I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[afan]

From what I can recall, YES - Cap1 biz cards will show up on your personal credit report and will then make you 6/24. On the surface, it seems like you really need to revisit Amex biz cards because I'm not sure there's much else out there that fits what you're looking for. But truthfully, outside of Amex/Citi/Chase, I don't follow things too closely these days.

They are also very inquiry sensitive and aren't they the one that pulls all 3 credit reports when you apply. It's nothing to see denial dps for a cap 1 personal when any other bank would approve you.
I'd def do some research on them, I don't think most churners use them because of the above.

 

[LynnTH]

Looking more and more that our December Cruise will not sail... still hopeful though. Just in case I booked a backup trip to Cabo January 1-8 while the kids are still home from college. Been reading trip forums and seems like it would be easy to social distance at a beach/pool and walking around town and using masks inside (I can do that). Glad for SW Points as I will just cancel whatever one we don't go and get the points back right away. Going to hold off on accommodations until I know more on the cruise.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

A General update of "What's Going On in Churning":
There's been a lot going on in the world of churning lately - and I can guarantee you that this post couldn't possibly cover it all, but I felt like maybe a general update post was warranted.

American Express:

• Amex Offers - keep an eye out as we head into the Christmas "shopping" season as this might bring about a flurry of new Amex offers. Also of note, if you see a card displaying "100 offers" that is the maximum you will be shown. You may actually have additional offers that you cannot see. To show more offers, simply go down the list and start adding things (even if you don't plan to use them) so that your list will show the rest of your offers. People will often come here to the thread to share exciting new Amex Offers, so keep your eye out for those posts!
• Delta Cards - increased bonuses - DoC reported on this a couple of weeks ago but it seems these ones are not all-time high offers and you should likely pass.
• Blue Cash Preferred - $300 Offer - There is an increased offer on the BCP card available via support link giving you a $300 Statement Credit after spending $3,000 within 6 months. This includes a WAIVED 1st year Annual Fee (which is somewhat rare on this card. Apply by 12/10/20 to take advantage of this. This card offers 6% back on groceries too so if you hit the full MSR in the grocery category you could actually get $480 back on $3k in purchases.
• Amex Gold Card - Increased Bonus - The Amex Gold is also offering an ongoing increased bonus of 60k MRs for $4k spend in 6 months available via support link. YMMV but you could also find a 75k offer via incognito browser. DoC writes a little bit more about the various potential Amex Gold offers here.
• Amex Green Card - Increased Bonus - The Amex Green is showing an increased offer via support link of 50k or 60k MRs after spending $2,000 in 6 months. DoC writes about this one here. This card also offers a $10 monthly cell phone credit through the end of the year but at this point in the year that's only worth $30 now.
• Blue Business Card Offers have changed - Awhile back we saw the offers on the Blue Business Preferred (BBP) and Blue Business Cash cards change (and not for the better IMO). The offer is now earn up to $300 in Statement Credits ($100 each from Dell Technologies, DocuSign and FedEx.) For many, BBP was a great card to grab to keep those MRs active with no Annual Fee. We'll continue to monitor this one to see if the bonus goes back to something useful!
• Hilton Cards - I'm not going to attempt to dissect what's going on with Hilton cards. The offers here are ever changing, so do you research if you're interested in one!
• Business Cards - Amex is still approving business cards. Chase pulled back for awhile (more on that in a minute) but Amex never did. Used properly, Amex biz cards are a way to keep your earnings going while resetting your pacing with Chase and/or protecting your 5/24 status. Just keep in mind that the RAT is out there and you need to be a good customer to Amex to keep getting approvals and avoid that nasty popup message!

