Need a Southwest card/points primer

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I got mine in April and already used most of the 50,000 points in July for a flight. I am thinking of getting the SW business and get a companion pass but in 2015 we will probably only fly two times so I'm debating if it's worth it. DH doesn't have one in his name yet, so may be better to wait til January and see if they have an offer then.

In order to do this, you would have to get the another SWA with 50,000 point offer in 2014. You must earn the 110K points by Dec 31, 2014 in order to get a companion pass. Come Jan 1 ,015 you points earned calendar zero's out and you must then earn 110K in 2015 in order to get the companion pass. The companion passes are earn by the calendar year not by the 12 month count from the first SWA cc you opened. That does not mean that your RR acct has a zero balance. Any points you earned are yours to keep but the point counter - AKA the counter that keeps track of how many points you have earned in a calendar year will be zero come Jan 1 of each calendar year.

 

[gigi1313]

DH currently has the regular SWA card and has had it for years (maybe 5+); is he eligible for the Premier SWA card w/50,000 pt bonus? He also owns his own business, is he eligible for the business card w/50,000 pt bonus? If so, we may have two companion passes in our future! (But obviously already being halfway through October, if the answers to my questions are yes, we should wait 'til Jan 2015, so as to have free companion for the balance of '15 and all of '16?)

 

[nickle831]

Yes, I used the same link & I got the points. FYI, the T&C for the points doesn't show up in the chase section for your CC, you will need to call SW if you need additional confirmation of the points/spend requirement (or are just paranoid like I am )

LOL thanks, ya I'm just paranoid.

 

[elleavon]

The swa cc are great..great deal,great services. The companion pass is awesome. Let's do an example....
Let's say its Jan. 15,2014. I apply for swa basic card,with a 69.00 annual fee,and a 50k bonus - I reach my min. Spend,pay it off in full in Feb. 2014, when statement closes. 8 get 50k points in my rapid rewards acct. March 2014, I apply for and get the swa card with the 99.00 fee....and 50k bonus offer. Reach min. Spend,and pay in full in April of 2014, as in previous month.
BOTH of these cards are mine,in my name,same rr. Acct. I now have 104,000 points in my swa rapid rewards acct. I use one of those cards for everything, and spend another 6k by August 2014- statement closes,and I now have 110,000 points in my rr acct. I automatically get the companion pass,which is valid until the end of the NEXT calendar year. (dec. 2015) yes,the NEXT. Calendar year end. I name my DH as my companion....then I use my rr points to book my flights,and my dh's flights I book using that companion pass,till Dec. 2015.
All this spending MUST occur within ONE calendar year.(Jan-Dec)
So total out of pocket is 168.00..... Plus using the cc's for ALL regular spending anyway. If I plan well that is 1000's of dollars saved in free travel.
This is an EXAMPLE....what you could do,if your circumstances/ credit/payscheck works with this, (never ever carry a balance,which diminishes the returns)
Even just ONE swa cc is valuable. 50k points takes a family of 4 to Orlando at least once r/t, minimum.

Thank you for the succinct synopsis.
DO I have to save up the 110,000 points to get the companion pass? That is, can I start using the first 50,000 points for flights right away? I have an offer for hubby sitting here right now. We could apply now, and start charging in January to fuel the dream of a 2015-2016 companion pass.

 

[gigi1313]

Thank you for the succinct synopsis.
DO I have to save up the 110,000 points to get the companion pass? That is, can I start using the first 50,000 points for flights right away? I have an offer for hubby sitting here right now. We could apply now, and start charging in January to fuel the dream of a 2015-2016 companion pass.

Unless you are going to be able to earn the 110,000 between now and 12/31, you might be best off waiting 'til 1/1/15 to apply as the points have to be earned in the same calendar (1/1-12/31) year... so anything you earn between now and 12/31, if under 110,000 gets wiped clean and you have to re-earn all 110,000 points in 2015!

Yes, you can use the points, you do not have to save them...

 

[Marie17]

Thanks for all the information!

A question - if you are going to apply for the 50k bonus rapid reward points this year (lets say November) and purchase $1800 but not quite complete the minimum 2k but meet the required amount charged in January. Do the 50k points go towards this year 2014 or 2015? Or do they split up the rapid reward points up percentage wise or all at once when the required minimum has been met?

I am hoping to be able to qualify for a companion pass with the help of another card for next year by April/May or so. But to do so we would need to have the points credit to our account during the 2015 year and not 2014.

And does anyone know how long this offer is available for?

 

[elleavon]

Unless you are going to be able to earn the 110,000 between now and 12/31, you might be best off waiting 'til 1/1/15 to apply as the points have to be earned in the same calendar (1/1-12/31) year... so anything you earn between now and 12/31, if under 110,000 gets wiped clean and you have to re-earn all 110,000 points in 2015!

Yes, you can use the points, you do not have to save them...

Good to know! Thanks so much. Little wheels in my brain turning...

 

[robfamily]

Would it be possible for me and my husband to each get 2 cards with 50k bonus? Therefore each getting a companion pass for our 2 children.

 

[Gillyrose779]

Just got my Companion Pass in the mail- woohoo! Had to share- good through 12/15.

 

[Gillyrose779]

Would it be possible for me and my husband to each get 2 cards with 50k bonus? Therefore each getting a companion pass for our 2 children.

Yes- it is possible- as long as you are both approved.

For my family of 4 we will be getting 2 free trips for the 4 of us w/ just my companion pass and 110,000 points so make sure you need all those points.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Would it be possible for me and my husband to each get 2 cards with 50k bonus? Therefore each getting a companion pass for our 2 children.

You can each get a card, but I don't know anything about a companion pass.

 

[robfamily]

After looking into I think that 110,000 for just one of us would be enough. I think we will stagger the companion. 2 years for my husband and then 2 years for me. If we just alternate it would be plenty. Thanks for the answers

 

[threeboysmom]

Unless you are going to be able to earn the 110,000 between now and 12/31, you might be best off waiting 'til 1/1/15 to apply as the points have to be earned in the same calendar (1/1-12/31) year... so anything you earn between now and 12/31, if under 110,000 gets wiped clean and you have to re-earn all 110,000 points in 2015!

Question though. I get that the 110,000 points have to be earned in the same calendar year, but when does that year actually start ticking? Is it when you first apply for the card or is it when you qualify by meeting the $2000 spending requirement?

In theory, can't I apply for the 2 cards NOW, but wait until January 2015 to actually start using them? That way I can hopefully finish up the additional spending requirements in a month or two and have close to 2 years to take advantage of the Companion Pass?