S/W Credit Card- How does it work when you have 2 different SW CC accounts?

[crazymomof4]

I have a SW credit card in my name and it's link to a Rapid Rewards account. I've heard of people hear who have APPLIED FOR and been approved for a 2nd SW cc in their spouse's name. Or applied for an gotten a DIFFERENT TYPE of SW card- for ex if you already have the "Plus", apply to get the "Premier".
MY QUESTION: In cases such as this....... I was wondering how that worked as far as purchasing your tix w/ the points. I have about 40k points leftover on my RR account linked to the card in my name. If I get a card in my DH's name (hopefully with 40,000 sign up bonus points promo), do I link it to MY existing Rapid Rewards card and combine our rewards points? or will his CC be linked to a seperate RR account and we will have to purchase the airline tix divided-- some with his points and some with mine?

PS- I've already gotten the Chase Sapphire Preferred last year and combined the promo from them with the SW promo. I've since canceled that card to avoid the annual fee for the 2nd year.

 

[Spunky946]

My dh had a card that was linked to his account. We got a second card in my name, but we did not get the extra points.

The points go into his account and we share them when we book flights. We started putting everything on the cards and actually earned companion status for 2015.

 

[DVC California]

Just to be clear, I believe OP is asking about opening another credit account, not just an additional cardholder on an existing account.

First, all the points you have earned so far should already be deposited in your SWA Rapid Rewards account and are officially your points. Unlike Chase Ultimate Reward points that are in your UR account until transferred, SWA RR points are automatically transferred every billing period. So if you cancel your credit card, the points will remain in your account.

If your husband opens his own SWA RR Visa, he should open his own RR account. It's just simpler and cleaner that way. If you try to link his new card to your existing account, Chase or SWA might not credit the bonus introductory points to an existing account that is already linked to your card.

If you want to keep all your points in your RR account, you could apply for another card yourself. As you noted, premier if you already have plus or vice versa.

HTH, Steve

 

[crazymomof4]

Just to be clear, I believe OP is asking about opening another credit account, not just an additional cardholder on an existing account.

Correct

First, all the points you have earned so far should already be deposited in your SWA Rapid Rewards account and are officially your points. Unlike Chase Ultimate Reward points that are in your UR account until transferred, SWA RR points are automatically transferred every billing period. So if you cancel your credit card, the points will remain in your account.

Yes. Transfered those Chase Ultimate Reward points to the RR acct prior to purchasing the tix for our Sept trip. After that I began using my Disney Visa for purchases leading up to the trip. So, 0 points on Chase Ultimate when I canceled.

If your husband opens his own SWA RR Visa, he should open his own RR account. It's just simpler and cleaner that way. If you try to link his new card to your existing account, Chase or SWA might not credit the bonus introductory points to an existing account that is already linked to your card.

If you want to keep all your points in your RR account, you could apply for another card yourself. As you noted, premier if you already have plus or vice versa.

HTH, Steve

OK Thanks. That is what I was wondering.... Could my RR account be the "pool" to which both my points and DH's points are funneled? Looks like best to keep separate. Good point about applying for the Premier for myself. Lets just say I don't qualify but my DH does (for the Premier). How does that work when purchasing tix all at the same time for a single trip? Is it difficult to pay out of 2 separate RR points accounts?

 

[keishashadow]

you can combine two different credit card accounts to one RR account as long as the cardholder is the same person. Chase/SWA are sticklers for the name being exactly the same as stated on RR account. note: if the 2nd CC has spouse as the cardholder you cannot add it to your RR account even if you are an authorized user. The spouse must link it to his own RR account.

you can buy tix for anybody using your RR account. purchase the flight components separately, no problem

you cannot combine points from multiple accounts to buy a one way tix (unless you initiate a transfer which has a $ fee involved).

you can top off your account by purchasing the points you need to complete a one way reservation

 

[DVC California]

Keisha responded better than what I was going to write.

I will add that you will probably be booking tickets separately from your individual RR accounts. It's a minor inconvenience that I haven't found any reasonable (i.e. "cheap") work around yet. The only time it really irritates me is at T-24 check in. If you haven't purchased EBCI, you will need to check in twice, once for each of you. If you're not quick, you can easily be in different groups ( eg. You get A57 and hubby gets B02).