Chase:

• We are back in "business" - Chase is once again approving Sole Proprietorship businesses. This appears to be YMMV though as we see DPs going both ways of approvals and denials without much rhyme or reason. Many people are leaning towards CIU or CIC as it appears anecdotally that approval changes are higher on these cards (but I don't think there's real data to support that). CIU/CIC offers also require a significantly lower MSR which is likely attracting people as well. Keep in mind that there are currently NO support links for Chase Biz cards so just go with the public offer you feel fits you best. As far as I can tell, everything that we knew about Chase biz cards 6 months ago still seems to hold and nothing has changed on that front (if you can get approved). A whole slew of DPs on approvals/denials can be found here amidst other unrelated comments.
• Freedom Flex (CFF) & Freedom Unlimited (CFU) Offers still going strong - Just a month ago, all the buzz was about the new CFF and enhancements to the CFU which include 3% back on Drugstores as well as a Sign-up Bonus of $200 (20k URs) PLUS 5% back on up to $12k in grocery purchases in the first year available via support link. These are both solid offers and solid cards given the current state of affairs and warrant consideration. There's a lot of information on these cards on DoC which can be found here.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) 80,000 UR bonus - Back in mid-September, the bonus on the CSP card increased to 80k URs for $4k spend in 3 months. Of note, this is NOT currently available via support link so use the public link. A whole thread was created on r/churning about this one although it's full of more stupid questions than insight. I have a comment in there that outlines some important things to keep in mind. This is a GREAT offer and one that warrants consideration. It is is rumored to be going away on 11/8. Also, if you are going for a CSP, you might want to consider whether a MDD is the right move for you, with more details on that here.
• Chase Southwest Card 65,000 RR bonus is STILL alive - These offers which are available via support link say "apply by 9/21" but are STILL LIVE! The easiest way to a SW CP (companion pass) for 2021/2022 is to MDD these offers and wait until after your December statement closes to hit the MSR. Who knows how much longer these links will work, but as we now move into October tomorrow, we are in the heat of Companion Pass season!

So there you have it - as best I can tell that's a good recap of what's going on. I'm sure I missed some things, so please respond and share if you think our group needs to hear about it! If you apply for a card using a support link, reminder that once you're approved, it's good form to PM the person and let them know you used their link (they get a chance to thank you and they can monitor if they've maxed out to remove their link to give others a chance).

If you aren't working on an MSR because you thought churning was "dead"... think again! Get back on the saddle and get yourself a new card!! Happy churning everybody!!

In case somebody didn't read this whole post... just a quick call-out of the LAST point:

The Chase Southwest Card 65,000 RR bonus is STILL alive! (and mind you...tomorrow is 10/1 and we in the midst of companion pass season!!!)

 

[ski_mom]

A General update of "What's Going On in Churning":
There's been a lot going on in the world of churning lately - and I can guarantee you that this post couldn't possibly cover it all, but I felt like maybe a general update post was warranted.

American Express:

• Amex Offers - keep an eye out as we head into the Christmas "shopping" season as this might bring about a flurry of new Amex offers. Also of note, if you see a card displaying "100 offers" that is the maximum you will be shown. You may actually have additional offers that you cannot see. To show more offers, simply go down the list and start adding things (even if you don't plan to use them) so that your list will show the rest of your offers. People will often come here to the thread to share exciting new Amex Offers, so keep your eye out for those posts!
• Delta Cards - increased bonuses - DoC reported on this a couple of weeks ago but it seems these ones are not all-time high offers and you should likely pass.
• Blue Cash Preferred - $300 Offer - There is an increased offer on the BCP card available via support link giving you a $300 Statement Credit after spending $3,000 within 6 months. This includes a WAIVED 1st year Annual Fee (which is somewhat rare on this card. Apply by 12/10/20 to take advantage of this. This card offers 6% back on groceries too so if you hit the full MSR in the grocery category you could actually get $480 back on $3k in purchases.
• Amex Gold Card - Increased Bonus - The Amex Gold is also offering an ongoing increased bonus of 60k MRs for $4k spend in 6 months available via support link. YMMV but you could also find a 75k offer via incognito browser. DoC writes a little bit more about the various potential Amex Gold offers here.
• Amex Green Card - Increased Bonus - The Amex Green is showing an increased offer via support link of 50k or 60k MRs after spending $2,000 in 6 months. DoC writes about this one here. This card also offers a $10 monthly cell phone credit through the end of the year but at this point in the year that's only worth $30 now.
• Blue Business Card Offers have changed - Awhile back we saw the offers on the Blue Business Preferred (BBP) and Blue Business Cash cards change (and not for the better IMO). The offer is now earn up to $300 in Statement Credits ($100 each from Dell Technologies, DocuSign and FedEx.) For many, BBP was a great card to grab to keep those MRs active with no Annual Fee. We'll continue to monitor this one to see if the bonus goes back to something useful!
• Hilton Cards - I'm not going to attempt to dissect what's going on with Hilton cards. The offers here are ever changing, so do you research if you're interested in one!
• Business Cards - Amex is still approving business cards. Chase pulled back for awhile (more on that in a minute) but Amex never did. Used properly, Amex biz cards are a way to keep your earnings going while resetting your pacing with Chase and/or protecting your 5/24 status. Just keep in mind that the RAT is out there and you need to be a good customer to Amex to keep getting approvals and avoid that nasty popup message!

