Chase/Southwest question

[YAK25]

Hi, CBers!

 

Looking for advice about Chase and Southwest cards, particularly how it applies to obtaining a Companion Pass. Any input is appreciated, especially if you have personal experience with any of the scenarios described below. As always, thank you all SO MUCH for any help that you can provide!

 

Long story short, I have determined that it was time to update my credits cards earlier this fall. Particularly, I decided I finally want to get the CSP, for its 2x points on dinning and travel and the transfer options into Southwest and United, which are the number one and two airlines that I fly. I also decided that I really, really want to get the Southwest's Companion Pass, preferably earlier on in 2015, so that it would be good for almost two years.

 

So, with that in mind, my initial plan (which, I admit, I didn't really think through really well) was to obtain the Southwest Premier Card and then obtain the CSP. I was hoping to get the 50,000 Rapid Rewards points bonus post on my account in early January and have the CSP's 45,000 post some time in February. From there, I was going to transfer 50,000 UR points to Southwest, through Hyatt, earning me 30,000 Rapid Rewards points. After that, I would just need 30,000 more Rapid Rewards points, which I planned on getting through travel and using my Southwest Premier Card. Since I fly Southwest a lot, my plan was to keep both the Southwest Premier and CSP, despite the annual fees.

 

Well, I applied and was approved for the Southwest Premier as planned in about a month ago I am almost to my spending threshold and will wait to hit the $2,000 spend mark until after the New Year's, so that the 50,000 bonus will post in 2015, instead of 2014. So far, so good.

 

But then I realized, that I would rather spend the 45,000 UR points from CSP's bonus on a flight to Europe on United, instead of "wasting" them by transferring to Southwest through Hyatt, thus significantly de-valuing them. Hmmm, dilemma. How to keep the UR points but still obtain the Companion Pass for Southwest early on in 2015?

 

So, one solution is to apply for and obtain the Southwest Plus card, which is the younger brother of the Southwest Premier. The annual fee is less and I think you get less rewards overall, but the sign-up bonus is still 50,000 after spending $2,000. If I can be approved for the Plus card now and get the 50,000 points to post to my account early on in 2015, I will have 100,000 of the 110,000 required points for the Companion Pass. I can then apply for CSP and have that as my daily spender card. In the alternative, I can apply for CSP at the same time as Southwest Plus. These approaches pose two questions, however. And it is those questions that I hope someone on here has dealt with previously and/or has wise advice to disperse on.

 

First and the most important question is can I get the 50,000 sign-up bonus for BOTH the Southwest Premier and Southwest Plus cards? The terms and conditions for both say: "This new cardmember bonus offer is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this consumer credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this consumer credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this consumer credit card within the last 24 months."

 

The more precise question is what do they mean by "this consumer credit card"? At first glance, it would seem that the Southwest Premier and Southwest Plus cards are different consumer credit cards, seeing as they have different annual fees, different bonus structure, etc. However, I do not want to obtain the card, only to find out that I can't get the bonus after making the required spend because I already received a similar bonus on their different card. So, does anyone have any thoughts on this? Have you or has anyone you know successfully applied for both cards within two years and received both bonuses? Has anyone applied for both and been denied the second bonus? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

 

The second, and no less important, question is what are my chances of being approved for so many Chase cards? I currently have two Chase cards, the United MileagePlus Explorer (opened beginning of 2013) and the Southwest Premier (opened a month ago). If I app'ed for another one or two Chase cards, would that cause me to be declined for one or both? Would you suggest applying for the Southwest Plus now, and then applying for CSP in two or three months? Or should I app for both cards on the same day? Also, do you think there is any chance of getting denied for the Southwest Plus card solely on the ground that I already have the Southwest Premier Card? If anyone has had experience applying for several/multiple Chase cards within a short period or even over a period of 24 months, any feedback and suggestions would be greatly welcome!

 

Phew. That was a much longer post that I intended. But I figured more is less, especially when trying to get meaningful advice. As mentioned above, any and all feedback is GREATLY appreciated!! Thank you guys so much! :-)

[IndyPoolPlayer]

I don't think points that get transferred to RR counts towards Companion Pass.

[YAK25]

I don't think points that get transferred to RR counts towards Companion Pass.

