November 13th, 2012
It’s Back! Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Chase Visa Signature Card: Get 2 Free Flights!
Find more great credit card deals on the Credit Card tab.
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Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Chase Visa Signature Card Linky
For a limited time you can get 50,000 points when you spend $2,000 within 3 months of getting the card. They’re marketing this as 2 free flights but in fact it is enough for about $950 of free flying on Southwest, so you can stretch out those points for as many as 15 free flights with Southwest’s low prices.
You can use the points for yourself or book award tickets for anyone else you want to give a ticket to. Plus Southwest allows you to cancel an award flight and redeposit the points in your account for future use without any penalties!
Don’t fly? You can also use 50,000 points to get $500 worth of gift cards to places like Amazon, Avis, Bed Bath & Beyond, Gap, Hyatt, Lowe’s, Macy’s, TJMaxx, Walmart and many others. Last holiday season they even discounted their gift cards so that 50,000 points bought $625 of gift cards, though it remains to be seen if that will return this holiday season. A $500 gift card to Walmart can always be sold to a place like Cardpool for $460 cash.
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With Southwest’s Rapid Rewards “2.0″ program you can redeem points for any seat on any flight. For the regular “wanna get away” fare it costs 60 points for each dollar of airfare. In practical terms this means for example:
A one-way LaGuardia-Chicago flight on 12/04 is $68.80 with tax.
It can also be bought for 3,480 points plus $2.50 tax.
So 3,480 points gets you a value of $66.30 ($68.80 airfare less the $2.50 tax required on the points ticket)
So each point is worth 1.9 cents (66.30/3,480), valid for redemption on all flights.
The value per point will depend on your route, but points always seem to be worth more than 1.8 cents each.
The Southwest card comes with a 50,000 point signup bonus, which at 1.9 cents per point is worth $950 towards Southwest flights just for opening the card and spending $2K.
There is a $99 annual fee but with this card you earn 6,000 points every anniversary that you have the card, which is worth $114 towards Southwest flights!
You get 1 point per dollar on regular purchases, which is equal to a rebate of 1.9%.
You get 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, including hotel and car rentals via Southwest, which is equal to a rebate of 3.8%
Companion pass:
Plus you get a free companion pass if you earn 110,000 points in a year from any source, including earnings from credit card bonuses and credit card spending! If you earn 110,000 Southwest points for example by 02/01/13 the pass will be good until 12/31/14. The pass allows you to bring a companion with you for free when you fly Southwest, even if you are flying on a free ticket!
Points transferred from Ultimate Rewards to Southwest don’t qualify towards companion pass status, but points transferred from Ultimate Rewards into Hyatt and then into Southwest do qualify! So you can transfer 50K Ultimate Rewards points into 50K Hyatt and 50K Hyatt transfers into 30K Southwest.
In other words if you get 50K points from signing up for this credit card you can transfer 100K Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and then into 60K Southwest points, worth about $1,140 towards Southwest travel. Plus then you’ll have a companion pass so that you can bring your companion for free whenever you fly Southwest, so that $1,140 toward Southwest is really doubled to $2,280 because of the free companion ticket. Not a bad value for a 100K Ultimate Rewards transfer.
See this post for more info on the Ultimate Rewards program and associated credit cards.
You should time such a transfer and when you spend the $2,000 on this card so that the points post in 2013 and the pass will be good until the end of 2014.
Transfers to Airtran and Rapid Rewards “1.0″:
You can transfer increments of 1,200 Southwest points into 1 Airtran credit. Here is Airtran’s award chart, which does not price awards according to the cost of the flight. Thus you can get an international round-trip award ticket for just 19,200 Southwest points. These awards are capacity controlled however. A business class upgrade on Airtran is just 4,800 Southwest points.
Once they are in Airtran you can also transfer them back into Southwest’s old Rapid Rewards 1.0 program. In this program awards are just 16 credits (19,200 points) round-trip, no matter how expensive the flight is. These are also capacity controlled, but for some flights you will come out far ahead with this old program.
And as always, Southwest:
-Gives 2 free checked bags per passenger.
-Does not charge change fees to switch your flight. Whether you are on a paid or an award flight you can change without penalty!
-Does not charge a cancellation fee to cancel your flight (you will get Southwest credit for the full amount paid, even on non-refundable wanna get away fares) or to cancel and redeposit your award flight.
-Refunds the fare or point difference if the price of your flight goes down after you buy it, just call to get the credit at any time!
1
November 13th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Ok So i’m new at this and i figured I’d give it a shot.
I applied using the 2BM (which i understood to mean you fill out the exact same information on the page in 2 seperate browsers and hit apply at the same time) Well i must’ve done something wrong because two days later I got a letter in the mail saying I sent a duplicate application! I have not heard anything else from them.
Help! What did I do wrong?
Thanks Aaron
2
November 13th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
If I am going to open a card for myself and my wife separately should I do that in separate browsers at the same time or does it not make a difference? Or should I wait until I get one and then order another for my wife?
3
November 13th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@Aaron:
A 2BM, 3BM, 4BM etc is applying for different cards from the same bank.
