PearlWhiteGT

toomanybooks

NoStressHere

If you go 2-3 times a year, and you usually buy early boarding, get the higher priced card. You get 4 gate upgrades per year, and I think it was 7,000 miles and a $75 travel credit which can be applied against any tickets you buy.

Remember, the BEST USE OF CREDIT CARDS is the sign up bonus. You pick up a quick 50-60,000 miles/points if you hit the spending levels. Using a card for day to day expenses does get points, but very, very slowly.

Critterlynn

Unless you are trying to earn the companion pass, I would stick with the Sapphire. It also has a 60000 points sign up bonus. This card does carry a $99 annual fee, however this fee is waived the first year. You will also earn 2 points on all travel and dining whereas with any of the Southwest cards you only earn two points on Southwest purchases.

The benefit of ultimate reward points is they are more flexible to use. They can be transferred over to Southwest, or they can be used to make purchases through the Chase travel portal where they are worth 25% more. If you pair this card up with the Chase freedom or the Chase freedom unlimited (which have higher earning potential), you can combine points. using this method it's not hard to average two points per dollar spent. This is twice as much as you would earn on the Southwest cards.

PearlWhiteGT

Thanks for the replies. I do only fly southwest, at least that is the only airline I have flown with in the past 15+ years. I only have one other credit card that I have had for a few years which is the Capital One Venture One where I earn 1.25 miles per every dollar spent and no annual fee. I don't think I would ever spend enough to get the companion pass from SW. I do like the 4 upgrades per year but could live without them. If I'm not mistaken I have to spend twice as much in the first 3 months with the Sapphire Card to get the signup bonus compared to SW.

Does the Chase Travel Portal have good deals on flights like SW does? Also what all does dinning actually mean. Restaurants only or does stopping by the local fast food place count as dinning as well?

Critterlynn

Yes you do need to spend twice as much. However, you need to remember that the annual fee is waved the first year.

Dining can be anything from McDonald's to fine dining.

Edit: when booking through Chase (you must call as flights will not be shown on the portal) the price you will pay will be a direct reflection of what is showing on Southwest.com. And yes, you will receive an extra 25% more value when booking through them. However, the best value would be to transfer points directly over to Southwest and do a points booking.

rove312

The Chase Travel Portal doesn't show Southwest flights; it was recently reinstated that you can phone to do booking of Southwest flights with Chase points, using their formula of points conversion to the same fare that shows on the SWA site, or convert the Chase points to Southwest RR.

Dining on the CSR should include fast food and coffee shops. The deli counter at the grocery store or gas station would be less likely. Paid parking generally counts as travel.

PearlWhiteGT

Do you still get the 25% more using the chase portal if having to call to do the booking? If I convert the chase points to SW rewards won't I lose the 25%? The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards the sapphire card.

Critterlynn

I forgot to mention that you must call in to book these flights but yes you do get 25% more.

You will not get an extra 25% on points that are transferred over but, the points are generally worth more and they're fully refundable if you need to cancel.

​​​​​​I edited my post above.

PearlWhiteGT

Thanks for the info. I am planning to book a flight on SW here real soon so if I apply today for the card how long is the normal process before I can actually use the card if I get approved? I'd like to use it for this trip along with another one we plan on booking soon too.

PearlWhiteGT

Just got a notice from my local federal credit union (Navy Federal) with a offer for one of their cards. 3X points on travel, 2X points on everything else. 50,000 bonus points after spending $4000 in the first 90 days. Receive statement credit (up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check. $0 annual fee for the first year and $49 annual fee applies thereafter. How does this look compared to the Sapphire Preferred?

NoStressHere

You are missing the point here.

Your best way to get points is via the signup bonus. Sure, you get some points on each flight you book, but in the big picture, those are small potatoes. (I would say peanuts, but they no longer serve them on WN)

PearlWhiteGT

I understand and that is why I'm wondering how long before I can use the card. I will have a hard time spending $4K in the first 90 days so if I can book this trip using the card it will help me greatly at getting closer to the $4K I have to spend.

guv1976

Why not just apply for the regular Capital One Venture card? The annual fee is waived the first year; you'll get 50,000 points (worth $500) if you charge $3,000 within the first year; and many people -- myself included -- got a fee waiver for the second year of card membership just by asking. Plus, that card also reimbursed you for enrollment in TSA Precheck, which can make your airport experience a little more pleasant.

NoStressHere

As to hitting the spend. Some legit ways to get there.

Insurance bills (car, health, home)
Prepay utility bills (cell, tv, internet)
Gift cards for places you buy groceries, gas, etc. (for personal use... though some do a funky resale, etc... not going there)

This all assumes you have the cash to pay the bill when it comes in a few weeks. These are all things you are going to spend anyways. Just sooner.