When to cancel Southwest Premier Visa

[GPC0321]

Okay. So I got the SW Premier Visa last September and met the spend and got the 50,000 RR points. I keep it active right now by paying Netflix monthly on it. I'm going to use my RR points to book our flights to Orlando for our December trip. Should be able to book this summer.

My question is this. I plan to cancel/close the card eventually. Ideally, I would like to close it before the annual fee comes due again in September. But I'm worried about doing that. If I book a flight via Rapid Rewards and then cancel my card right after, that also closes my Rapid Rewards account too, right? Would there be a risk that they could cancel our flights?

I guess I'm asking, should I just wait and cancel the card after our trip and suck it up and pay the annual fee in September? Or could I safely cancel the card after the flights are booked and avoid the upcoming annual fee?

 

[MrPTato]

Canceling the credit card won't do anything to your RR account. Once the points have posted into your account, they are yours to use. You can close the card at any time, even now if you don't plan to use it.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Having the credit card open has no affect on your RR account or your flights. You can cancel the card at any time. If you're of the mindset that you definitely want to cancel, then I would wait until your 12 month anniversary when your 6,000 points will hit and once they've credited to your RR account just after your statement closes, then call in and cancel. As long as you do this within 30 (used to be 90) days of the annual fee being charged, then the fee will be reversed and you won't have to pay it. If due to timing, you've already paid the fee, then the fee would be refunded if cancelled within 30 days. So you'll get the anniversary points as promised in the rules for the card and you won't have to pay the annual fee since you won't have the card open........and you keep your flights as I pointed out. Win, win, win.

 

[GPC0321]

Okay, thanks guys! I don't know where I came up with the idea that the cc had to be open/active. I just re-read the rules and regs on the RR program and you're obviously exactly right. That's good to know! I have a Chase Sapphire Preferred now, and it's the only travel card I feel like I need.

I'll definitely try to get those 6,000 points though before canceling. Very good idea.

Thanks!

 

[MrPTato]

Okay, thanks guys! I don't know where I came up with the idea that the cc had to be open/active. I just re-read the rules and regs on the RR program and you're obviously exactly right. That's good to know! I have a Chase Sapphire Preferred now, and it's the only travel card I feel like I need.

I'll definitely try to get those 6,000 points though before canceling. Very good idea.

Thanks!

This was a good idea from the poster. Just make sure you are on that AF once its posted and close the account.