New Southwest RR 2.0 CCs- 20,000/30,000 Points
Mar 1, 2011, 11:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
New Southwest RR 2.0 CCs- 20,000/30,000 Points
Today marks the start of Rapid Rewards 2.0, with the most major change being Southwest is now issuing points instead of credits.
With that, Chase is launching two new CCs
20,000, $69 annual fee. 3,000 points ($50 in flights) awarded each anniversary.
30,000 , $99 annual fee. 6,000 points ($100 in flights) awarded each anniversary. 1,500 Tier Points for every 10,000 in spend.
Southwest is allowing those who have old credits (as few as .25) to convert "new" points to credits at 1,200 points = 1 credit so 20,000 points = 16.67 credits.
Whereas 8 credits = one way award in the old program, in the new program, 20,000 points are worth different amounts depending on the fare you are redeeming for:
Wanna Get Away: $333
Anytime: $200
Business Select: $167
30,000 points are worth:
Wanna Get Away: $500
Anytime: $300
Business Select: $250
With that, Chase is launching two new CCs
20,000, $69 annual fee. 3,000 points ($50 in flights) awarded each anniversary.
30,000 , $99 annual fee. 6,000 points ($100 in flights) awarded each anniversary. 1,500 Tier Points for every 10,000 in spend.
Southwest is allowing those who have old credits (as few as .25) to convert "new" points to credits at 1,200 points = 1 credit so 20,000 points = 16.67 credits.
Whereas 8 credits = one way award in the old program, in the new program, 20,000 points are worth different amounts depending on the fare you are redeeming for:
Wanna Get Away: $333
Anytime: $200
Business Select: $167
30,000 points are worth:
Wanna Get Away: $500
Anytime: $300
Business Select: $250
Last edited by thepointsguy; Mar 1, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Mar 1, 2011, 1:52 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...nup-bonus.html
and it includes discussion of both your questions there.
The 30k card has a higher annual fee. But it actually pays for itself, whereas the 20k bonus one doesn't. That's because the 20k card only gives you $50 worth of points every anniversary (not enough to offset the $69 annual fee), while the 30k card gives you $100 worth of points every anniversary (just enough to offset the higher $99 annual fee!).
So I guess despite the higher annual fee the 30k card is more worth it.
Mar 1, 2011, 2:16 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
Mar 2, 2011, 11:20 am
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 1,270
Mar 2, 2011, 11:26 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,262
Yeah, I figured that offer (2 rt tix) was toast as of March 1. Say "good-bye" to the SW epic period where RR's were truly exceptional. Seems that RR's is more geared toward the business customer now. I hope SW still offers bargain fares/sales on a periodical basis--I would hate to see that go away.
Mar 7, 2011, 6:10 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 168
Hmm, this would be interesting to find out being as I just got the old Chase RR card last fall (with a 32 credit bonus.) A chance to double down?