Southwest Airlines Free Roundtrip Ticket After First Purchase ($59)

adiganifatwallet said: not a good deal at all if you compare with AMEX business with free 25,000 MR points.
24,000 MR points equal to 1 SouthWest round-trip tix.

Not a good deal at all if you compare with getting SW and AM3X business.

These promotions don't have to be mutually exclusive...I'm trying for them all!

One bonus credit will also be credited to your Rapid Rewards account for each $1,200 in balance transfers within the first 90 days from account opening, up to a maximum of 8 credits (or $9,600).

I did the old 8 credit one a couple of months ago (needed the credits to get a free ticket before they expired). At literally the 75 day mark, I received a 0% balance transfer offer. So I jumped on it. So YMMV, but theoretically this could be a 24 point deal with bonus interest money in a few months with the balance transfer.

There is no need to pay the annual fee! Once the points have been deposited in your SW account call and cancel the cards. Typically they will waive the fee completely or prorate it. I would guess the most you would 'have' to pay would be 1 month which comes to $59/12months = $4.91 for each card.

I would say you could get the first two flights for ~$5 each. The last flight will cost you $150 in BT fees + any interest. This is still a very good price if used correctly, but far from 'free.'

this is Hot. a round trip from Boston to LA for $59. Not to mention the fact taht you can apply for both a personal and business card for double the fun.

You nitpickers are really belong in the annals of nasty corksoakers.

redsox9547 said: I think this is a great deal because Southwest Free Tickets are so easy to use! IMO a Southwest ticket is certainly worth more than $59!

Link

$59 annual fee
Apply for the Rapid Rewards Visa Signature1 card and you’ll receive a FREE roundtrip Award after the first time you use your card2!

Receive 16 Rapid Rewards credits after the first time you use your card—that’s a free roundtrip Award!
PLUS, receive up to eight (8) more credits with balance transfers—halfway to another roundtrip Award!
PLUS, benefits never before offered3!

Double Reward Dollars on Southwest Airlines Vacations package purchases, in addition to Southwest Airlines flight purchases
Double Reward Dollars on Rapid Rewards Preferred Hotel and Rental Car Partner purchases
Two (2) Rapid Rewards credits every year on your Cardmember Anniversary
Exclusive, special offers only available to Cardmembers
Don’t miss out on your free seat! Apply today!

OP, where did you copy the text in your post from? I don't see the same wording in the link. In fact, the wording in the link could lead one to believe you get 16 credits only after 8 initial bonus rewards and 8 rewards for 8*$1200 balance transfers. BTW, 8 initial rewards is the normal offer for this card...I just received the same offer in the mail today.

EDIT: I now see the offer is clearly as the OP originally stated. See next post...

redsox9547 said: No, that's the normal offer. I saw a commercial today and I went to the website. When you click on the link you will see the website. then click on the part that says receive 16 bonus credits and you see
Receive 16 Rapid Rewards credits - enough for a roundtrip Award!1
• 16 bonus credits for making just one purchase!
• Up to 8 more credits with balance transfers made within the first 90 day

You can get up to 24, that's why I posted it!!

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't realize you could click on those text lines. This is a good deal!

Can someone advise which bureau FirstUSA pulls please? Much thanks for this thread - very useful!

Credits expire after 24 months. It used to be 12 months, but then they had absolutely no seat restrictions when you used the tickets.

So they quit doing open seating?

WalStMonky said: So they quit doing open seating?

SouthWest still does open seating.

The seat restriction on vouchers is not so much a seat restriction as a capacity restriction.
Just as the special offers become less available as the flight fills so does the ability to use the rapid reward voucher.
I don't know their formula however when the seats on a flight are mostly taken it is only possible to get a seat with one of the expensive full price tickets. I saw this when my father had to fly to Chicago for a funeral. I gave him one of my vouchers. He was unable to use it on the way out since the flight was almost full they made him buy a ticket. On the way back he was able to use the voucher.

Hopefully that helps clarify.

It seems like a good deal until you realise:

A) It's Southwest (ick).
B) No assigned seating.
C) Having to stand in one of three lines long before boarding so you don't get stuck with a middle seat.
D) Getting stuck in the middle seat if you don't get there way early.
E) No online check-in to get into that "A" group the night before if you have a common name, like I have, because invariably, there's a bad dude somewhere in the world with your name which puts you on the FBI list from which you have to manually cleared by the agent before having a BP issued (something I NEVER run into on AA or AS because they pre-clear their elites).
F) Having to go on multiple hop milk-runs to get to many destinations.
G) Worst of all--no upgrades because no first class!