FYI, I once read that Chase UR points transferred into SWA RR does not count towards the SWA companion pass. I'm not sure if that's true, or if you're even trying for it, but you might want to check.

 

[keishashadow]

Keisha responded better than what I was going to write.

I will add that you will probably be booking tickets separately from your individual RR accounts. It's a minor inconvenience that I haven't found any reasonable (i.e. "cheap") work around yet. The only time it really irritates me is at T-24 check in. If you haven't purchased EBCI, you will need to check in twice, once for each of you. If you're not quick, you can easily be in different groups ( eg. You get A57 and hubby gets B02).

FYI, I once read that Chase UR points transferred into SWA RR does not count towards the SWA companion pass. I'm not sure if that's true, or if you're even trying for it, but you might want to check.

haha thanks

re the companion pass, not sure how it works with existing Chase accounts but was disappointed my morphed AirTran credit card (Barclays) rewards didn't count toward my status this year.

Chase issued me a replacement signature premier SWA card with same availability & interest rate vs the line of credit type one I had for AT. was told by chase they don't offer that comparable card.

 

[leebee]

FYI, I once read that Chase UR points transferred into SWA RR does not count towards the SWA companion pass. I'm not sure if that's true, or if you're even trying for it, but you might want to check.

I am not sure I understand how the companion pass thing works, either. Is there a simple explanation? I would LOVE to get more free flights, so I can save my money to rent DVC points and stay at the Boardwalk Villas again- it was an amazing location and resort! (Hi Steve!)

 

[DVC California]

I am not sure I understand how the companion pass thing works, either. Is there a simple explanation? I would LOVE to get more free flights, so I can save my money to rent DVC points and stay at the Boardwalk Villas again- it was an amazing location and resort! (Hi Steve!)

Hi Lee! - I'm glad you had a good trip and the Birthday celebration was successful!

I haven't ever earned enough points to qualify, but from what I understand, if you reach 110k points in a calendar year, you earn a Companion Pass that allows someone you choose to fly with you for FREE for one year!

From Southwest Rapid Rewards Terms & Conditions:

Companion Pass

• A Member who earns 110,000 Qualifying Points or who flies 100 qualifying one-way flights booked through Southwest Airlines per calendar year will qualify for Companion Pass status, which entitles a designated traveling Companion to fly with the Member for one year on flights booked through Southwest Airlines.
  
• Companion Pass Qualifying Points are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines, points issued on Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Cards, and points earned from Rapid Rewards Partners. Points purchased for personal use or as a gift, transferred points, points earned from program enrollment, tier bonuses, flight bonuses, and Rapid Rewards Partner bonuses (with the exception of the Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase) do not count toward Companion Pass status.
  
• The Companion is valid for travel only when the Companion is accompanied on his/her flight(s) by the Rapid Rewards Member. The Companion Pass can only be used on flights booked through Southwest Airlines. Companion Pass travel has no blackout dates or seat restrictions. No Rapid Rewards flight points will awarded for flights taken by the Companion using the Companion Pass. If the Companion is not traveling with the Companion Pass Holder, the Companion will be required to pay for the ticket. If the Member knowingly violates the terms and conditions of the Companion Pass program and intentionally books the Companion for travel on a flight not accompanied by the Member, the Member will be notified of the violation and Southwest Airlines reserves the right to terminate the Member's Companion Pass privilege and cancel the Member's account.
  
• Companion Pass status is not transferrable. However, the Member may change his/her designated Companion and request issuance of a new Companion Pass up to three (3) times within the validity period of the Companion Pass program. Requests may be made on southwest.com or by calling 1-800-435-9792. Allow 21 business days for processing.
  
• Companion Pass travel is subject to the government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of $5.60 per one-way trip, which must be paid by credit card when the reservation is made. Any additional tax liability, if imposed, is the responsibility of the Companion Pass traveler.

Here's the website that discussed Chase UR points not qualifying (but Hyatt points, as a SWA Partner, does).

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/07/will-hyatt-to-southwest-transfers-count-towards-the-companion-pass/

It'd be nice to get that pass but to maximize value, you need to plan a lot of trips for the year you get it.

Steve