with 2 free flights after a purchase with the annual fee. I could not find any information on earning gift cards - has this offer expired or was it direct-marketed to certain people?

Does anyone have a telephone number to call to inquire about an account? I would prefer to speak to a human before submitting an application online.

Finally, and this is important to me, does anyone know if the two free flights must be used within a certain amount of time? We are not planning to fly anywhere this year, but hope to take a Florida vacation in November 2012. If I would need to use them before then, they are of limited value to me.

Thanks for any info.

 

[cepmom]

Thanks OP for this great tip!

First, to those who asked, we love Southwest and prefer to fly with them. It is a very reliable airline (we have only experienced weather-related delays). We have never had trouble getting 4 seats together even with B seating. If you have C seating, it could be an issue. My only complaint is once they left our luggage outside at Orlando during a thunderstorm and by the time we arrived home, everything inside was soaked, including my very expensive flat iron, which I had to replace. So now I place things in plastic bags before placing them inside the suitcase. But I digress.

I found a link to the site with 2 free flights after a purchase with the annual fee. I could not find any information on earning gift cards - has this offer expired or was it direct-marketed to certain people?

Does anyone have a telephone number to call to inquire about an account? I would prefer to speak to a human before submitting an application online.

Finally, and this is important to me, does anyone know if the two free flights must be used within a certain amount of time? We are not planning to fly anywhere this year, but hope to take a Florida vacation in November 2012. If I would need to use them before then, they are of limited value to me.

Thanks for any info.

with the current Rapid Rewards program, when you earn enough credits for an award, the award will expire 1 year from the date of issue. When the new program rolls over on 3/1/11, whatever credits you currently have in your account will transfer as well to the new points and from what I understand, the points will never expire. I assume that if you were to do this offer, you would be able to use the credits/points for your trip in 2012.

 

[shaylyn]

Love Southwest and their 2 bags fly free (seems like not long ago everyone did that, lol)

Don't love their boarding, since we have children, but we deal with it.

 

[momx2]

Would it be possible for Dh and I to each open up an account to get 4 tickets?

We need to buy 6 tickets to Orlando this fall. Prices have gone way up in the past few weeks. It sure would help to get 4 of those 6 tickets free!

Love Southwest and their 2 bags fly free (seems like not long ago everyone did that, lol)

Don't love their boarding, since we have children, but we deal with it.

I'm wondering the same thing....and also, if there are any restrictions on the free roundtrip flights and/or are they for anywhere Southwest flys?

 

[cepmom]

I'm wondering the same thing....and also, if there are any restrictions on the free roundtrip flights and/or are they for anywhere Southwest flys?

I dont see why not...one cc account per person
currently there are blackout dates for award travel and some seat restrictions (not every seat will be an "award seat", but when the new program rolls over, apparantly there will be no restrictions and no black out dates. You can use the awards to fly anywhere SW flies
here's a link to the SW Rapid Reward FAQ section:


http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-extras/promotions/rapid-rewards-all-new.html

 

[gracie1]

Do they do instant approval online? I was thinking of applying but am a little hesitant. If I do, I have to make a purchase and then they will credit my account for two free airline tickets? Do they just put on the account 'two free tickets'? How do they know how many points or whatever you call them to credit me?

 

[cepmom]

Do they do instant approval online? I was thinking of applying but am a little hesitant. If I do, I have to make a purchase and then they will credit my account for two free airline tickets? Do they just put on the account 'two free tickets'? How do they know how many points or whatever you call them to credit me?

when I applied online for mine, it did not approve instantly, but I had my card in the mail in about 2 weeks. Once you make a purchase, and when the statement closes, you will see 38,400 points ~ (1200 points = 1 credit, 16 credits gets you an award)on your statement that will get transferred to your rapid rewards account and shown as "credits". In your rapid rewards account you will see 32 credits which will issue 2 "awards". Award tickets are used to redeem for flights.

However, the plan is changing on 3/1. points from the credit card will still transfer to the rapid reward account and then you redeem those points to "pay" for your flight. the amount of points needed depends on the cost of the flight. slightly more confusing than the old plan, but it's still a great deal to get two free flights.

