SW Credit Card?

Do you have one and is it worth it with having to pay yearly fee? We have been considering getting one but I have always stayed away from credit cards with fees. Once I had a credit card with fee and they would waive the fee each year if you called and asked to have fee waived, but got tired of calling every year and cancelled card. Has anyone every tried to have fee waived and if so what happened? Any special perks that aren't listed in their info? Thanks! Darcie

Good question! Like you, we have never paid a yearly fee, and used to cancel a card as soon as they announced the adoption of one. But recently we were pricing air fares to two different locations and noticed that you basically got one airfare free---points enought to get one fare----so we were tempted. Even if you kept the card one year and cancelled it, the airfare was still cheap. But in the end we chickened out and didn't do it. I've been wondering ever since if I screwed up. Anxious to hear from people who have one.

$69 Annual fee for 2 free flights.

Now it's my turn to ask you ........... "is it worth it with having to pay yearly fee?".


Rick

Normally the fee is waived for the first year. If you have a good record of using and paying the card the cc companies will often waive the fee - if you ask. Right before the end of your first year call the company and say you want to cancel the card unless they can waive the fee. They will look at your use of the card, your payment history, etc... If you use it alot and you pay on time I almost guarantee they will relinquish the fee. I've done it with Citibank for the last 4 years.

I had a SW credit card for several years. I canceled it a couple of years ago because of the fees.. I did receive several free flights through their Reward program.

I've been wondering the same thing. I was just too lazy to ask.

An absolute no-brainer, if you ask me. Pay $69 for 2 free trips anywhere Southwest flies. You won't find a cheaper airfare. I have had this card for years and get 2 free round trips, on average, yearly for just using my card for purchases. Like the Las Vegas Advisor yearly subscription, it is one of the best purchases I make each year.

I generally achieve the same results as drmilled so it is worth it to me. I have a few monthly bills that are charged to that card and I pay off my balance for all charges each month. You have to use it enough to justify the fee.

Let's see...

1st year with card costs $69. After 1st use (any small amount) you get 50,000 points. This should get you 2 roundtrip tickets. You do have to pay $10 for each ticket. So is $89 for two tickets a good deal?

2nd year card costs $69. Will you charge at least $25000 on the card to get 25,000points? If yes then another ticket has cost you $79 (annual fee plus $10) Is this a good deal to you?

Now if you are married, have your spouse sign up for their own card and repeat the first time bonus. Even if you do not charge a lot this could be a good deal for one time use. That is if you think paying $89 for 2 tickets is a good deal.

I have found if you do not have a balance at the time the yearly fee is do they always wave it when you ask. One call per year is certainly worth it. The key is to use your card for anything you can and pay it off monthly. Then you pay no interest, Build points and can get the fee waved. The wife and I are flying out to Vegas free on Southwest next month. It cost us $5 per ticket to book the flight and they are non-stop flights. Also when I booked they provided discount code for Alamo. I have a midsize car booked for 5 days for a total of $164. So far I have not been able to beat it. ( Not counting Fox ) So for me it is well worth it.

Joe