@DanK:
The only reason for different browsers is to get approved for multiple cards for one person with just one pull.
If you apply for both of you then you will each get a pull no matter what.
4
November 13th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Will I get a refund of the annual fee if I cancel within 60 days?
5
November 13th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
if ive done this promo recently will i get it again?
6
November 13th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@Sam:
You always get an annual fee refund if you close a card within 60 days of being billed an annual fee.
@yitz:
I’d use a new mileage number and merge the accounts afterward.
7
November 13th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
How good does my credit need to be to get accepted for this card?
8
November 13th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
If I recently closed my Rapid reawards card after having it for a year, can I reapply and get the 50,000 points?
9
November 13th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
just churened 3bm for the new sign ups for the ink bold, ink plus and SP visa does it make sense now to apply for this card? i already have the ba and hyatt, or will they say i have to many in a short time
10
November 13th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
also when i did the 3bm i left out my email address so it didnt go right away i had to fill it in then submit it about 20 seconds after, is it still 1 pull or 2
11
November 13th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@Rachel:
There isn’t a science for that.
And you can always call Recon and negotiate if you are rejected.
@Dan:
Read the previous comments.
@hey:
If you are willing to move credit lines and close out other cards and make multiple phone calls to Recon then you can get pretty much anything approved.
@hey:
As long as the apps are on the same day then it’s typically just 1 pull.
The advantage of doing multiple browsers is to increase the odds of instant approvals.
12
November 13th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Thanks, Just got instant approval for 2 cards (my wife and I).
13
November 13th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
i dont want the card on my credit report could i apply for the buisness card
14
November 13th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@DanK:
If you apply for other Chase cards today you will only have the 1 credit pull.
15
November 13th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
what do you recommend, I have one chase sapphire preferred MC for me, and I have a business ink bold that should be arriving any day in the mail.
16
November 13th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Can I open a new card for my wife and merge the points afterward with my account?
17
November 13th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Is the AF waived for the first year?
18
November 13th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
i applied just a min ago for this card and another chase card. if i go apply now for the starwoods preffered (same day) will that be another inquiry on my credit?
19
November 13th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
One more question – Do the points expire?
Thanx
20
November 13th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
are you sure the sign up bonus counts toward the companian tickets a representitive told me it dosent qualiffy and if I open another card under a different rapid rewards number and then combine them would it add up for the companian tickets
21
November 13th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@DanK:
SP Visa? Hyatt? Marriott? United?
http://www.dansdeals.com/credit-cards
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8028.0
@Noah:
No.
@hunch:
See comment 4.
@jo:
It does count and then would also work.
22
November 13th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
dan. if i apply for a few credit cards on the same day, will they be a few inquiries, or, one inquiry?
23
November 13th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@rogers:
If they’re all from the same bank you will typically have just one inquiry.
24
November 13th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
can these points be combined with sapphire or freedom points?
25
November 13th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@smartcookie:
Ultimate Rewards points can go to Southwest (directly or via Hyatt if you want a free companion pass), but not vice versa.
26
November 13th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
If I did this last year, how do I get it again? How do I get a new mileage number?
27
November 13th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
can i get the 50,000 miles , cash them out and cancel in 60 days for a refund ?
what about if i cancel after 90 or 120 days. would they prorate the yearly fee ?
28
November 13th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
hey dan can i apply for this card and biz cards in a 3bm or will it be 2 pulls cuz of personal and biz? tx
29
November 13th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
If I am only opening for the 50k rewards and plan to close in a few months, wouldn’t I be better off with the Rapid Rewards Plus Card card i.e. only $69 annual fee?
30
November 13th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Thanks applied for 2 more SP Visa (one each), didn’t get instant approval will get an answer in 10 days.
31
November 13th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
is there any way I can open the card, get the points, and then close the card and keeping the points without paying the 99$ fee?
32
November 13th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Dan please call me I need to talk to you. You’re not in trouble don’t worry.
33
November 13th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
I just tried to apply and was told the offer is no longer good. 11/13/2012
34
November 13th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I have an sp visa and a freedom. I want to go for this but once I am want to use the opportunity to go for my first 3bm. What cards do recommend? Thanks
35
November 13th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@DynamoDave:
If you close within 2 months it won’t make a difference as you’ll get a refund either way.
It you keep it open and pay the annual fee then in 10 months (before the statement with the annual fee) you’ll get bonus 6,000 points ($114) with the Premier card versus 3,000 points ($57) with the Plus card.
@momo:
With AMEX you can mix business and personal for 1 pull, with Chase it’s usually 2 pulls.
@DanK:
You can also call Recon now if you want and if it goes well even get a 3rd card today on the same pull.
@yaakov:
Yes, the points stay in your account even after the card is closed.
@Dave:
Try another browser or browse incognito as explained here:
http://www.dansdeals.com/credit-cards
@Ed:
Hyatt? Marriott? United?
http://www.dansdeals.com/credit-cards
Or you can call to convert your SP Visa into a Mastercard and then apply for the Visa again and get the points again.
36
November 13th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Dan – what’s the best business credit card link for SW these days?
37
November 13th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Will I be charged right away the $99 fee?
Also, I just applied, any other Chase cards worth opening today?