 

[haley's mom]

I applied a few days back and was approved. It stated I would get my card and all details in the mail in about 2 weeks.

So, my question is how fast for the rewards to show up? If I get my card in 2 weeks and make a purchase right away, how soon until the credits show up? Do I need to wait until the purchase is paid for with a statement bill? Or does it credit instantly?

I'm asking because I want to use the credits for a November trip and am hoping to get the credits in time!

TIA.

 

[cepmom]

I applied a few days back and was approved. It stated I would get my card and all details in the mail in about 2 weeks.

So, my question is how fast for the rewards to show up? If I get my card in 2 weeks and make a purchase right away, how soon until the credits show up? Do I need to wait until the purchase is paid for with a statement bill? Or does it credit instantly?

I'm asking because I want to use the credits for a November trip and am hoping to get the credits in time!

TIA.

the credits will show once the credit card statement closes. so if you get the card in 2 weeks and make a purchase right away, you should see the credit within the month, depending on your closing date.I believe when you call to activate the card, you can pick your closing date

 

[gracie1]

Thanks cepmom. So basically they award you the 38,400 points. But aren't the points spent depending on the cost of tickets at the time? Say I have 38,400 points and airline tickets are $120 roundtrip. I wait to book and the airline tickets jump to $400 roundtrip. Those points are still going to cover tickets that people paid $120 for and cover me for $400??

 

[cepmom]

Thanks cepmom. So basically they award you the 38,400 points. But aren't the points spent depending on the cost of tickets at the time? Say I have 38,400 points and airline tickets are $120 roundtrip. I wait to book and the airline tickets jump to $400 roundtrip. Those points are still going to cover tickets that people paid $120 for and cover me for $400??

after 3/1, then yes the points will be used to "pay" for the tickets. How many points you use depends on the price of the flight and which fare you purchase (wanna get away, business select etc)


So, say you want to book a "wanna get away fare" and the price for one way is $100. For this type of fare, the points needed are 60 points per dollar, so 6000 points are needed. So if you were to book 2 round trip tickets at a price of $100 each way,you would "spend" 24000 (6000 points each way x 2 tickets) points out of your 38,400, so you are actually going to have points left over. But if the fare costs more, you are going to need to spend more points to "pay" for it. Does that make sense?

 

[gracie1]

after 3/1, then yes the points will be used to "pay" for the tickets. How many points you use depends on the price of the flight and which fare you purchase (wanna get away, business select etc)


So, say you want to book a "wanna get away fare" and the price for one way is $100. For this type of fare, the points needed are 60 points per dollar, so 6000 points are needed. So if you were to book 2 round trip tickets at a price of $100 each way,you would "spend" 24000 (6000 points each way x 2 tickets) points out of your 38,400, so you are actually going to have points left over. But if the fare costs more, you are going to need to spend more points to "pay" for it. Does that make sense?

This makes complete sense!! Thank you for explaining. I was sitting here thinking why would I be able to get the same tickets with a higher price than someone else. I knew I was missing something!! Thank you for being so patient with me!! So if I were to get the new cc, I would basically get credited my 38,400 points and then since I wouldn't be booking until November flights are up, i would be under the new rapid rewards program. Hmm...something to think about.
On the website where did you find that it says you are credited with 38,400 points and all of that information?

 

[cepmom]

This makes complete sense!! Thank you for explaining. I was sitting here thinking why would I be able to get the same tickets with a higher price than someone else. I knew I was missing something!! Thank you for being so patient with me!! So if I were to get the new cc, I would basically get credited my 38,400 points and then since I wouldn't be booking until November flights are up, i would be under the new rapid rewards program. Hmm...something to think about.
On the website where did you find that it says you are credited with 38,400 points and all of that information?

No problem! the info on the 38,400 points for opening the cc is not on the website...I just know that from opening my own account. We fly Sw all the time and use the cc for almost every expense we can, so I just have a lot of experience with how the points transfer from the cc to the rapid rewards accounts and awards etc.

But that info should be somewhat explained on the credit card application website (maybe in teeny tiny small print!)