Chase:

• We are back in "business" - Chase is once again approving Sole Proprietorship businesses. This appears to be YMMV though as we see DPs going both ways of approvals and denials without much rhyme or reason. Many people are leaning towards CIU or CIC as it appears anecdotally that approval changes are higher on these cards (but I don't think there's real data to support that). CIU/CIC offers also require a significantly lower MSR which is likely attracting people as well. Keep in mind that there are currently NO support links for Chase Biz cards so just go with the public offer you feel fits you best. As far as I can tell, everything that we knew about Chase biz cards 6 months ago still seems to hold and nothing has changed on that front (if you can get approved). A whole slew of DPs on approvals/denials can be found here amidst other unrelated comments.
• Freedom Flex (CFF) & Freedom Unlimited (CFU) Offers still going strong - Just a month ago, all the buzz was about the new CFF and enhancements to the CFU which include 3% back on Drugstores as well as a Sign-up Bonus of $200 (20k URs) PLUS 5% back on up to $12k in grocery purchases in the first year available via support link. These are both solid offers and solid cards given the current state of affairs and warrant consideration. There's a lot of information on these cards on DoC which can be found here.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) 80,000 UR bonus - Back in mid-September, the bonus on the CSP card increased to 80k URs for $4k spend in 3 months. Of note, this is NOT currently available via support link so use the public link. A whole thread was created on r/churning about this one although it's full of more stupid questions than insight. I have a comment in there that outlines some important things to keep in mind. This is a GREAT offer and one that warrants consideration. It is is rumored to be going away on 11/8. Also, if you are going for a CSP, you might want to consider whether a MDD is the right move for you, with more details on that here.
• Chase Southwest Card 65,000 RR bonus is STILL alive - These offers which are available via support link say "apply by 9/21" but are STILL LIVE! The easiest way to a SW CP (companion pass) for 2021/2022 is to MDD these offers and wait until after your December statement closes to hit the MSR. Who knows how much longer these links will work, but as we now move into October tomorrow, we are in the heat of Companion Pass season!

So there you have it - as best I can tell that's a good recap of what's going on. I'm sure I missed some things, so please respond and share if you think our group needs to hear about it! If you apply for a card using a support link, reminder that once you're approved, it's good form to PM the person and let them know you used their link (they get a chance to thank you and they can monitor if they've maxed out to remove their link to give others a chance).

If you aren't working on an MSR because you thought churning was "dead"... think again! Get back on the saddle and get yourself a new card!! Happy churning everybody!!

Thank you for such a great writeup!!

Is there a specific Amex card that would be recommended just to get some of their Amex Offers? DH and I don't currently have any Amex cards, and I'm really jealous of all of the offers. Maybe it's crazy to get one just for "possible" offers though. DH has never had AmEx cards. I had the Biz Green (8/18) and the Biz Gold (8/17).

