SW Companion pass and other SW Visa ?s

[kimbe21]

I know there are a lot of threads regarding the SW Visa but after reading many of them I'm still not sure I understand how to maximize my points.

I currently have the "basic" SW Visa with the $69 annual fee. We use it regularly and pay it off monthly. I received an offer that if I upgrade to the Premier card I will receive the 50,000 bonus points. I plan to upgrade this week. After I am approved I will cancel my basic card.
Questions:
If my husband applies for a new card and receives the 50,000 bonus points also can we combine them into one Rapid Rewards account so we reach the 110k requirement for the companion pass faster? If so, does he have to pay the fee to transfer his points to me?
How long does he have to keep his card active after he receives the 50,000 bonus points?
Is there another/easier way to do this? Is the $99 annual fee charged during the first billing cycle?

We are planning a big the end of this year and next so the Companion pass would be extremely helpful!

Thanks for your help!

 

[mollymeaux]

I don't think the transferred points would count toward the companion pass. I would have him apply for both cards at once and let him get the companion pass so you fly free.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

I know there are a lot of threads regarding the SW Visa but after reading many of them I'm still not sure I understand how to maximize my points.

I currently have the "basic" SW Visa with the $69 annual fee. We use it regularly and pay it off monthly. I received an offer that if I upgrade to the Premier card I will receive the 50,000 bonus points. I plan to upgrade this week. After I am approved I will cancel my basic card.
Questions:
1).If my husband applies for a new card and receives the 50,000 bonus points also can we combine them into one Rapid Rewards account so we reach the 110k requirement for the companion pass faster?
2).If so, does he have to pay the fee to transfer his points to me?
3).How long does he have to keep his card active after he receives the 50,000 bonus points?
4).Is there another/easier way to do this?
5).Is the $99 annual fee charged during the first billing cycle?

We are planning a big the end of this year and next so the Companion pass would be extremely helpful!

Thanks for your help!

1). The RR points cannot be combined from multiple accounts to achieve the CP. You can transfer points, but it's not financially lucrative.
2). Just like #1, He/You would have to pay a fee to transfer points between members and they don't count toward CP. Transferring points is generally not lucrative.
3). He can cancel his card at any time, though it's better to wait until the anniversary date to get the annual points then cancel.
4). Yes. It sounds like it's just the two of you and you've had your card prior to this year? Better strategy: Husband gets both Premier and Plus ensuring they are for 50,000 pts. bonus offers. Either make the referral for the cards if you have any email links, or just have him call up and verbally state you made the referral. You will most likely have to call SW after he obtains and uses his cards to request the 5,000 referral points to hit your account for each card referral if they don't automatically. You will need to come up with 6,000 additional points in his account once the two 50,000 bonus points hit and the minimum spend points to get the 110,000 CP points. Do this by normal spend or shopping portal points. You can cancel your card at your anniversary date (once you get the annual points and your $69 fee will be refunded). If your counting, that's 13,000 additional points for our account(10K from two referrals and 3K annual). In two years, you'll do the same process, only obtaining the cards in your name and not your husbands with him making the referrals to you.
5). Annual fee is typically charged during the first closing cycle and DOES NOT COUNT toward the $2,000 minimum spend.

 

[kimbe21]

1). The RR points cannot be combined from multiple accounts to achieve the CP. You can transfer points, but it's not financially lucrative.
2). Just like #1, He/You would have to pay a fee to transfer points between members and they don't count toward CP. Transferring points is generally not lucrative.
3). He can cancel his card at any time, though it's better to wait until the anniversary date to get the annual points then cancel.
4). Yes. It sounds like it's just the two of you and you've had your card prior to this year? Better strategy: Husband gets both Premier and Plus ensuring they are for 50,000 pts. bonus offers. Either make the referral for the cards if you have any email links, or just have him call up and verbally state you made the referral. You will most likely have to call SW after he obtains and uses his cards to request the 5,000 referral points to hit your account for each card referral if they don't automatically. You will need to come up with 6,000 additional points in his account once the two 50,000 bonus points hit and the minimum spend points to get the 110,000 CP points. Do this by normal spend or shopping portal points. You can cancel your card at your anniversary date (once you get the annual points and your $69 fee will be refunded). If your counting, that's 13,000 additional points for our account(10K from two referrals and 3K annual). In two years, you'll do the same process, only obtaining the cards in your name and not your husbands with him making the referrals to you.
5). Annual fee is typically charged during the first closing cycle and DOES NOT COUNT toward the $2,000 minimum spend.

Thanks for the explanation!

It looks like the SW offer online is 25,000 bonus points for new card members. Is it worth calling SW and asking for the 50,000 or do we need to wait until the offer is published? Will he apply for the SW basic and premier at one time or he needs to call twice and apply separately?
I haven't ever received any referral emails so I didn't even realize that if I refer someone then I get bonus points. Woohoo!