38
November 13th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Can you elaborate on the companion ticket ? You mentioned you can book award flights for other people.. Does that mean you can book a companion with that flight.. or is the companion ticket only available if you are traveling ?
39
November 13th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
applied for a couple of chase cards recently (2BM), in addition removed a joint card holder from one of my accounts. Both of those were a credit pull. I also did a 2BM amex and one was approved right away and one abt a week later-appears to be that I got one pull right away and one the week later when the second card was approved. What is a max amount of pulls that one does not want to exceed-in what time frame?
thanks!
40
November 13th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Can I transfer my UR/Hyatt points to my wifes Southwest account so she can get get the accumilated 110,000 points?
41
November 13th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
@Jack:
Yes, though you can always close it.
Sapphire? Hyatt? Marriott? United?
http://www.dansdeals.com/credit-cards
@Cindy:
I have tons of pulls, this isn’t a science.
@Mo:
Just transfer your UR to your wife’s Hyatt and then to her Southwest account,
42
November 13th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
@DAN the link for business card isnt working…
43
November 13th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
hey dan if i have a sp visa and convert it into a master card do i get the 40000 sign up bonus for the master card? and how long after i get my mc can i reapply for a new sp visa? tx!
44
November 13th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
@ben:
No but then you can apply for the Visa again and get the 40,000 on that.
You may have to close the MC to get approved for the Visa. There’s no timeframe.
45
November 13th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
so that means 2 credit pulls correct? one to convert it into mc and then one when i apply again for the visa? tx so much!
46
November 13th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
@ben:
There’s no credit pull to convert to a MC.
47
November 14th, 2012 at 12:20 am
what is recon , and how do i contact them ?
48
November 14th, 2012 at 12:21 am
@levi:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/16036
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8028.0
49
November 14th, 2012 at 8:00 am
how do i not get the year fee? if i close do my miles expire?
50
November 14th, 2012 at 8:20 am
how long after I spend the 2000$ will I get the points? Cuz I wanna get the points before the sixty days are up this way I’ll get the points and don’t have to pay the 99$ fee.
51
November 14th, 2012 at 8:33 am
Dan, What is the best way to use Southwest Rapid rewards for a trip to Israel. I have almost 200,000 rewards points and I’m hoping that I can transfer them somehow for a flight to Israel. I know that Southwest gives you the option through their website, although the dates and flexibility are severely limited.
52
November 14th, 2012 at 9:12 am
@dave 23:
Any card closed within 60 days of an annual fee gets a refund.
Miles never expire with any activity every 24 months.
@yaakov:
The statement after you complete the spend.
@Meir:
Sell the points or the gift cards you can get and buy a ticket to Israel.
53
November 14th, 2012 at 10:09 am
@jo:
It’s coming up on the end of year qualifying for companion pass, and I’m short 13k.
What can I do now to transfer QUALIFYING COMPANION points efficiently ?
54
November 14th, 2012 at 10:11 am
@davidM:
Open a new card? Transfer Chase UR points?
55
November 14th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Hey everybody;
Who’s gonna pioneer to apply for 2 personal SW cc with 2 bm
rather than one business and one personal?
56
November 14th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
can i cancel after meeting spend requirement but before statement close to avoid the annual fee?
57
November 14th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
@Dan: @Dan:
I have sapphire points, and membership rewards points. How can I transfer into southwest companion qualified points (without applying for new cards)
58
November 14th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Dan, I just ( 2 weeks ago ) closed my southwest card a month after i saw a $69 annual fee and they refunded me the $69 but i dont see the 6000 points, what can i do reg that, is it too late?
Also if i apply again and have to call recon what excuse should i give them for reapplying?
59
November 14th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
how does it work with airtran thnx
60
November 15th, 2012 at 1:50 am
I applied for Premier and Plus with the same mileage number. When I spoke to a rep., he said I can only get the 50k once. Is that true, or will I get 50k for each card after I spend 2k on each?
61
November 15th, 2012 at 11:49 am
@Rami:
That card doesn’t come with 6,000 points.
@Miriam:
Ideally you should have applied with different mileage numbers.
I doubt any rep knows what will really happen so let us know if you find out!
62
November 15th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Dan,
I was approved for the pers. premier version a couple day ago and just apped and got approved for the bus. plus version today.
On both applications I left the RR# blank because I don’t have one.
I assume the first app will generate one for me and I will find it out when I receive my welcome packet. How about the second card though… do I call in later and get them to change the RR# to the same as the first? Or do I have two separate RR accounts? If they are separate, how do I combine the 50K + 50K?
Thanks in advance for all you do.
63
November 16th, 2012 at 1:44 am
Im kinda confused can someone explain how many kinds of southwest cards exist?
Thanks a bunch
64
November 16th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Rami, there are four. Premier Business, Premier Personal, Plus Business, Plus Personal.
65
November 16th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
so if i apply for one for my wife and one for my self thats a sweet 100k points
wow!
66
December 2nd, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Any idea what date these offers will end?
Also, if I don’t have Hyaat but have freedom points is there any way to transfer those to southwest to be eligible for companion pass?
Thanks