Not sure it matters for this conversation, but our stats:
DH:
06/08/20 - Chase Hyatt
02/17/20 -
06/16/19 - Arrival Plus
03/12/19 - CIP
.....
10/13/16 - CSR (so not yet eligible for a sapphire)

Myself:
06/06/20 - Chase Hyatt
01/06/20 - SW Priority Personal
10/10/19 - SW Performance (Biz)
06/06/19 - Arrival Plus
05/28/19 - CIP
01/10/19 -
.....
03/31/17 - CSP
01/03/17 - CSR (Also not eligible for a sapphire)

I just counted ours up and we started this in January of 2016 getting Alaska Airline cards for our trip to Hawaii. After that, we didn't get new cards until October of 2016 (DH got the CSR and I got a CIP). We've gotten 24 cards total between the 2 of us over almost 5 years now. Not nearly as fast as @SouthFayetteFan

 

[becauseimnew]

dh applied Wednesday and did get approved until Monday overnight.

Such a long wait! I just keep checking DH's Chase account since I don't have access to his email

 

[becauseimnew]

Thank you for such a great writeup!!

Is there a specific Amex card that would be recommended just to get some of their Amex Offers? DH and I don't currently have any Amex cards, and I'm really jealous of all of the offers. Maybe it's crazy to get one just for "possible" offers though. DH has never had AmEx cards. I had the Biz Green (8/18) and the Biz Gold (8/17).

Not sure it matters for this conversation, but our stats:
DH:
06/08/20 - Chase Hyatt
02/17/20 -
06/16/19 - Arrival Plus
03/12/19 - CIP
.....
10/13/16 - CSR (so not yet eligible for a sapphire)

Myself:
06/06/20 - Chase Hyatt
01/06/20 - SW Priority Personal
10/10/19 - SW Performance (Biz)
06/06/19 - Arrival Plus
05/28/19 - CIP
01/10/19 -
.....
03/31/17 - CSP
01/03/17 - CSR (Also not eligible for a sapphire)

I just counted ours up and we started this in January of 2016 getting Alaska Airline cards for our trip to Hawaii. After that, we didn't get new cards until October of 2016 (DH got the CSR and I got a CIP). We've gotten 24 cards total between the 2 of us over almost 5 years now. Not nearly as fast as @SouthFayetteFan

From my experience Business cards usually have all the good office supply store offer and personal cards have the good shopping offers.

 

[ski_mom]

Looking more and more that our December Cruise will not sail... still hopeful though. Just in case I booked a backup trip to Cabo January 1-8 while the kids are still home from college. Been reading trip forums and seems like it would be easy to social distance at a beach/pool and walking around town and using masks inside (I can do that). Glad for SW Points as I will just cancel whatever one we don't go and get the points back right away. Going to hold off on accommodations until I know more on the cruise.

Good luck with whatever happens. DH and I went on usually at least one cruise a year (some with, some without kids). I'm really looking forward to cruising again!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you for such a great writeup!!

Is there a specific Amex card that would be recommended just to get some of their Amex Offers? DH and I don't currently have any Amex cards, and I'm really jealous of all of the offers. Maybe it's crazy to get one just for "possible" offers though. DH has never had AmEx cards. I had the Biz Green (8/18) and the Biz Gold (8/17).

Not sure it matters for this conversation, but our stats:
DH:
06/08/20 - Chase Hyatt
02/17/20 -
06/16/19 - Arrival Plus
03/12/19 - CIP
.....
10/13/16 - CSR (so not yet eligible for a sapphire)

Myself:
06/06/20 - Chase Hyatt
01/06/20 - SW Priority Personal
10/10/19 - SW Performance (Biz)
06/06/19 - Arrival Plus
05/28/19 - CIP
01/10/19 -
.....
03/31/17 - CSP
01/03/17 - CSR (Also not eligible for a sapphire)

I just counted ours up and we started this in January of 2016 getting Alaska Airline cards for our trip to Hawaii. After that, we didn't get new cards until October of 2016 (DH got the CSR and I got a CIP). We've gotten 24 cards total between the 2 of us over almost 5 years now. Not nearly as fast as @SouthFayetteFan

So your husband appears to be 2/24. You appear to be 3/24. Getting an Amex card merely for access to Amex offers... may or may not be a good idea. Some of them are pretty good sometimes though!