SW is WAY more hassle then it is worth.

BTW--I have (I think) four SW credits in my account. If you know how to get them transferred to your account PM me--I will never use them.

pushback said: It seems like a good deal until you realise:

"pushback" what airline do you work for? how profitable has that airline been every year of its operation? how many new planes has it taken delivery of this year?

I fly southwest at least 40 round trips a year, some short haul some long haul. you learn a few things along the way:
1) a boarding group always
2) exit row seating 75%+ of the time (yes I have to sit in the a line while surfing the net
on my laptop, big hassle)
3) I *NEVER* run the risk of being sandwiched between passengers of "size"
4) save thousands versus the other airlines
5) have never paid a change fee, cancellation fee, etc
6) have always gotten a full credit for any price diference for any fare that's gone on sale
7) have gotten frequent flier rewards that I can actually use.. .fly short hauls to earn, fly
long hauls to redeem. more restrictions than before but still VERY usable
8) on long hauls you are very likely to get a new plane. In the past 6 direct long haul flights I've been on a 7 day old plane, a 3 month old plane, 3 1 year old planes, and the rest 2-6 year old planes.

EVEN with the tsa watchlist hassles you could likely start getting A's soon. if you book the tickets right with your middle name in the ticket etc that would help the issue, so would asking a ticketing agent to PLEASE help you clear up the TSA problem.

expert5186 said: pushback said: It seems like a good deal until you realise:


"pushback" what airline do you work for? how profitable has that airline been every year of its operation? how many new planes has it taken delivery of this year?

I fly southwest at least 40 round trips a year, some short haul some long haul. you learn a few things along the way:
1) a boarding group always
2) exit row seating 75%+ of the time (yes I have to sit in the a line while surfing the net
on my laptop, big hassle)
3) I *NEVER* run the risk of being sandwiched between passengers of "size"
4) save thousands versus the other airlines
5) have never paid a change fee, cancellation fee, etc
6) have always gotten a full credit for any price diference for any fare that's gone on sale
7) have gotten frequent flier rewards that I can actually use.. .fly short hauls to earn, fly
long hauls to redeem. more restrictions than before but still VERY usable
8) on long hauls you are very likely to get a new plane. In the past 6 direct long haul flights I've been on a 7 day old plane, a 3 month old plane, 3 1 year old planes, and the rest 2-6 year old planes.

EVEN with the tsa watchlist hassles you could likely start getting A's soon. if you book the tickets right with your middle name in the ticket etc that would help the issue, so would asking a ticketing agent to PLEASE help you clear up the TSA problem.

I don't work for any airline though I am a commercial rated pilot. Why would I want to subject myself to the treatment SW dishes out when I can fly other airlines that treat me right and actually make flying pleasurable. Since 2001 alone I have flown 207 flights of which I have been upgraded for free 110 times. (I am waiting at the gate at PDX right now--so I will be adding two more flights later tonight--of which one is an RJ (no there's no first class) and the other is a 737 which I have been upgaded on.) As an MVP Gold on AS I have been upgraded on every single (of roughly 24) segments I have flown this year. As an American AAdvantage Platinum I have been upgraded roughly 50% of the time. Also, if I am travelling with someone, they get the same treatment I get. All the way to the short lines at check in and through security to sitting next to me in first class. Do I need to tell you how nice it is to walk right past a 300 yard-long TSA line at JFK with everyone standing in it giving you a very envious look? My daughters think I’m some sort of magic man or something. And because I have crossed the 1,000,000 mile mark on AA I am lifetime gold. That will not get me many upgrades but it will keep me out of the long lines forever. When I hit 2,000,000 miles (I’m currently at 1,557,213) I will be lifetime Platinum and will get plenty of upgrades—for life. If I were on SW I would have a bunch of expiring credits.

Let me tell you how nice it was post 9/11 to be able to take my kids from San Francisco to NY City for a long weekend to catch a Broadway show and see a few museums when the coach fare was $170 and we got upgraded to F for free. My girls just love those ice cream sundaes the serve in first with the nuts and caramel syrup (actually syrup of your choice) on the AA transcons. I mean—why wouldn’t you? Unless of course you are being herded on the likes of Southwest.

