Journey demand has skyrocketed in 2023, which implies so have the prices. Nevertheless, savvy vacationers can use a journey rewards card to their benefit and leverage perks like rewards and bonus gives to offset their spending.
Southwest is one such issuer that provides a bunch of profitable rewards and perks to cardholders. And useful adjustments are coming to Southwest Fast Rewards® bank cards. Particularly, the sign-up bonus supplied to new prospects is rising from 50,000 factors to 75,000 factors. Right here’s what you want to find out about snagging this provide and benefiting from your airline bank card.
Southwest will increase its bonus for brand spanking new cardholders
The Southwest Fast Rewards® Plus Credit score Card, Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card, and Southwest Fast Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card have an up to date sign-up bonus provide. Now, cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Beforehand, new cardholders may earn a 50,000 bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The brand new sign-up bonus requires a bigger spending threshold to be met with a purpose to qualify. Nevertheless, the massive bonus quantity of 75,000 factors goes a good distance towards masking future purchases, whether or not it’s a dream trip, vacation presents, or simply about every other function.
Overview of Southwest Fast Rewards® bank cards
Southwest gives three totally different rewards playing cards for people. For those who’re fascinated with making use of for one, it’s vital to select the cardboard that greatest matches your spending and journey habits. Listed here are the important thing factors it is best to find out about every card:
Fast Rewards Precedence Credit score Card
Annual charge: $149
Rewards:
- 3X factors on Southwest® purchases, together with flight, inflight, and Southwest present playing cards
- 2X factors on Fast Rewards® resort and automobile rental companions
- 2X factors on native transit and commuting, together with rideshare
- 2X factors on web, cable, and telephone companies; choose streaming
- 1X factors on all different purchases
Extra advantages and perks:
- $75 Southwest® annual journey credit score annually
- 4 Upgraded Boardings yearly when out there
- Increase of 10,000 Companion Cross® qualifying factors yearly
- Earn 1,500 tier qualifying factors (TQPs) towards A-Checklist standing for each $10,000 spent in purchases yearly
- 25% again on inflight purchases
- 7,500 anniversary factors annually
Study extra in regards to the Southwest Fast Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card right here.
Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card
Annual charge: $99
Rewards:
- 3X factors on Southwest® purchases, together with flight, inflight, and Southwest present playing cards
- 2X factors on Fast Rewards® resort and automobile rental companions
- 2X factors on native transit and commuting, together with rideshare
- 2X factors on web, cable, and telephone companies; choose streaming
- 1X factors on all different purchases
Extra advantages and perks:
- 2 EarlyBird Verify-In® annually
- Increase of 10,000 Companion Cross® qualifying factors yearly
- Earn 1,500 tier qualifying factors (TQPs) towards A-Checklist standing for each $10,000 spent in purchases yearly
- 25% again on inflight purchases
- 6,000 anniversary factors annually
Study extra in regards to the Southwest Fast Rewards® Premier Credit score Card right here.
Fast Rewards Plus Credit score Card
Annual charge: $69
Rewards:
- 2X factors on Southwest® purchases, together with flight, inflight, and Southwest present playing cards
- 2X factors on Fast Rewards® resort and automobile rental companions
- 2X factors on native transit and commuting, together with rideshare
- 2X factors on web, cable, and telephone companies; choose streaming
- 1X factors on all different purchases
Extra advantages and perks:
- 2 EarlyBird Verify-In® annually
- Increase of 10,000 Companion Cross® qualifying factors yearly
- 25% again on inflight purchases
- 3,000 anniversary factors annually
Study extra in regards to the Southwest Fast Rewards® Plus Credit score Card right here.
How you can take advantage of your airline rewards card
Maximizing the advantages of an airline rewards bank card doesn’t should be tough. However it does require a little bit of strategic spending in your half. Listed here are a number of suggestions that can assist you get probably the most out of your card, whether or not you select Southwest or one other airline:
- Know the sign-up bonus necessities: Many airline bank cards provide beneficiant sign-up bonuses, however they normally include a spending requirement. Be certain you understand how a lot you want to spend and in what time-frame with a purpose to earn the bonus. An enormous sign-up bonus will not be price it if you find yourself taking up too excessive of a stability to get it.
- Perceive the incomes construction: Whereas some rewards playing cards provide a flat earnings fee on all purchases, many have tiered rewards that provide larger earnings on some classes. For instance, journey reward playing cards usually provide extra factors or miles for airline and resort purchases, whereas different varieties of rewards playing cards would possibly give bonus factors for eating or leisure purchases. Familiarize your self with the way you earn factors, miles, or money again with a specific card, and make sure that the rewards construction is an efficient match on your spending habits.
- Keep away from carrying a stability: The rates of interest on bank cards may be excessive—typically round 20% or extra. Keep away from carrying a stability from month to month, because the curiosity expenses can shortly negate the worth of any rewards earned.
- Keep loyal: Flying with the identical airline or alliance can assist you accumulate factors or standing quicker. So when planning journey, goal to stay with the identical airline (so long as it makes monetary sense).
- Have a redemption technique: Most bank card issuers provide a number of methods to redeem rewards, and a few choices could give extra worth to factors or miles than others. That’s why it’s vital to grasp the perfect methods to redeem your miles. Whereas flights are the commonest redemption, generally utilizing factors for seat upgrades, associate airline flights, or different travel-related bills can provide higher worth.
- Contemplate the annual charge: It’s widespread for rewards bank cards have annual charges (although not all do). Typically, the higher the rewards and perks, the upper the charge. So take into account if the advantages you obtain from the cardboard outweigh this charge. In some instances, the perks, like free checked baggage and airport lounge entry, can simply justify the charge. In different instances, chances are you’ll be higher off with a card that doesn’t cost an annual charge.
The takeaway
For those who’re an avid traveler, a journey rewards card can assist you earn a reimbursement in your spending, plus get different useful travel-related perks. And in case you’re trying to open a brand new card, selecting one with a welcome bonus can improve the worth much more. That stated, it’s vital to pay your stability on time and in full every month in order that curiosity expenses and late charges don’t wipe out your earnings.
For Southwest prospects, now is a superb time to open a brand new Fast Rewards bank card. Nevertheless, you’ll want to examine the rewards vs. charges and select a card that most closely fits your finances and spending habits.
Please observe that card particulars are correct as of the publish date, however are topic to vary at any time on the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the cardboard issuer to confirm charges, charges, and advantages earlier than making use of.
