Originally Posted by
zachary
I have frequently -- and correctly -- been called "math challenged."
I'm on board with your first three rows, except that I thought to get the higher amount of bonus miles, you had to apply for the card with the higher fee. I know some people have reported getting the lower fee card plus the credits, but I figured that I'd have to pay the higher fee.
My math on the MW card may well be wrong. OP's original post said that there was a MW card with a 15K bonus. (I have not verified that.) I assumed that CO to Amtrak conversions would be at the same rate as MW to Amtrak (also possibly wrong). That would mean 15,000 MW = 15,000 Amtrak = 75,000 Choice = 30 RR credits.
Sorry, I've had too much work to do to figure out if I messed up. Please correct me if I have this wrong so that I don't mislead lots of people.
The only MW card I've found gives 12,500...not 15,000. Also, I read the t/c's on all of the cards and none of them specify that you have to have the higher fee card to get the credits. In fact, I got my first SW card with the $39 fee and did receive the 16 rewards credits. The SW biz card only has a $59 fee. Here is what each card says regarding the bonuses:
Continental Card
2. BONUS MILES Please allow approximately 6 to 8 weeks after your first purchase for bonus miles to post to your account. First purchase includes purchases, balance transfers, or any checks that are used to access your account. To qualify for bonus miles, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. This bonus offer is valid only for first-time Continental Airlines cardmembers with new accounts. Existing Continental Airlines cardmembers/accounts are not eligible. Only one bonus per account.
Southwest Personal Card
In certain circumstances, you may receive a Visa Classic card with different credit availability instead of a Visa Signature card. Some Classic card rewards and benefits are different from the Signature card rewards and benefits. Classic card rewards do not include the 2 Reward Dollars for each $1 of net purchases at participating Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Preferred Hotel and Rental Car Partners or the 2,400 Reward Dollars (2 Rapid Rewards credits) Annually after your anniversary. Classic card benefits include the bonus offer(s) described in this offer. The Classic card and Signature card have annual fees of $39 and $59, respectively. Once your account is opened, please see Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Program Rules and Regulations and your credit card benefits materials for details.
The Southwest Business Card gives you a link to look at the fees associated with the card. The only membership fee option is the $59!!!
Midwest Card
There are two cards that I can find out there. The first one has a $49 fee and gives you 12,500 miles on your first purchase + up to 10k miles for balance transfers. The second card has no fee and gives you 5,000 miles on your first purchase + up to 10k miles for balance transfers.
Sooooooooo...with the MW card you would essentially be paying $49 for an extra 10 RR credits vs the $0 fee card. Still not a bad deal IMO. However, it still only gets us to 92 RR credits. (I was off in my earlier numbers...I've edited that post to reflect 20 RR credits for 10,000 AGR/50,000 CHP instead of 10 RR credits). So now if we can find a card that gives 15,000 miles up front...then we're all set and the CP is in sight for anybody who wants it. Me...I'll just get the 72 credits I need and be on my way!
