We've covered the WHAT, now let's break into the HOW.
I'll start this way: This is the easy way. If you can manage to use this strategy you will get your Companion pass more quickly with less effort. In Part 3 I'll detail alternative routes.
The Strategy
I decided to go the route of signing up for 2 Rapid Rewards Credit Cards where the combined sign up bonuses were equal to the 110,000 points needed for a companion pass.
Minimum Spend in 90 days: $3,000
Bonus: 60,000 Points
In early 2018 the rules surrounding Rapid Rewards Credit Cards changed. Previously anyone could get two personal Southwest cards and take advantage of the two bonuses. This was altered so that you can only receive a sign up bonus from 1 personal Rapid Rewards Credit Card every 24 months.
So how did I get around this? Enter the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card. For me it was easy. I have been operating my LuLaRoe business as a sole proprietor for the last 3 years. I applied using my SSN and was approved about a week later. You can also make this work if you have any type of side gig where you work as a contractor, freelancer, sell goods, etc.
Card #2 - Rapid Rewards Priority Card
Minimum Spend in 90 days: $2,000
Bonus: 50,000 Points
Since the business card came with a 60,000 point sign up bonus, the goal was to get a 50,000 point bonus on the personal card. The sign up bonuses can vary from month to month. When I was getting ready to apply last fall the going rate was 40K points with a minimum spend of $1,000, which is where it is at right now.
HOWEVER, when we flew to Aruba on Southwest in October I discovered the in-flight/airport kiosk offer was 50k for the exact same cards with a little higher minimum spend! We very luckily had a trip scheduled to BWI at the end of November. I applied and was auto approved while in the air!
If you'll be taking a Southwest flight soon, or will be in an airport with a kiosk such as BWI, that's your best bet! If not, taking the 40,000 point offer will leave you (after minimum spends) with 104,000 points. Part 3 will give you an idea of how to close that last 6,000 points!
Tweaks & Options
There are 3 options for a personal card. I picked the Priority because it fit my needs the best with no international fees and I thought it was the best bang for your buck with $75 in annual travel credit & a few upgraded boardings so Adam (my 6’7” husband companion) can get good seats on long flights. All personal cards carry the same sign up bonus. *Disclaimer if you do apply for any of the cards using my link I will receive a referral bonus.
Need to bridge the 40K sign up bonus? Can't apply for the Business Card? Your hopes and dreams are not dead yet! Part 3 has all the extra ways to earn points that count towards your companion pass.
Data points for the nerdy ones like me:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Applied: Nov 9 Card received: Nov 17 Minimum Spend in 3 Mo for Bonus: $3,000 Bonus: 60,000 points Annual Fee: $99 Anniversary Bonus: 6,000 points
Month 1 Spend: $523.52 + $99 Annual Fee Month 1 Points: 524 Month 1 Close Date: 12/2/18 Points Delivered: 12/3/18 Spend to go: $2476.48
Month 2 Spend: $2504.27 Month 2 Points: 2505 Month 2 Close Date: 1/2/19 Points Delivered: 1/7/19 Spend to go: $0
Month 3 Spend: $376.39 Month 3 Points: 377 Month 3 Close Date: 2/2/19 Points Delivered: 2/3/19 Spend to go: $0
Bonus Amount: 60,000
Bonus Delivered: 2/3/19
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Applied: Nov 29 Card received: Dec 6 Minimum Spend in 3 Mo for Bonus: $2,000 Bonus: 50,000 points Annual Fee: $149 Annual Travel Credit: $75 Anniversary Bonus: 7,500 points
Month 1 Spend: $1,697.90 + $149 Annual Fee Month 1 Points: 1698 Month 1 Close Date: 12/28/18 Points Delivered: 12/29/18 Spend to go: $302.10
Month 2 Spend: $1,380.08 Month 2 Points: 1,381 Month 2 Close Date: 1/28/19 Points Delivered: 1/30/19 Spend to go: $0
Bonus Amount: 50,000
Bonus Delivered: 1/30/19
Total Base points from Bonus + Minimum Spend: 115,000 points Anticipated Anniversary Points: 27,000 Points from normal spending: YMMV What can you get with 142,000 points? I've shared our plans/goal here.
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