When I have a long flight, like overseas, I come out a lot more refreshed when I get off the plane than someone who has done a SW milk-run, but let’s face it—after a long flight from say, Sao Paolo, you need a shower. No problem. Every member of my family has showered in AA Admirals clubs. It makes all the difference in the world when you are on a long-haul or have a long layover. All at no additional cost to me. So you stick by your SW cattle call but let me tell you, with 80 plus segments you are flying a year, I questions your sanity in doing so. I can’t tell you how many times I have taken my family to Maui, Orlando, Cozumel, Roma, all on miles and all in F.

OK—let’s see if I can address some of your specific points:

You are in Boarding Group A all the time.

I pre-board always, because I am Platinum (or MVP Gold) and I am usually in F. And I don’t have to stand in any line for 30 minutes to do it.

You get exits rows 75% of the time.

That’s tough to trump, but I can do it. I can reserve exit rows and until my upgrade clears I have it locked it. In an MD80 my favorite seat is 21A—the only time I take a window seat. (You will never find me in the middle).

Save thousands vs. other airlines.

Have you checked the fares lately? That may have been true once upon a time but I have seen many cases where the majors can beat SW fares—and besides, I will gladly pay a little more to arrive at my destination sane. So will my employer.

have never paid a change fee, cancellation fee, etc

Me neither.

have always gotten a full credit for any price diference (sic) for any fare that's gone on sale

SOP with most airlines.

have gotten frequent flier rewards that I can actually use.. .fly short hauls to earn, fly

You really don’t want me to list the places I have taken my family—in style. I really do feel for people boarding in coach when my family is already strapped in in F. My five year-old daughter would look so funny strapped into a seat three times her width.

on long hauls you are very likely to get a new plane. In the past 6 direct long haul flights I've been on a 7 day old plane, a 3 month old plane, 3 1 year old planes, and the rest 2-6 year old planes.

Say it isn’t so. New planes are only new until the get old. Every airline gets new planes. I mean, if that’s bragging rights, I don’t know how I can compete with that.

Watch list hassles.

They do not exist for me on AA or AS. Those airlines value my business. I had no idea they were even pre-clearing me until I ran into trouble on SW and they told me the other guys were pre-clearing me.

Bottom line is this. I am not rich and because I have taken the time to learn about these programs and how to work them to my (and my family’s) advantage, we fly in comfort—and folks on SW do not. Like I said, it’s a shame that with 80 segments you are not being treated better. You could be sitting up front with us, having free drinks, hot dinners, and ice cream sundaes!

I hope to see you there soon.

pushback said: expert5186 said: pushback said: It seems like a good deal until you realise:


"pushback" what airline do you work for? how profitable has that airline been every year of its operation? how many new planes has it taken delivery of this year?

I fly southwest at least 40 round trips a year, some short haul some long haul. you learn a few things along the way:
1) a boarding group always
2) exit row seating 75%+ of the time (yes I have to sit in the a line while surfing the net
on my laptop, big hassle)
3) I *NEVER* run the risk of being sandwiched between passengers of "size"
4) save thousands versus the other airlines
5) have never paid a change fee, cancellation fee, etc
6) have always gotten a full credit for any price diference for any fare that's gone on sale
7) have gotten frequent flier rewards that I can actually use.. .fly short hauls to earn, fly
long hauls to redeem. more restrictions than before but still VERY usable
8) on long hauls you are very likely to get a new plane. In the past 6 direct long haul flights I've been on a 7 day old plane, a 3 month old plane, 3 1 year old planes, and the rest 2-6 year old planes.

EVEN with the tsa watchlist hassles you could likely start getting A's soon. if you book the tickets right with your middle name in the ticket etc that would help the issue, so would asking a ticketing agent to PLEASE help you clear up the TSA problem.


I don't work for any airline though I am a commercial rated pilot. Why would I want to subject myself to the treatment SW dishes out when I can fly other airlines that treat me right and actually make flying pleasurable. Since 2001 alone I have flown 207 flights of which I have been upgraded for free 110 times. (I am waiting at the gate at PDX right now--so I will be adding two more flights later tonight--of which one is an RJ (no there's no first class) and the other is a 737 which I have been upgaded on.) As an MVP Gold on AS I have been upgraded on every single (of roughly 24) segments I have flown this year. As an American AAdvantage Platinum I have been upgraded roughly 50% of the time. Also, if I am travelling with someone, they get the same treatment I get. All the way to the short lines at check in and through security to sitting next to me in first class. Do I need to tell you how nice it is to walk right past a 300 yard-long TSA line at JFK with everyone standing in it giving you a very envious look? My daughters think I’m some sort of magic man or something. And because I have crossed the 1,000,000 mile mark on AA I am lifetime gold. That will not get me many upgrades but it will keep me out of the long lines forever. When I hit 2,000,000 miles (I’m currently at 1,557,213) I will be lifetime Platinum and will get plenty of upgrades—for life. If I were on SW I would have a bunch of expiring credits.