I think the key is to select a card that you're willing to keep open, pay the Annual Fee on, and continue to spend on some (so you don't run into popup and bonus restriction issues in the future). On the personal card front, that often means Blue Cash Preferred, Gold Card, or Blue Cash Everyday - because all three offer some attractive categories. This would use a 5/24 slot if you did it though... if not, then you look to a biz card instead and there's a lot of different options out there that might draw your eye. For example: The Amex Biz gold allows you to pick 2 categories to earn 4x MRs and that includes restaurants and gas stations as two available categories. The Hilton Biz is offering 130k points bonus and 6x at Gas stations and 3x everywhere else... Just a couple of ideas, not suggesting any of these cards for your particular situation.

 

[happ]

Question for the SW experts and I hope I can explain this clearly. My friend backed out of our Jan marathon trip, so it looks like I'm cancelling. I paid for one way with my SW priority flight credit plus a gift card. Ideally, I'd like to go for another race weekend (hoping for next Nov or maybe Jan 2022). Cancelling the flight would get me a voucher that would expire too soon to use for this purpose. I'd like to just reschedule my flight, but I don't think I'll be able to do that since the schedule won't be released. Is there any way to make this work so that I don't lose the value of my original ticket? Can I reschedule and then reschedule again to get the later date?

 

[jakenjess]

Hello! Newbie here, and looking for what I hope is easy advice!

I'm thinking ahead to retirement, hopefully in four to five years. DH and I are looking to do some lengthy road trips, and we aren't campers so will be staying in hotels. Hampton Inn is our go-to, and we are Hilton Honors members, though we haven't utilized it much.

We have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, but HH is not a travel partner. Right now that's the card we are using for pretty much everything.
We also have an Amex Green card that we rarely use anymore. Do you know if it's possible to PC that to the Amex Hilton Surpass card? Would that be a better card to be using? And do those points ever expire? I don't want to lose any points, since we would be trying to save a few years' worth before retirement.

Thank you so much!

 

[wanderlust7]

Hello! Newbie here, and looking for what I hope is easy advice!

I'm thinking ahead to retirement, hopefully in four to five years. DH and I are looking to do some lengthy road trips, and we aren't campers so will be staying in hotels. Hampton Inn is our go-to, and we are Hilton Honors members, though we haven't utilized it much.

We have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, but HH is not a travel partner. Right now that's the card we are using for pretty much everything.
We also have an Amex Green card that we rarely use anymore. Do you know if it's possible to PC that to the Amex Hilton Surpass card? Would that be a better card to be using? And do those points ever expire? I don't want to lose any points, since we would be trying to save a few years' worth before retirement.

Thank you so much!

No, you can't PC the Green to the Hilton since it needs to be within the same family. However, you can use the Green to refer your DH to the Surpass (or vice versa) for some extra MR - just don't self refer.

Hilton points usually expire 12 months after the last activity. If you put regular spend on the Surpass, then you'll always have points going into the account. It's a good idea to put regular spend on Amex cards anyways to avoid the pop-up when you apply for another card and they say you're not eligible for the bonus.

You may know this already, but you can book most hotels (no Disney) through the Chase portal. With your CSP, you get 1.25 cents per point. It can be a better value than booking with HH points, but you may not get any of the status benefits.

 

[Minnie368]

From what I can recall, YES - Cap1 biz cards will show up on your personal credit report and will then make you 6/24. On the surface, it seems like you really need to revisit Amex biz cards because I'm not sure there's much else out there that fits what you're looking for. But truthfully, outside of Amex/Citi/Chase, I don't follow things too closely these days.

