Southwest Airlines 2 free flights credit card offer-What's the catch?

[candy0730]

I had requested a bill close date on the 28th of each month, so I was surprised to receive a bill with my first couple purchases. I paid it and within a few days, the awards were posted. (Had I been thinking a little more strategically, I would have requested the 7th or 10th of the month - because I wanted 2 of the current, standard awards so I could convert to Freedom. But apparently the stars were aligned in my favor!)

Starting 03/01 when SW begins issuing points instead of credits they state that there will be no blackout dates for RR flights. Does that mean that if you have 2 rewards deposited in your account after 03/01 you will be able to use them any time without restriction? What if you get the credits prior to 03/01? I have a feeling this is something we won't know until after 03/01.

 

[DMRick]

Good point to ponder, because in the past, the credit card has always actually given points, and they were automatically converted once they hit SW. It will be interesting to see what happens to their points after March 1st.

Starting 03/01 when SW begins issuing points instead of credits they state that there will be no blackout dates for RR flights. Does that mean that if you have 2 rewards deposited in your account after 03/01 you will be able to use them any time without restriction? What if you get the credits prior to 03/01? I have a feeling this is something we won't know until after 03/01.

 

[yankebabie]

Read somewhere in here that you had to be sure to have a Rapid Rewards account before you apply for the credit card so they have somewhere to put the points. Can someone explain that to me. How do I get a Rapid Rewards account and do they just not put it on your credit card statement like Disney Visa?

 

[DMRick]

No, because this isn't really a credit card award. It's a SW award. There are several ways to earn rewards with SW..the credit card is just one of them. Just go to southwest.com and sign up for a free rapid rewards number..like the number you get on all the airlines. You give that number to the CC (like you would for instance when renting a car that gives you SW points or rewards) and they give the points to SW, who then converts (or not, depending on if it's before or after March 1st) them into round trip awards.

Read somewhere in here that you had to be sure to have a Rapid Rewards account before you apply for the credit card so they have somewhere to put the points. Can someone explain that to me. How do I get a Rapid Rewards account and do they just not put it on your credit card statement like Disney Visa?

 

[yankebabie]

So if I apply for the S.W. cc on line, will there be a space to enter the rapid rewards account number or do I have to call them with the number. Also, do you know if and when the free flight awards expire?

 

[Dizzy for Dsny]

I just applied and was approved immediately! I hope this is the real deal!

 

[DMRick]

So if I apply for the S.W. cc on line, will there be a space to enter the rapid rewards account number or do I have to call them with the number. Also, do you know if and when the free flight awards expire?

Yes there is a place to put it..you can look at the application for the card and see what info they want/need:

http://www.mychasecreditcards.com/southwest/homepagebanner?int=HOMEBNRBTM1ACSE2FF110215

If you get the regular awards, they are good for a year. If you get points after March 1st, they may be under the new program and points don’t expire as long as you have flight or Partner earning activity every 24 months.

You will have to pay a $10 Sept 11 security fee when you book your flight.

All this info is available on the SW site.

 

[yankebabie]

Thanks for your help DMRick. One more question, would it be safe to assume that if I applied today my points would come under the new program starting March 1st, as I probably wouldn't get my card until at least then.

 

[DizDragonfly]

would it be safe to assume that if I applied today my points would come under the new program starting March 1st, as I probably wouldn't get my card until at least then.

I wouldn't make any assumptions. The online offer states "awards". So, it's possible (even probable) that they will issue awards that have the same restrictions/limitations that the old award system did/does.

 

[hsmamato2]

and...if you get 2 free R/T- does that mean you could do 4 one ways? as a reward?

 

[yankebabie]

So if I apply now and are stuck under the old system where you have to use the rewards in one year and have blackout dates that won't work for me because I wouldn't be using them until May 2012?

 

[yankebabie]

Can anyone who has recently applied and got the 2 free flight deal on their statement already tell us if they got credits(old system) or points (new system)

 

[DizDragonfly]

Can anyone who has recently applied and got the 2 free flight deal on their statement already tell us if they got credits(old system) or points (new system)

The new system doesn't start until 3/1. So, no one will have an answer to your question for at _least_ 10 more days.

 

[DMRick]

Thanks for your help DMRick. One more question, would it be safe to assume that if I applied today my points would come under the new program starting March 1st, as I probably wouldn't get my card until at least then.

I wouldn't assume..however, I always get points and not awards from the CC company. It's SW who turns them into Awards. In the past, the offer used to say, two free roundtrips, where ever we fly. I notice it doesn't say that anymore, and I wonder if that's because they are switching to the point system. But we won't know until someone gets their card after March 1.

and...if you get 2 free R/T- does that mean you could do 4 one ways? as a reward?

I have been able to with my awards. If you get points instead, it will depend on the cost of each of your segments.

So if I apply now and are stuck under the old system where you have to use the rewards in one year and have blackout dates that won't work for me because I wouldn't be using them until May 2012?

I have been in this program several times, and we have prob gotten at least 20 round trips, if not more (and we do keep one of the cards just to get the free trips). Other than when I have wanted to do a last minute flight, I have never had a problem. Others have said on flying boards they may have had to go a day later or earlier, but I haven't seen much problem getting seats, if you book early. I usually book the day SW releases the new dates.

 

[yankebabie]

I was concerned that everything said it started on 3/1 (no black out dates, no expiration dates, etc) So I called S.W. and asked if this offer would fall under the old system or the new. She said that the offer will fall under the system that is in place now. So there is a one year expiration date, black out dates and subject to seat availability. She said that she believes that the offer will expire on 2/28, as the new point system will commence on 3/1. FYI

 

[DMRick]

Did you talk to the person who answers the main number, or did you call the rewards number?
I still think I would wait and see..because if you don't get your points until after the 1st, that would be hard for them to manage..to give you awards if the points are in place. It would be easy to do points, since that's what the CC company has always given.
But either would work for me..I like the system they have now, although no expiry would be nice.

I was concerned that everything said it started on 3/1 (no black out dates, no expiration dates, etc) So I called S.W. and asked if this offer would fall under the old system or the new. She said that the offer will fall under the system that is in place now. So there is a one year expiration date, black out dates and subject to seat availability. She said that she believes that the offer will expire on 2/28, as the new point system will commence on 3/1. FYI

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I was concerned that everything said it started on 3/1 (no black out dates, no expiration dates, etc) So I called S.W. and asked if this offer would fall under the old system or the new. She said that the offer will fall under the system that is in place now. So there is a one year expiration date, black out dates and subject to seat availability. She said that she believes that the offer will expire on 2/28, as the new point system will commence on 3/1. FYI

When you say offer...is the 2 free flights credit card offer going to expire 2/28? I have just been on the fence about applying for the card and paying a fee and then it not working out for the flights we are looking to book in October.

 

[yankebabie]

I did speak to a representative at Rapid Rewards and that is what she told me. I am referring to the offer that is now out that has 2 free roundtrip flights when you sign up.

 

[yankebabie]

I called because I will not be using the 2 free flights until May 2012 and if there is a one year expiration date on them, I will not be able to use them. Hoping maybe they will come out with a new promotion on 3/1 to promote the new rewards system.

 

[DMRick]

I'd still wait and see what happens until after the 1st..only because they aren't saying two free trips where ever we fly this time, like they have before. I wonder if that is because it may be points and it will depend on where you fly. I'm anxious to see if there are changes after the 1st to the offer.
You can always get one in your name now, and your husbands later, so if you can't use them, you can always get a second card.

I did speak to a representative at Rapid Rewards and that is what she told me. I am referring to the offer that is now out that has 2 free roundtrip flights when you sign up.