Chase's Southwest Rapid Rewards CC general questions

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Does anybody have any insight towards this credit card? How hard/easy is to redeem free flights? What about customer service? Is the $59 AF really worth it?

I just checked my credit score (Equifax), it is currently 709 since I opened an account around 6 months ago. No real baddies just that I have an extremely short credit history. Even though I don't actually carry a balance, last month I did not pay before my other CC's closing dates, as such, I am at 29% util. This week they close again and I will have a $1 balance in just one of these accounts . I am really trying to get the Visa Signature version of this Credit Card given that it has some extra points-earning features. Do you believe I should rather wait so my score jumps a bit due to better util so I can get the Signature one?

[MrShush]

I had it--it is NOT worth it, IMO. They (Chase) screwed me on their offer terms which pretty much made the card worthless to me. Have a thread with the details:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/So-I-fired-Chase-yesterday-but-I-m-not-satisfied/m-p/69...

That said, a $59 annual fee, which unless stated otherwise, will be charged up front. If they are waiving the first fee and if you are able to get enough in Rapid Rewards credits, take it. Keep in mind, Southwest only allows you to redeem in 16 credit increments (1 round trip ticket); they do not do one-ways.

[jefftca925]

I just received the signature card after receiving a great offer... 32 credits after first swipe, 2 credits per year for renewal, and they have bonus point offers all the time that you.can accumalate.  My fico on EQ was around 750 and I already had 3 Chase cards for 2+ years.  The downside is that you can only use the points with SW.

[Anonymous]

@jefftca925 How do you get such a great offer? I can only find the one with 16 credits after first swipe (which is not all that bad either).

Anyone else have any insight before I pull the trigger?

[Uborrow-Upay]

Someone in another thread mentioned that the 32 credit offer appeared for him because he accessed it through an existing Rapid Rewards account online.

Don't know if this helps you or not, but I hope it does! 

[jefftca925]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@jefftca925 How do you get such a great offer? I can only find the one with 16 credits after first swipe (which is not all that bad either).

Anyone else have any insight before I pull the trigger?

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Signup for the Frequent Flyer programs of airlines you use.  I've received this offer like 3 times by e-mail and finally last month I pulled the trigger on it and was approved.  From what I've read though the approval is not instant on this card and you have to wait (2 weeks for me).  I've since received the card, used it once, the statement closed, and VOILA!! the credits are in my SW account and ready to be used.  I have to admit this was one of the easiest things to do (except for the waiting..LOL).  I also just got a Citi American Airlines Amex card for a 75k mile bonus offer they gave.  I'll be doing a lot of traveling in the near future.  Europe...HERE I COME!!  

[Anonymous]

Thank y'all...

I am still very undecided. I just checked my TU and it is 725. EQ is 709. My credit cards' statements closed on Friday (the 13th). As soon as the new balance report, I will have better chances of getting approved (0ed my balances). Does anybody know how long does it take for Wells Fargo and Discover to show up in TU and EQ after statement close?

[haulingthescoreup]

From what I've read, WF and Discover update on the statement date, but the wait is for Equifax and TransUnion to post the new balances. (Experian generally updates within 24 hours.)

They seem to be updating me a bit more promptly these days, but I'd still allow a week to 10 days. And for me, EQ is generally a day or two faster than TU.

(I know from personal experience that Discover updates the night that the statement drops. I've just read here that WF does the same.)