SouthWest is offering 50K points Credit Card again

[bcinohio]

DH and I both received our cards on Saturday. I paid $2,000 on our Disney July trip. Now we just have to spend the $2,000 on his card. We are hoping to be able to get 5 round trip tickets between the two cards when we receive the 100,000 points (50,000 on each card).

 

[bjscheel]

I opened my SW Visa account last year. DH and I flew R/T GRR to MCO for just under 18,000 points (total) and we now have about 46,000 points left. What happens to those points if I close the credit card? They are in my RR account so do I lose them?

I ask because we are flying to MCO again in October 2014 and again in May 2015. I'm thinking about closing the account and opening another one so that we can get another 50,000 points without having an additional credit card. I don't want to risk losing the points we already have though. Will this work?

You won't lose the points. I think they are good for 24 months after your last activity. We closed DH's account and he still has a small amount of points.

From my RR account page:
"Rapid Rewards accounts will remain active and points won’t expire as long as you earn Rapid Rewards Points from flights or Partners every 24 months."

 

[ChiDisneyFan]

Just got approved for the premier card, currently have the other SW card and was wondering do I get a new Rapid Rewards # or keep the same one from my current card?

 

[calablovedisney]

Finally applied for myself and dh and got approved. I was glad the offer was still showing since I waited a bit. So excited to earn 100,000 points. Looks life if we are careful what flights we pick we should be able to get 4 round trip tix from BDL to MCO for just about 50,000 points. So, maybe 2 trips then for our family of 4. Of course those are probably connecting flights which my family hated last time, but for practically free, who can really complain?! thanks for posting about this deal OP!

 

[findmewdw]

Do these points expire if I don't use them this year? How long before they expire? I have thought about applying before. This sounds like a good deal.

 

[bjscheel]

Do these points expire if I don't use them this year? How long before they expire? I have thought about applying before. This sounds like a good deal.

Points don't expire until 24 months after your latest activity with the card.

 

[findmewdw]

Thanks!!

 

[Crystal824]

I applied and got approved for the SW card. It came in the mail yesterday. Many years ago I had a rapid rewards account, but we only fly about once a year to Disney (2 round trip flights) so I stopped even using it for flights as the rewards didn't really amount to anything. Anyway, I noted that I didn't have a rapid rewards account on the application as I am not even sure where that card is now. It said I would be automatically issued an account. My question is how to I get that information so I can use the dining rewards and shopping rewards. Will it come in the mail in a separate envelope? Do I need to call?

 

[lorenni]

FYI - if anyone can get both a personal & business account and have the points deposited to the same RR account you get the Southwest companion pass. If you get 100K points in a year you get it. It's really great. The holder gets to pick a companion that will get a free ticket to fly with them. And you can get the free ticket whether you pay cash for your ticket or use RR points to pay for it.

Do "bonus" or promotional points count or do they have to be purchased points? My understanding of the teirs was that only flight points count towards moving to the next level - the bonus points do not.

Not to be the fun stealer for everyone but every credit card application and credit available (whether or not used) negatively impacts your credit score. So unless you actually need a new credit card, this may not be worth it if you are planning to buy a house, refinance, etc in the near future.

 

[Marionnette]

I applied and got approved for the SW card. It came in the mail yesterday. Many years ago I had a rapid rewards account, but we only fly about once a year to Disney (2 round trip flights) so I stopped even using it for flights as the rewards didn't really amount to anything. Anyway, I noted that I didn't have a rapid rewards account on the application as I am not even sure where that card is now. It said I would be automatically issued an account. My question is how to I get that information so I can use the dining rewards and shopping rewards. Will it come in the mail in a separate envelope? Do I need to call?

You will get your RR card in the mail but if you want to access it online ahead of time, give Chase a call and ask what the RR number is.

 

[Crystal824]

You will get your RR card in the mail but if you want to access it online ahead of time, give Chase a call and ask what the RR number is.

Thanks.

 

[Crystal824]

Do "bonus" or promotional points count or do they have to be purchased points? My understanding of the teirs was that only flight points count towards moving to the next level - the bonus points do not.

Not to be the fun stealer for everyone but every credit card application and credit available (whether or not used) negatively impacts your credit score. So unless you actually need a new credit card, this may not be worth it if you are planning to buy a house, refinance, etc in the near future.

Actually, this is not entirely true. Yes, every application for credit does negatively impact your credit score. Once you have the card if you don't carry a balance, it will actually improve your credit score. A big part of your credit score is the ratio between total available credit and credit being used. The more available credit, the better the score.

 

[marthachick]

Does anyone know if you get points for cash advances or if it counts toward your $2,000 purchase? TIA!

 

[Marionnette]

Does anyone know if you get points for cash advances or if it counts toward your $2,000 purchase? TIA!

No, they won't count.

 

[marthachick]

No, they won't count.

Thanks!

Also, do they send convenience checks or can you get them and if so, would they count toward the $2,000? Just found out that the company we are ordering our hardwood floors charges a 4% fee for credit cards. :/

 

[sunshinehighway]

Actually, this is not entirely true. Yes, every application for credit does negatively impact your credit score. Once you have the card if you don't carry a balance, it will actually improve your credit score. A big part of your credit score is the ratio between total available credit and credit being used. The more available credit, the better the score.

Yes. The inquiry only stays on your report for 2 years and I believe only really has an impact for 6 months-1 year. Unless you are planning on applying for a loan or mortgage it really won't matter too much.

Overall utilization has a bigger impact on your score so having more available credit helps keep your utilization down.

 

[bcinohio]

When do the points go into your account? We received our card on Saturday and I paid on our Disney trip with it ($2,000) on Sunday. I believe it said the due date was the 24th. When should I get the points? I looked today and I don't see them yet. From what I have heard SW is opening July next week.

Thanks

 

[sunshinehighway]

When do the points go into your account? We received our card on Saturday and I paid on our Disney trip with it ($2,000) on Sunday. I believe it said the due date was the 24th. When should I get the points? I looked today and I don't see them yet. From what I have heard SW is opening July next week.

Thanks

I don't think you get them until after the statement closes. I haven't gotten mine yet and haven't gotten any points I've earned through spending on the card.

Discover works like that too. You get any cashback earned at the end of the billing period. I have a Capital One card that gives you the points once a payment clears whether or not its the end of the billing period.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks!

Also, do they send convenience checks or can you get them and if so, would they count toward the $2,000? Just found out that the company we are ordering our hardwood floors charges a 4% fee for credit cards. :/

No. That won't work either. Convenience checks are treated like cash advances. They don't accrue rewards and they begin to charge interest from the day the check is cashed.

 

[DisneyFun08]

Which do I do first........apply for the card through Chase, or create an account on Southwest's site? And, do I create an account and then join Rapid Rewards?Want to make sure I do this right!