Southwest Airlines Credit Card
Southwest Airlines Credit Card is a Travel Credit Cards.
Southwest Airlines Credit Card is designed for frequent users of Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines Inc. (NYSE: LUV) is a major U.S. airline and the world's largest low-cost airline, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It was founded by Herb Kelleher in 1967 and renamed Southwest Airlines in 1971. As of December 2014, the airline had 46,000 employees and operated more than 3,800 flights a day. As of 2014, its domestic passenger capacity ranked first in the United States.
What is a travel credit card?
With the increasing number of tourists, there is an increasing demand for travel credit cards. Most travel credit cards can be used not only during holidays, but also for business travel. Travel credit cards for travelers allow you to earn miles while shopping, and they often get more rewards for your travel-related shopping. You can pay for your ticket by mileage, book hotels, and more. You will find that some of these cards are branded by hotels or airlines and allow you to maximize your rewards when spending directly with them.
What are the benefits of travel credit cards?
Sign-up bonus
Many travel credit cards offer a huge bonus after you meet a minimum spending requirement within a period.
Earn travel-related points and miles
Many travel credit cards offer a variety of rewards program including airlines, hotels, dining, etc. There are generally three options:
Fixed value points
You can always know how much your points are worth. For example, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card earns 1.5 points per $1 spent on anything, and each point is worth one cent.
Transferable points
You can earn points by using one travel credit card and then transfer to the participating airline or hotel transfer partner. For example, with the American Express Membership Rewards program, you can choose to transfer to 15 different airline programs. Once the miles are transferred, you will follow the rules of the program.
Co-branded travel cards
You can get your perks on an airline or a hotel program directly, such as lounge access, free checked bags and other perks.
No foreign transaction fees
Some travel credit cards don’t have any foreign transaction fees, which can help you to save money during you travel aboard. But if your travel credit card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fee, you have to pay attention to other surcharges.
Redeem points easily
Most cards let you redeem points for any travel expenses you want. And some travel credit cards let you redeem your points for real money or gift cards, which it is a good option when you are not sure if you want redeem for travel.
What do you need to apply for a travel credit card?
Credit score
Travel credit cards require your credit score in great shape first. Most of the top travel credit cards are offered to those with “excellent” or “very good” credit. Don’t be discouraged if you find that you don’t qualify for a travel credit card yet. There are also many good rewards or cash back credit cards which are worth applying for and can help you to build credit.
Know where you want to go
Places you want to go can make a huge difference in which cards and travel programs you should invest in. Therefore, before applying for a new travel credit card, figure out this question.
Application
You can apply for a travel credit card online, in banks or by email depending on the card. And you just need to fill in your personal information and submit your application. The credit card issuer will consider your credit reports and several different factors when reviewing your application to get an idea of your creditworthiness.
How to use a travel credit card?
Read your credit card terms and conditions.
This will give you an idea of how you can earn travel rewards, when rewards will post and other information. Make sure you understand all potential fees such as late fees, foreign transaction fees and other fees. You also need to know how to avoid them before you pursue travel rewards.
Maximize card benefits and perks
Some travel credit cards have annual fees about the hundreds of dollars, so it’s necessary to maximize card benefits and perks in order to make the fee is worth it.
Plan and budget
Travel credit cards can make it easier to overspend during you vacation, because the money doesn’t leave your bank at once. Therefore, we recommend you to make plans before your travel and budget spending. It’s also important to track your spending diligently.
Pay your bill in full on time
Many travel credit cards offer high reward points, but they often come with high interest rates. Therefore, we recommend you to pay the bill in full on time in order to avoid paying high interest. Carrying a balance may cost you more than you get in rewards.
