SW rapid rewards sign up bonus reminder

[crazymomof4]

So I FORGOT about some fine print in my Southwest cc sign-up bonus spending requirements. Totally my fault and it cost me. I am posting bc I wanted to remind others and maybe prevent someone from making the same error.

The spending requirement was $2000. I had signed up for 2 cards so the bonus points when I met the req'ments will earn me a Companion Pass. My error was that I stopped spending on the card a tiny bit too soon. I was at $2063 so I thought "great, I'm good. Let me go back to using my CitiCard and earning 2% rewards" DUMB! Because.... and I knew this from 3 yrs ago but forgot (I'm blaming perimenopause brain!) .... the $69 annual fee for the card (which is your 1st charge) DOES NOT COUNT toward the $2000 spending requirement.
So here I was all happy that the statement closing date on both new cards was 2 weeks before an upcoming SW flight and I'd earn the bonus (and CP) in time to apply it to this flight but...... I didn't get the bonus for the 2nd card bc with the annual fee subtracted, I missed $2k by $6!!!!
I'll still get the CP, bc I have another month to spend that $6 but it won't be in time for this SW flight. We fly again in Jan and I'm happy I'll be able to use it then but still.... My oversight/forgetfullness cost me just over $300 that I paid for my DD's upcoming flight (the equivalent in points would have been returned to my RR acct if I could have applied the CP to this flight)

So there you go! I hope my mistake can help others (or even just one person) from making the same mistake!

 

[DizMe]

Oh, bummer!! Glad you'll still get it at least, and thanks for the heads up!

 

[CMNJ]

Also if you meet your spending too close to the cLosing date of your statement you don't get the bonus until the next statement closes. Just another FYI for others

 

[marthachick]

DSis got a SW card and was excited to tell me she had almost met her $2,000 spending and I reminded her that the $69 fee didn't count. She was kind of bummed but 1 trip to the grocery store took care of that!

 

[LynnTH]

Just so you know. (Since I just did this). The companion pass just posted on my account today. I went in and made my DD my companion. We already had flights booked for a cruise in December (booked with points). I called SW and they cancelled off DD and I added her as a companion.

Also had a flight to Orlando for next March. This time I only had enough points left for me to book. So, I booked myself and today I added DD as my companion. As long as there is a seat left on the flight you can book a companion - it does not have to be a Wanna Get Away Fare to do this. So, that might be an options.

 

[Narnia_girl]

So I FORGOT about some fine print in my Southwest cc sign-up bonus spending requirements. Totally my fault and it cost me. I am posting bc I wanted to remind others and maybe prevent someone from making the same error.

The spending requirement was $2000. I had signed up for 2 cards so the bonus points when I met the req'ments will earn me a Companion Pass. My error was that I stopped spending on the card a tiny bit too soon. I was at $2063 so I thought "great, I'm good. Let me go back to using my CitiCard and earning 2% rewards" DUMB! Because.... and I knew this from 3 yrs ago but forgot (I'm blaming perimenopause brain!) .... the $69 annual fee for the card (which is your 1st charge) DOES NOT COUNT toward the $2000 spending requirement.
So here I was all happy that the statement closing date on both new cards was 2 weeks before an upcoming SW flight and I'd earn the bonus (and CP) in time to apply it to this flight but...... I didn't get the bonus for the 2nd card bc with the annual fee subtracted, I missed $2k by $6!!!!
I'll still get the CP, bc I have another month to spend that $6 but it won't be in time for this SW flight. We fly again in Jan and I'm happy I'll be able to use it then but still.... My oversight/forgetfullness cost me just over $300 that I paid for my DD's upcoming flight (the equivalent in points would have been returned to my RR acct if I could have applied the CP to this flight)

So there you go! I hope my mistake can help others (or even just one person) from making the same mistake!

Thanks for sharing your story and relaying that tip. It's thoughtful of you to give others the heads up despite your setback.
I'm planning to earn CP for 2018-19 so I'll try to remember this tip.

 

[crazymomof4]

Thanks for sharing your story and relaying that tip. It's thoughtful of you to give others the heads up despite your setback.
I'm planning to earn CP for 2018-19 so I'll try to remember this tip.

Well, you know how it is..... we beat ourselves up when we make mistakes.... harder on ourselves than we are on others.
Since I can't change the results of my own error, I felt that the only GOOD that can come of my mistake is if someone else is prevented from making the same.
Lord knows, this Budget Board has showed me the way to save and earn so much $ for Disney trips.
Just returning the favor!!!!

 

[crazymomof4]

Just so you know. (Since I just did this). The companion pass just posted on my account today. I went in and made my DD my companion. We already had flights booked for a cruise in December (booked with points). I called SW and they cancelled off DD and I added her as a companion.

Also had a flight to Orlando for next March. This time I only had enough points left for me to book. So, I booked myself and today I added DD as my companion. As long as there is a seat left on the flight you can book a companion - it does not have to be a Wanna Get Away Fare to do this. So, that might be an options.

Yep! Thats what I planned on doing but now the bonus from my 2nd card won't post until Sept 12th after we return from this upcoming trip.
I booked our Jan trip tonight, DD's as well. When I get the CP in Sept I will apply the CP and my points paid for DD will be returned to RR acct.
At least I have that.

 

[crazymomof4]

DSis got a SW card and was excited to tell me she had almost met her $2,000 spending and I reminded her that the $69 fee didn't count. She was kind of bummed but 1 trip to the grocery store took care of that!

GOOD!
Hope my post was helpful in this regard!

 

[hsmamato2]

good point to share OP! We've all done stuff like this in the past....good record keeping is a must! I've done it where I returned a $10 item and forgot so I wasn't actually at spend properly... now I notate a date a few weeks ahead of actual 3 months...