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

[jessrose18]

probably dumb question....

if i apply and get the two free tix i can book one for me and one for husband, they both dont have to be booked in my name right?

another question, how are people getting the yearly fee waived? i swear i got this offer in the mail and tossed it...i toss out a cc offer a day away, so i never look.....

 

[kaze1sd]

Just applied and got approved.

However, the wife has hers pending.

On any account, I'll be happy with two free tickets even if she doesn't get approved.

Will keep you guys updated once I get the cards.

 

[DizDragonfly]

if i apply and get the two free tix i can book one for me and one for husband, they both dont have to be booked in my name right?

You can use the two free tickets to book for whoever you want to book for.

 

[jessrose18]

thanks...so if you are rewarded points you will get 32,000 (2 free roundtrip tickets?)

when i use thier point simulator it says msp-mco is 15,480...is that regardless of price of flights for those days???? thanks again.

 

[paults]

are the tickets good for non-stop or connecting flights. We only do non-stop flights.

 

[DMRick]

But I'd still like to know for sure, if the cost of my flights in points is higher than my points balance, can I pay the difference?

If you get points and the cost of flights is higher, you could use them as a couple of one ways, and pay for your return flight. I have seen nothing that indicates you can buy points to make up the difference. I think the whole point is to get you to use your card and get more points.

Also, there still has to be seats available, it's not like you are promised that you will now get on every flight. And there are different steps that you can use, with the points..some seats cost more than others.

You will also be able to use points for other things. Why not go through this and see what else they can be used for, and how the new program will work.
http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-extras/promotions/rapid-rewards-all-new.html

 

[DizDragonfly]

I have seen nothing that indicates you can buy points to make up the difference. I think the whole point is to get you to use your card and get more points.

http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-extras/promotions/rapid-rewards-all-new.html

From their FAQ on the new RR program ...

Can I buy points? Yes. A Member will have the ability to purchase Rapid Rewards Points. Point purchases must be paid for with a credit card and can be made at southwest.com. Rapid Rewards Points will be offered in blocks of 1,000 with a minimum purchase of 2,000, maximum of 40,000.

 

[kato0627]

I applied for the card on Sunday- approved already, and they said 10 days to get the card. How long do I need to wait to receive the 2 free tickets. Would love to be able to use this for a trip in May??
Thanks

 

[DizDragonfly]

when i use thier point simulator it says msp-mco is 15,480...is that regardless of price of flights for those days???? thanks again.

From http://www.southwest.com/newRR/faq.do ...

How can I calculate the number of points I will need to redeem for my ticket? The number of points required for redemption (redemption rate) is based on the advertised fare (base fare plus excise tax) for a ticket.
As an example:
LAX-LAS Business Select Anytime Wanna Get Away Advertised Fare $168 $153 $81 (Comprised of ($168 x 120pts per $) ($153 x 100pts per $) ($81 x 60pts per $)
Base Fare + 7.5% Excise Tax)
Redemption Rate 20,160 15,300 4,860 If a ticket is purchased using Rapid Rewards Points as the form of payment with outbound and return segments using the same fare type (e.g., Wanna Get Away for both), the number of points required for both segments will be calculated using the advertised fares and the corresponding redemption rate for that fare type. (For example, if the outbound and return flights are both purchased in Wanna Get Away, the points required to redeem the roundtrip base fare and excise tax will be calculated at a rate of 60 points per dollar.)
NOTE: If points are redeemed for a ticket that combines different fare types (e.g., Business Select for the outbound segment and Wanna Get Away for the return segment), the number of points needed will be calculated by multiplying the base fare for each segment (less the excise tax) by the corresponding number of points per dollar for each fare product and adding the excise tax for all segments multiplied by the lowest number of points per dollar in the ticket, in this case x60 for Wanna Get Away.

 

[poohs_hunny]

thanks...so if you are rewarded points you will get 32,000 (2 free roundtrip tickets?)

when i use thier point simulator it says msp-mco is 15,480...is that regardless of price of flights for those days???? thanks again.

I think on the bottom it said something about it being a "typical" number and that it may be more or less depending on the day/time you choose.

Does anyone know if the point simulator is for round trip or one way? If it's round trip, I'll have enough points and then some, but somehow I think that's too good to be true...

 

[DMRick]

That's good to know.

From their FAQ on the new RR program ...

 

[poohs_hunny]

From their FAQ on the new RR program ...

Yes, good to know I have the option! Thank you!

 

[NHBelle]

Okay..just to clarify...I can get 2 RT or 4 one ways??? I already booked our return trip....so I need one ways only. If this works we can afford to do Universal for the day. Also, how do I find out what dates reward seats are available??? My trip is already booked.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Okay..just to clarify...I can get 2 RT or 4 one ways??? I already booked our return trip....so I need one ways only. If this works we can afford to do Universal for the day. Also, how do I find out what dates reward seats are available??? My trip is already booked.

Yes, you should be able to use them for one way tickets.

Log in at https://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/travelerAccountLogin?requestFrom=RR . On the right hand side of the page, look for "Looking to use an Award? Use Southwest Seat Finder to see dates with availability." Click the link and put in your dates, etc. You'll be able to see if there is availability on your preferred dates, but not on specific flights.

 

[raider97]

Thanks for letting us know about the offer. Just applied and received approval. It said I should be getting the cards in 2 weeks. Does anyone know when they mail out an email confirmation? I forgot to print my screen since I figured it would email me confirmation.

Thanks,

 

[DMRick]

Can you do that even if you don't have a active award? I can do it under my name, but not my husband (I have awards, he doesn't right now). All I see going through his, is regular seats..yet, it shows available ones for me.

Yes, you should be able to use them for one way tickets.

Log in at https://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/travelerAccountLogin?requestFrom=RR . On the right hand side of the page, look for "Looking to use an Award? Use Southwest Seat Finder to see dates with availability." Click the link and put in your dates, etc. You'll be able to see if there is availability on your preferred dates, but not on specific flights.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Can you do that even if you don't have a active award? I can do it under my name, but not my husband (I have awards, he doesn't right now). All I see going through his, is regular seats..yet, it shows available ones for me.

Neither my DH, nor I have any awards available. When I go to that link I can see the available dates (and the unavailable dates), but I can't see what flights I can use them on.

 

[DMRick]

I see available dates on his, but not available award dates..just days that have availability and the prices. How strange.

Neither my DH, nor I have any awards available. When I go to that link I can see the available dates (and the unavailable dates), but I can't see what flights I can use them on.

 

[DizDragonfly]

I see available dates on his, but not available award dates..just days that have availability and the prices. How strange.

That is weird. Wonder what's up with that. I've heard that Southwest's site will be unavailable at certain points through the weekend while they update their system for the 3/1 changes. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

 

[DMRick]

I've never been able to see actual award days without an award. I've looked up availability for others on this board when they were considering using other people's awards because they said they couldn't see them.

I see available days for regular tickets, but none of them show awards..just the regular days. Maybe I just happen to be looking at days that aren't available LOL!

That is weird. Wonder what's up with that. I've heard that Southwest's site will be unavailable at certain points through the weekend while they update their system for the 3/1 changes. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?