Thanks for the advice and you're right there's not much else out there. So I went ahead and applied for the Hilton biz card with DH referral and was approved just a few minutes ago. I got the Chase Marriott card earlier this month and have almost met the MSR already, so I hate to be without one with Christmas coming up. I think I'll have no problem meeting the MSR plus continuing to put some spend on my other cards. Hoping Chase continues to ease up on business apps so that by the time I'm ready I can get back into it!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: 140k Offer is BACK!
From the blog View From the Wing (VFTW) - the all-time high offer of 140k is back: (matching the offer that was around during the first half of 2020)

https://viewfromthewing.com/ihg-cards-brand-new-best-ever-140000-point-offer/
This card includes some great benefits including Platinum status, a reward night at your account anniversary year each year, and a reward night benefit on points stays of 4 or more nights, (basically this seems to be a 4th night FREE benefit when using points!)

For an annual fee of $89, it's a pretty good deal (oh and also includes a GE or TSA credit).

This card is subject to the 5/24 rule and is a personal card and will add to your "5" count. I'm not sure what the support link offer is on this card, or if this offer will come to support links. I've been out of the IHG game personally for over 4 years but passing this along because it is a GREAT offer.

As you probably realize, hotel points valuations can be all over the place but I'd say the points alone here are worth a solid $600-$700 (with the potential for much more), not to mention the value of the numerous other benefits that come with this card.

 

[snugglebug]

Question for the SW experts and I hope I can explain this clearly. My friend backed out of our Jan marathon trip, so it looks like I'm cancelling. I paid for one way with my SW priority flight credit plus a gift card. Ideally, I'd like to go for another race weekend (hoping for next Nov or maybe Jan 2022). Cancelling the flight would get me a voucher that would expire too soon to use for this purpose. I'd like to just reschedule my flight, but I don't think I'll be able to do that since the schedule won't be released. Is there any way to make this work so that I don't lose the value of my original ticket? Can I reschedule and then reschedule again to get the later date?

I think you'd get travel funds if you cancel, then you can convert those to points which don't expire. You have through 12/15 to convert funds as of right now.

ETA:
I don't know if "held funds" differ from travel funds.

A Southwest gift card redeemed for travel is not refundable. If travel is not taken, the funds will be held funds with an expiration date. If applied with any other accepted form(s) of payment, the earliest expiration date of all forms of payment applies. If you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking and all or part of the reservation was paid using a Southwest gift card, please visit our Refunds page for more information.​

 

[wanderlust7]

I think you'd get travel funds if you cancel, then you can convert those to points which don't expire. You have through 12/15 to convert funds as of right now.

Unfortunately, any travel funds created now are not eligible to be converted to points (this ended on 9/7). Funds you already have can be converted through 12/15.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I'm looking for a new biz card since I'm at 5/24. Wish I had known Chase was going to begin loosening up on biz approvals before I went for that last personal card a few weeks ago. Now I'm looking for a non-Chase biz card to fill the gap till I drop to 4/24 in February. Currently I hold the Citi AA biz, Barclay AA biz, Amex BBP. None of the current amex business cards are too appealing to me right now so I was looking at Capital One. But I remember there being something different about them. Do they report business cards to your personal credit report? I know the inquiry would show up, but do they report it as a new account also which would look to Chase like 6/24? If so, any suggestions on biz cards that do cash back or some type of flexible rewards? Something besides airline or hotel specific?

Thanks for the advice and you're right there's not much else out there. So I went ahead and applied for the Hilton biz card with DH referral and was approved just a few minutes ago. I got the Chase Marriott card earlier this month and have almost met the MSR already, so I hate to be without one with Christmas coming up. I think I'll have no problem meeting the MSR plus continuing to put some spend on my other cards. Hoping Chase continues to ease up on business apps so that by the time I'm ready I can get back into it!

