Southwest Airlines Credit Card Review

The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus - 2 Free Flights card is a great airline rewards card, not only because you get cash and bonus points for signing up but also because its a great airline to fly on.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program is just one example of how the airline works hard to keep their customers happy.  I have friends and family who have worked for Southwest and I’ve seen first hand how much they enjoyed flying for the airline, a welcome change compared to many airlines these days.

Southwest Credit Card Bonus

When you sign up for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus - 2 Free Flights card and buy your first ticket you’ll earn enough bonus points for 2 free flights.  Not only that, when you put your first flight on the card they’ll give you a credit on your card.

Southwest Promotions

Periodically you’ll find  Southwest promotions where they have a few day sale on their tickets.  In the latest one we bought round trip tickets to San Jose to visit some friends for half the price they would normally be.  Of course, with prices that low you’re not earning that many rewards, but it’s fine because you’re saving money!

One word of warning, the deals go quickly.  I was on the phone coordinating flights with another couple who’s traveling with us.  They clicked the Buy button thirty seconds before I did and got the last of the cheapest seats that day.  So keep your eye out for the deals and jump on the flights you want quickly.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest says that it’s airline rewards card allows you to earn free flights 20% faster than most other airline rewards cards.  I don’t know if that’s true but they do have a decent rewards program.  You earn double Reward Dollars for every $1 you spend on Southwest flights, Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partner purchases. All other purchases earn 1 Reward Dollar for every $1 spent.

The way you get your free flight is to redeem your Reward Dollars for Rapid Rewards credit, which can be used towards a free flight to anywhere that Southwest flies.  The conversion is 1,200 Reward Dollars = 1 Rapid Rewards credit and you need 16 Rapid Rewards credits to get a free flight.

There are a few ways you can earn bonus points, I already mentioned the two free flights for opening the card.  You can also earn bonus points for a balance transfers made within the first three months you have the card.  Lastly, Southwest gives you 3,000 Points each year you remain a Rapid Rewards card member.

As I said above, Southwest is a great airline to fly with, not just because of their low prices but also thanks to their customer care.  If you feel the same and fly Southwest then check out their rewards card and see if you can get a free flight.

Ben Edwards, the founder of Money Smart Life, saved up enough to buy a Nintendo back when he was 12 years old. When he used the money to buy shares of Wal-Mart stock instead, he knew he wasn't like the other kids... His addiction to personal finance has paid off for his family and now he's helping you to afford the life that you want. Check him out on the web at Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook.

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