This 100,000-point Southwest bonus card is one of the best on the market

Saving money on flights is never a bad idea, especially as the price of airline tickets is expected to increase. With rising inflation, airlines struggling to hire workers, and soaring jet fuel prices, there are many signs that the cost of flights is inevitable.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said on CNBC’s “Squawk On The Street” on Wednesday that rising operating costs would be passed on to consumers. So other than the idea of ​​avoiding the plane, consumers have few options to avoid the price hike. But one way to still save on paying for airline tickets is to use points and miles.

The recent launch of new 100,000 point welcome bonuses on Southwest credit cards gives consumers the opportunity to save big on future trips. And to date, this is one of, if not the best, welcome offer in the credit card market. These points are worth over $ 1,400 for Southwest flights. Plus, earning the welcome bonus will get you closer to earning a perk that allows you to bring a companion with you for almost free on unlimited Southwest flights.

Here’s what you need to know about deals, how to maximize flying with Southwest Airlines, and how you can earn valuable travel rewards this holiday season.

Southwest Airlines currently has three consumer credit cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Each of them enjoys the same welcome bonus during this promotional period. If you apply and are approved before December 7, 2021, you can earn up to 100,000 Quick Rewards points:

You can earn 50,000 points after spending $ 2,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening your account, plus an additional 50,000 points after spending $ 12,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 12 months of your account. membership in the card.

The most notable of these three cards is the Southwest Plus Credit Card, as you can earn 100,000 points with a modest annual fee of $ 69. This is important because many cards that come with big bonuses often come with a high annual fee.

Whichever card you select, by the time you hit the minimum spending thresholds, you’ll have earned at least 112,000 points. And with many people valuing Southwest Rapid Rewards points at 1.4 cents per point, that will give you an initial value of over $ 1,500.

These points can be extended for multiple roundtrip flights across the country. For example, a round trip flight from Los Angeles, CA (LAX) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) in January is just under 14,000 points. With 112,000 points, you can book this route eight times.

In addition to being able to book almost free tickets with Southwest Points, the airline is known for its solid customer service and outstanding checked baggage policy. Unlike all the other airlines nationwide that charge north of $ 30 to check in one bag, all Southwest travelers can check in two bags for free.

However, the benefit that makes Southwest even more economical for consumers is the famous Companion Pass. advantage.

Southwest Airlines Companion Pass and how to get it

If you regularly travel with another person, imagine if you could still take them without having to pay for their ticket. That’s exactly what the Southwest Companion Pass gives you, and with a Southwest credit card in your wallet you can get it even faster.

Concretely, the Companion Pass allows you to designate another person who will be your companion. This person can travel with you for free on any Southwest flight, less taxes and fees. When traveling within the United States, it typically costs $ 5.60 per one-way flight. The best part is that you can use this perk as many times as you want as long as your pass is active.

To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you must fly 100 one-way flights on Southwest or earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Unless you travel regularly for work or leisure, 100 flights a year are out of reach. However, the 125,000 point threshold is much more accessible because the points you earn on a Southwest credit card count towards earning the Companion Pass, including points earned through a welcome bonus.

So, after you hit the minimum spend threshold and get the 100,000 point welcome bonus, you will be on your way to achieving the points needed to earn the valuable benefit.

And once you’ve got the Companion Pass, you’ll have it for the rest of the year, plus the entire following year. For example, if you hit the 125,000 point mark in January 2022, you will have the Companion Pass for the rest of the year and all of 2023.

Before you apply, make sure you are under the dreaded Chase 5/24 rule. This benchmark is set by Chase Bank and means that if you have been approved for five or more lines of credit in the past 24 months, you will automatically be refused for any Chase credit card product.

Southwest Airlines’ credit card welcome offers are the highest ever and are worth over $ 1,400 for the trip. Between the three consumer cards, as well as the two professional credit cards (Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card) there are valuable rewards to be earned for your daily spending.

However, before applying for the card, it is important to plan a bit in advance. Since consumer cards require large expenses ($ 12,000) over an entire year, it would be wise to plan large purchases in advance so you don’t find yourself struggling to meet spending thresholds. That being said, if you can spend an average of $ 1,000 per month, you could earn the 100,000 point welcome offer and be on your way to earning the Companion Pass.

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