Newbie hoping to book SouthWest tickets today - please help with RapidRewards ?

[DVCindy]

Hi -

I've been following the "waiting for SouthWest" threads and am hoping like the rest of you that the schedule will finally open today !

We will be heading down Aug 25.

I have never flown with them before and I am not a Rapid Rewards member yet. I want to ask you all for your advice as to how I can maximize the amount of RapidRewards credits I can recieve when I book these tickets.

1) I think I can get some bonus ones for opening the RapidRewards account ... but does this have to be done when I actually book the tickets online or can I open the account ahead of time (like this morning ?)

2) I also noticed something on their site that I think is a SouthWest Visa card ... I think it says if I apply for it when booking tickets I get 2 bonus RapidRewards and save $20 of flights booked today ??? Does anyone have one ... do you like it ? Do you feel you earn credits quickly ?

This is different than the regular RapidRewards account, right? Can I combine the 2 and get 4 bonus credits for the first booking ? Anyone know ?

3) Lastly, I will be booking at least 4 round trips (possibly 8 if my brother can not get to his computer when the flights do open up) ... do I need to open a
Rapid Rewards account in each travelers name so they get thier own rewards in their own name before I book ?

I know you guys will know the answers to all the questions I have !

I just love this site - thanks in advance for your help !

Cindy

PS. If I've missed any other ways to get bonus points when booking, please let me know !

 

[CarolA]

You can open the account at any time.

I know that the credits you get for booking are seperate from the CC credits so you get both. I am not sure the CC is worth it... it takes a lot of money for a credit.

Each traveler will need thier own account, but you can always just ad them at the airport. I booked for my Mom last week. I don't know her number so she will have to ad it when she gets there.

 

[DVCindy]

Thanks CarolA !

Just enrolled the whole family in Rapid Rewards ... now patiently waiting for the schedule to open !!

Cindy