I'm a little late in responding since you already went for the Hilton Biz, but I wanted to suggest US Bank and BoA biz cards. I've gotten 2 US Bank biz cards and a BoA biz card in between Chase apps when I was without an MSR. I'm planning on going for a WF biz once my personal checking account has been open for a year sometime next year.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Question for the SW experts and I hope I can explain this clearly. My friend backed out of our Jan marathon trip, so it looks like I'm cancelling. I paid for one way with my SW priority flight credit plus a gift card. Ideally, I'd like to go for another race weekend (hoping for next Nov or maybe Jan 2022). Cancelling the flight would get me a voucher that would expire too soon to use for this purpose. I'd like to just reschedule my flight, but I don't think I'll be able to do that since the schedule won't be released. Is there any way to make this work so that I don't lose the value of my original ticket? Can I reschedule and then reschedule again to get the later date?

Short of Southwest renewing their previous policy of extending travel funds (which expired on 9/7) I think you are basically stuck with whatever expiration date you have on these funds. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot "game" their system by continually changing your flight to a future date.

 

[snugglebug]

Check this:

To qualify, your travel fund a) must expire September 7, 2022



I just happen to be on the site right now trying to locate travel funds lol

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Check this:

To qualify, your travel fund a) must expire September 7, 2022

View attachment 529025

I just happen to be on the site right now trying to locate travel funds lol

Unless something changes, @wanderlust7 is correct. I've detailed this previously in these comments:

Southwest Travel Fund Extension Deadline (possibly?) approaching soon:
Per the Southwest COVID response webpage we are quickly approaching an important date that I've yet to see extended. That webpage says:

• If you decide not to travel, as long as you cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before its scheduled departure, the funds used to pay for a nonrefundable ticket (Wanna Get Away® fares) are normally valid for one year from the date of purchase.
• However, in recognition of the current travel environment, we are extending the expiration date of some travel funds:
  • Customers’ funds that have expired or will expire between March 1, 2020 and September 7, 2020, will now expire September 7, 2022.
  • Any travel funds created because you cancel a flight between March 1 – September 7, 2020, will expire September 7, 2022.
• For recently cancelled tickets and newly created travel funds, it may take up to five business days for the expiration date to change to September 7, 2022. Typically, the expiration date is updated at midnight after the fund creation.

My Thoughts:
I feel like some sort of update/extension has to come out on this... but if no action is taken, as currently worded, these extensions will not apply to credits created after Monday. And this matters even more BECAUSE...

• Through December 15, 2020, qualified travel funds that are set to expire September 7, 2022 can be converted into Rapid Rewards points.
• BUT to qualify, your travel fund must expire September 7, 2022,
• You have until December 15, 2020 to complete the conversion (which I will add is non-reversible).

So if Sept 7, 2020 is the last date to take advantage of the travel fund extension...it's also potentially the last day to create a fund that can then be converted into points despite the fact that you have until Dec 15th to actually complete the conversion. Lots to ponder here...and hopefully there's some sort of extension that renders this all void, but keep it in mind for now!

An update to this quoted comment:

Regarding Southwest previously extending travel credits to 9/7/2022 - Southwest has now added the following text to their COVID response page

• Beginning September 8, 2020, any travel funds created from a nonrefundable, Wanna Get Away® ticket can be used for up to one year from the original purchase date.

Basically, this confirms (for now) that travel funds from cancelled flights is back to normal AND that converting travel funds to points is basically limited to the pool of funds you currently hold with a 9/7/22 expiration date. Barring any further changes, you have until December 15, 2020 to elect to transfer those funds to points.

If anybody cancels a flight now, it will retain it's ORIGINAL expiration date. It will not receive an extension to 9/7/2022 and thus will not be eligible to be converted to points. Now, Southwest could change their mind on that, but that is unfortunately how it works right now.

 

[snugglebug]

Unless something changes, @wanderlust7 is correct. I've detailed this previously in these comments:


If anybody cancels a flight now, it will retain it's ORIGINAL expiration date. It will not receive an extension to 9/7/2022 and thus will not be eligible to be converted to points. Now, Southwest could change their mind on that, but that is unfortunately how it works right now.

My eyes are throwing the word "by" in there. Expiration must BE 9/7/22.