Thanks again!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

The 50,000 bonus point offer for the Premier is always going on here:
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/southwest/inflight

The 50,000 bonus point offer for the Plus card is more difficult to find. However, I don't wait for SW to make their offers; I just make my own. Call the same number for the Premier card and tell them you want the Plus card for the 50,000 point offer and that he was referred by you. They will push the Premier, tell them no, they will agree to let him apply for the Plus, but he needs to ensure its the Plus for 50,000 at the $69 AF. By the way, I've done this many times, most recently as December (I already have the CP two weeks into the year. There has not been a recent public 50,000 pt offer for the Plus). Based on the info you've given, you will definitely have to call in after the close of your husband's first billing cycles and tell them you did not get your 5,000 referral points. They will be credited after your next closing date. You husband should apply for the cards a couple days apart; apply for the online Premier first and then call in for the Plus second. I have not been asked why I want two cards, but if asked while applying for the Plus, simply state that you want to take advantage of the bonus offer.

 

[kimbe21]

The 50,000 bonus point offer for the Premier is always going on here:
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/southwest/inflight

The 50,000 bonus point offer for the Plus card is more difficult to find. However, I don't wait for SW to make their offers; I just make my own. Call the same number for the Premier card and tell them you want the Plus card for the 50,000 point offer and that he was referred by you. They will push the Premier, tell them no, they will agree to let him apply for the Plus, but he needs to ensure its the Plus for 50,000 at the $69 AF. By the way, I've done this many times, most recently as December (I already have the CP two weeks into the year. There has not been a recent public 50,000 pt offer for the Plus). Based on the info you've given, you will definitely have to call in after the close of your husband's first billing cycles and tell them you did not get your 5,000 referral points. They will be credited after your next closing date. You husband should apply for the cards a couple days apart; apply for the online Premier first and then call in for the Plus second. I have not been asked why I want two cards, but if asked while applying for the Plus, simply state that you want to take advantage of the bonus offer.

Here is the number to call for the Plus card: 1-877-847-8299 (again, he will tell them he received the referral information from you).

This is wonderful! I am going to have him apply online today and then call next week for the other. I'm so glad I asked.

Thank you!!

 

[kimbe21]

Applied and approved. Step 1 done.

Woohoo!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

FWIW, there are also people that are willing to provide referrals for the 50K Plus card on places like Flytertalk.com. You just won't be able to the referral bonus if using one of those.

 

[mfly]

FWIW, there are also people that are willing to provide referrals for the 50K Plus card on places like Flytertalk.com. You just won't be able to the referral bonus if using one of those.

Have you had experience receiving a referral bonus when you did not actually have a referral available? I have heard others state that you can refer, but you won't receive the bonus unless you have been pre-selected by Chase to receive it (chasereferafriend.com). Curious because I would like to refer someone, but I don't have a referral available according to their website.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Have you had experience receiving a referral bonus when you did not actually have a referral available? I have heard others state that you can refer, but you won't receive the bonus unless you have been pre-selected by Chase to receive it (chasereferafriend.com). Curious because I would like to refer someone, but I don't have a referral available according to their website.

Yes, frequently, I just called two days ago to get my referral points for one of the cards I referred to my spouse in December. I did not have one of the emails/postcards to refer her, but advised them that I made the referral, had the card number in hand if needed (it wasn't) and got my points fixed. They can tell from the card number if any referral was made already to someone else. Most of the referral literature I'm seeing lately seems to be limiting referrals to 50,000 (10 referrals) points annually. These count toward CP by the way.

It seems to me that you always have referrals available, the emails/postcards are just reminders of those. Remember, Chase is glad to accept anybody's annual fee, so they like people to sign up for their cards!

 

[disfanforlife]

1). The RR points cannot be combined from multiple accounts to achieve the CP. You can transfer points, but it's not financially lucrative.
2). Just like #1, He/You would have to pay a fee to transfer points between members and they don't count toward CP. Transferring points is generally not lucrative.
3). He can cancel his card at any time, though it's better to wait until the anniversary date to get the annual points then cancel.
4). Yes. It sounds like it's just the two of you and you've had your card prior to this year? Better strategy: Husband gets both Premier and Plus ensuring they are for 50,000 pts. bonus offers. Either make the referral for the cards if you have any email links, or just have him call up and verbally state you made the referral. You will most likely have to call SW after he obtains and uses his cards to request the 5,000 referral points to hit your account for each card referral if they don't automatically. You will need to come up with 6,000 additional points in his account once the two 50,000 bonus points hit and the minimum spend points to get the 110,000 CP points. Do this by normal spend or shopping portal points. You can cancel your card at your anniversary date (once you get the annual points and your $69 fee will be refunded). If your counting, that's 13,000 additional points for our account(10K from two referrals and 3K annual). In two years, you'll do the same process, only obtaining the cards in your name and not your husbands with him making the referrals to you.
5). Annual fee is typically charged during the first closing cycle and DOES NOT COUNT toward the $2,000 minimum spend.

Are you saying that you can cancel your card after you get your anniversary points and the $69 will be refunded?! My anniversary date is this spring. I will do his if it is true. I want to reapply next year to try for the two cards and companion pass. So I want to cancel my card before then. Is there a limit between when you cancel and when you can reapply?