Let me tell you how nice it was post 9/11 to be able to take my kids from San Francisco to NY City for a long weekend to catch a Broadway show and see a few museums when the coach fare was $170 and we got upgraded to F for free. My girls just love those ice cream sundaes the serve in first with the nuts and caramel syrup (actually syrup of your choice) on the AA transcons. I mean—why wouldn’t you? Unless of course you are being herded on the likes of Southwest.

When I have a long flight, like overseas, I come out a lot more refreshed when I get off the plane than someone who has done a SW milk-run, but let’s face it—after a long flight from say, Sao Paolo, you need a shower. No problem. Every member of my family has showered in AA Admirals clubs. It makes all the difference in the world when you are on a long-haul or have a long layover. All at no additional cost to me. So you stick by your SW cattle call but let me tell you, with 80 plus segments you are flying a year, I questions your sanity in doing so. I can’t tell you how many times I have taken my family to Maui, Orlando, Cozumel, Roma, all on miles and all in F.

OK—let’s see if I can address some of your specific points:

You are in Boarding Group A all the time.

I pre-board always, because I am Platinum (or MVP Gold) and I am usually in F. And I don’t have to stand in any line for 30 minutes to do it.

You get exits rows 75% of the time.

That’s tough to trump, but I can do it. I can reserve exit rows and until my upgrade clears I have it locked it. In an MD80 my favorite seat is 21A—the only time I take a window seat. (You will never find me in the middle).

Save thousands vs. other airlines.

Have you checked the fares lately? That may have been true once upon a time but I have seen many cases where the majors can beat SW fares—and besides, I will gladly pay a little more to arrive at my destination sane. So will my employer.

have never paid a change fee, cancellation fee, etc

Me neither.

have always gotten a full credit for any price diference (sic) for any fare that's gone on sale

SOP with most airlines.

have gotten frequent flier rewards that I can actually use.. .fly short hauls to earn, fly

You really don’t want me to list the places I have taken my family—in style. I really do feel for people boarding in coach when my family is already strapped in in F. My five year-old daughter would look so funny strapped into a seat three times her width.

on long hauls you are very likely to get a new plane. In the past 6 direct long haul flights I've been on a 7 day old plane, a 3 month old plane, 3 1 year old planes, and the rest 2-6 year old planes.

Say it isn’t so. New planes are only new until the get old. Every airline gets new planes. I mean, if that’s bragging rights, I don’t know how I can compete with that.

Watch list hassles.

They do not exist for me on AA or AS. Those airlines value my business. I had no idea they were even pre-clearing me until I ran into trouble on SW and they told me the other guys were pre-clearing me.

Bottom line is this. I am not rich and because I have taken the time to learn about these programs and how to work them to my (and my family’s) advantage, we fly in comfort—and folks on SW do not. Like I said, it’s a shame that with 80 segments you are not being treated better. You could be sitting up front with us, having free drinks, hot dinners, and ice cream sundaes!

I hope to see you there soon.

Lets see, on US Airways I can get a US Airways Visa card, pay the $90 annual fee and always check in at the first class counter, and board early too. And don't have to fly 2,000,000 miles to get it. Just pay $90 per year.....

I got the Classic card instead of the Signature card, but looks like that will be ok per the T&C: "Classic card benefits include the bonus offer(s) described in this offer."

redsox9547 said: Lets see, on US Airways I can get a US Airways Visa card, pay the $90 annual fee and always check in at the first class counter, and board early too. And don't have to fly 2,000,000 miles to get it. Just pay $90 per year.....

But then you have to fly on US Airways...

FWIW I tried applying for both personal and business ... was denied for the biz because it was "too soon after i had applied for another card with chase" ... will probably try in a little bit, or maybe after I cancel the personal card.

anyone have success with both at once?

cklennon said: FWIW I tried applying for both personal and business ... was denied for the biz because it was "too soon after i had applied for another card with chase" ... will probably try in a little bit, or maybe after I cancel the personal card.

I have a United card with chase and the rule of thumb there is 3 mo's between new cards.

I submitted the application for 8 RR credits (old/original offer) and received the credits into my SWA account about 2 days after my first statement cut. FAST!!!