 

You are partially correct. Points directly from CSP do not get counted. But it is my understanding that points from partner hotels, such as Marriott or Hyatt, do get counted toward the Companion Pass. So, if I transfer 50,000 UR points straight into 50,000 RR points, they do not get counted. But if I first transfer 50,000 UR points to Hyatt, and then those into RR for 30,000 points (24,000 for every 50,000 plus 6,000 bonus), they apparently do get counted for the Companion Pass.

Edited November 17, 2014 by YAK25

[IndyPoolPlayer]

 

I don't think points that get transferred to RR counts towards Companion Pass.

 

You are partially correct. Points directly from CSP do not get counted. But it is my understanding that points from partner hotels, such as Marriott or Hyatt, do get counted toward the Companion Pass.

 

You are correct. Hotels, car rentals, basically anything you spend money to earn points counts towards Companion Pass. It DOES NOT count towards A-List. I still need two round trips before December 30th to preserve A-List for next year.

[KUDave]

I believe points from hotels transferred in count towards the pass but others dont. You should be OK applying for the other card and getting the points. They are completely seperate products by chase.

[YAK25]

 

 

I don't think points that get transferred to RR counts towards Companion Pass.

 

You are partially correct. Points directly from CSP do not get counted. But it is my understanding that points from partner hotels, such as Marriott or Hyatt, do get counted toward the Companion Pass.

 

You are correct. Hotels, car rentals, basically anything you spend money to earn points counts towards Companion Pass. It DOES NOT count towards A-List. I still need two round trips before December 30th to preserve A-List for next year.

 

 

You should fly before November 20, 2014 and fly Business Select. You'll get 15x base fare (12x for business select and extra 25% b/c you are A-list). plus they are having a promotion right now that if you register and fly before November 20, you get three times the number of RR. Now, those extra points do not count for A-list, but they will in effect offset the price of the business select fare, because you will essential get 45x base fare in points.

Edited November 17, 2014 by YAK25

[IndyPoolPlayer]

Unfortunately I'm not scheduled to travel until December. I was supposed to go to NJ tomorrow but that's now postponed. I have a trip to Oakland scheduled for 2nd week in December, the NJ trip is probably going to be the 3rd week. And by company policy all travel is bought "Wanna Get Away" fares.

 

I seem to do this every year. Last year I flew my 25th flight on New Year's Eve from Orlando back home to preserve A-List for this year.

[YAK25]

I believe points from hotels transferred in count towards the pass but others dont. You should be OK applying for the other card and getting the points. They are completely seperate products by chase.

 

I would think so. But, on the other hand, they are both Chase Southwest cards. Would be great to know if someone has actually applied for both cards and received both bonuses.

[moneypyts]

Plus and Premier are indeed separate cards, I've gotten 100,000 miles this year by applying for both of them.

 

Million Mile Secrets and The Points Guy have posts on this that might help. Also, the Flyertalk Southwest thread. Lots of reading, but you're potentially saving yourself hundreds of dollars, so its worth a little research.

 

http://millionmilesecrets.com/2014/11/05/great-timing-for-the-companion-pass-50000-point-bonus-on-all-4-southwest-cards-is-back/

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/04/ultimate-rewards-sweet-spot-transfer-to-marriott-for-hotel-air-packages-with-southwest-points-for-companion-pass/

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-airlines-rapid-rewards/1433146-chase-southwest-visa-50-000-rapid-reward-points-offers-105.html

 

For multiple applications, apply for the one you really want first (sounds like Southwest) then try for the second one on the same day. Preferably before noon, so you can call and ask for reconsideration if denied. Even if the second application is denied, you will probably only have one hard pull on your credit report.

 

MP

[kayvebear]

Anyone know how long the signup bonus miles take to post to southwest once you hit 3k$ spending?

[hyschmied]

Usually after the statement closes that you meet the spend during. How it was for me.

[MickeyChick]

Anyone know how long the signup bonus miles take to post to southwest once you hit 3k$ spending?

 

 

Usually after the statement closes that you meet the spend during. How it was for me.

 

Unless you meet the spend very close to the statement closing date - then the points will post on the next statement

[kayvebear]

Good.. I met a beautiful girl from Wisconsin while in India and I want to fly her to California