 

[mfly]

Are you saying that you can cancel your card after you get your anniversary points and the $69 will be refunded?! My anniversary date is this spring. I will do his if it is true. I want to reapply next year to try for the two cards and companion pass. So I want to cancel my card before then. Is there a limit between when you cancel and when you can reapply?

My understanding is that there's not a limit between when you cancel and when you reapply, but when you reapply it must be at least 24 months since you last received the points bonus for that specific card.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Yes, if you are planning to cancel, don't do so until your anniversary points hit and the annual fee hits your account. You have 90 days from when the AF hits to cancel the card and get the fee refunded in full. It's easy to do. I need to cancel one of mine shortly when my annual points hit. Also, you can use the fact that the AF hit your account as leverage in requesting a retention bonus prior to canceling. Depending on your value rating, they may or may not offer you additional points. I've always received at least 5k free.

Regarding the length of time from canceling to reapplying, there is no way anybody can say for sure since there is no visibility to the process. However, Chase is very clear that although you can get the bonus every 24 months, you cannot get it if you already hold the card. Therefore, you need to cancel in enough time so that your card is completely closed in all of Chase's internal systems. You don't want to cut it close, but if you are employing the 2 cards per spouse every two years strategy that I recommend, there will plenty of time to close out and reapply.

 

[mfly]

Yes, frequently, I just called two days ago to get my referral points for one of the cards I referred to my spouse in December. I did not have one of the emails/postcards to refer her, but advised them that I made the referral, had the card number in hand if needed (it wasn't) and got my points fixed. They can tell from the card number if any referral was made already to someone else. Most of the referral literature I'm seeing lately seems to be limiting referrals to 50,000 (10 referrals) points annually. These count toward CP by the way.

It seems to me that you always have referrals available, the emails/postcards are just reminders of those. Remember, Chase is glad to accept anybody's annual fee, so they like people to sign up for their cards!

Thanks! I appreciate your response! Not that I distrust you in any way, but I want to make sure that the person I refer gets the full 50,000, as that's more valuable than the 5,000 I would receive. Did you verify that your spouse received the 50,000 point bonus when you used this method of referral?

 

[hsmamato2]

Not to go too much O/T... friendlyadvice you have some good points,and a couple that are new to me(after all these years!) as far as referrals, how do you go about 'referring' someone without that link? I can't figure that one out.....
*and FWIW, the ast few times I've called to cancel the card, I haven't gotten any retention offers, they were happy to do it! vs. my DH card, he keeps getting really good offers to keep it,so he still has his!*

 

[hsmamato2]

Also FWIW their policy is to take back any anniversary points if you cancel the card..... since so many people try this well known 'trick' it's definitely YMMV type of thing....

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Not to go too much O/T... friendlyadvice you have some good points,and a couple that are new to me(after all these years!) as far as referrals, how do you go about 'referring' someone without that link? I can't figure that one out.....
*and FWIW, the ast few times I've called to cancel the card, I haven't gotten any retention offers, they were happy to do it! vs. my DH card, he keeps getting really good offers to keep it,so he still has his!*

In my experience I avoid the word cancel. Both times I have told them that I was wondering if they could review the benefits of the card with me as I'm not sure if it is a card I want to continue using. They offered 6,000 points each time on top of the anniversary bonus.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Thanks! I appreciate your response! Not that I distrust you in any way, but I want to make sure that the person I refer gets the full 50,000, as that's more valuable than the 5,000 I would receive. Did you verify that your spouse received the 50,000 point bonus when you used this method of referral?

Yes, we already earned the CP as of last week. I never like to post as fact unless I've got a couple a data points to verify. I did this less than 30 days ago for the Plus card since there wasn't a 50K offer out. As I previously mentioned, the person applying just needs to ensure that the card is for the Plus, at 50K, and $69 fee. If something has changed in 30 days (possible, but unlikely) and they won't give the offer, then they should just tell the phone rep they aren't interested and they can get a referral on one of the flying sites. You just won't get the 5K referral points then.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Not to go too much O/T... friendlyadvice you have some good points,and a couple that are new to me(after all these years!) as far as referrals, how do you go about 'referring' someone without that link? I can't figure that one out.....
*and FWIW, the ast few times I've called to cancel the card, I haven't gotten any retention offers, they were happy to do it! vs. my DH card, he keeps getting really good offers to keep it,so he still has his!*

I've rarely used the link and have done most apps/referrals via phone and explained I wanted the Plus versus the Premeir. Regarding retention offers, as you pointed with your husband, it all depends on the rating that Chase has given you. They may offer or they may not. I've always been offered at least 5K.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Also FWIW their policy is to take back any anniversary points if you cancel the card..... since so many people try this well known 'trick' it's definitely YMMV type of thing....

I've never seen this policy and can quickly count at least 12 cards between friends and family that have done this in the last year alone and not had any points taken back. As with anything, of course it could be YMMV, but I don't have a single negative data point of anything being taken back.