How can I activate my Southwest credit card?

You can easily activate your new Chase credit card online or by phone. The Chase credit card activation number is 800-432-3117. Simply call, enter the last four digits of your card number and follow the prompts from there. To activate your card online, just go to Chase’s page for verifying receipt of your card… read full answer and either log into your account or create login credentials. All you need to create a Chase online account is your Social Security number as well as your card, account or application number. Once you’re signed in, you’ll be able to verify your new card, set account preferences and more.

It only takes a minute or two to activate a Chase credit card, and you’ll be able to make purchases with your card as soon as you do. If you don’t activate your Chase credit card, you may run into problems trying to use it.

By the way, the procedures will be the same no matter which Chase credit card you get. And you have many attractive offers to consider, including the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® cards, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Chase Slate®.

To qualify for a Southwest Airlines credit card, you will typically need a minimum good credit score. That’s a score between 700 and 749, depending on the credit report and model used.

The credit score is important, but for the most part, it’s a barometer to assess your chances of being approved. If your income, payment history and other factors are above board, a credit score bordering 700 and even dipping into the 600s should put you in the running to qualify for a card.… read full answer

The Southwest Rapids Rewards cards are co-branded with Chase and are on the Visa network. Cards include the Rapid Rewards Priority, Plus, and the Premier. Each earns you 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

There’s Premier Business card, which is similar to its companion card, but offers a larger initial bonus. If you’re a business owner, you’ll need a minimum excellent credit score (750+) in order to get that one.

Here are the Southwest Airlines credit cards:

• Rapid Rewards Priority: Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases. Receive 7,500 anniversary bonus points and a $75 travel credit each year. No foreign transaction fee. $149 annual fee
• Rapid Reward Plus: Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and partner hotel bookings and car rentals. No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem. Free first and second checked bags. 3% foreign transaction fee. $69 annual fee.
• Rapid Rewards Premier: Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and partner hotel bookings and car rentals. No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem. Free first and second checked bags. No foreign transaction fee. $99 annual fee.
• Rapid Rewards Premier Business: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and partner hotel bookings and car rentals. No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem. Receive 6,000 anniversary bonus points each year. Free first and second checked bags. No foreign transaction fee. $99 annual fee.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards cards require a good credit score (excellent for the Premier Business card), and with it, come initial bonuses and rewards earnings for frequent Southwest flyers.

If you’re not loyal to Southwest and prefer to redeem rewards points toward other airline purchases, the Chase family offers some great alternatives. One of the best is the Sapphire Preferred. You’ll get earns 50,000 bonus points, worth $625 when redeemed for travel when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. There is a $95 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.

The easiest airline credit cards to get approved for are the AeroMexico Secured Visa and the SKYPASS Secured Visa. Since they’re secured cards, you can get approved even if your credit is bad. You just have to place a security deposit, which will serve as your credit line. All other airline cards are a lot harder to get because they require at least good credit for approval. … read full answer

You don’t need an airline credit card to save on airfare, though. If you’re in college, for example, you could go for the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, which offers points. Other people with limited credit could get a cash back card like Capital One QuicksilverOne. Let’s take a look at some of the best credit cards for airline purchases in detail.

Here are the easiest airline credit cards to get approved for:

• AeroMexico Visa Secured. This card accepts people with bad credit. It gives 5,000 bonus miles and a companion certificate after your first purchase. You also get 2 Club Premier Miles per dollar spent on gas and groceries, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. And you don’t have to pay for your baggage on AeroMexico flights. You need to submit a $300-$5,000 deposit to open your account. There’s an annual fee of $25, waived the first year.
• SKYPASS Visa Secured. This card, co-branded with Korean Air, accepts people with bad credit, gives 5,000 SKYPASS bonus miles when you make your first purchase, and rewards you with 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. You must submit a $300-$5,000 deposit. There is a $50 annual fee.
• LATAM Secured. This card, co-branded with the Latin-American provider LATAM Airlines, accepts people with bad credit. You get 5,000 bonus miles after your first purchase, and earn 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. You also get a 10% discount on your first LATAM Airlines purchase ($500 or less) each year. You need to submit a $300-$5,000 deposit. There is a $25 annual fee, waived the first year.
• Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students: If you’re a student with limited or no credit history, you can apply. If you apply online, you get 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. You get 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, and 3 points per dollar at the travel center. There’s no deposit, and no annual fee.
• Capital One QuicksilverOne: People with limited or no credit are eligible. You get 1.5% cash back on all purchases. That can help you save on airline tickets. There is an annual fee of $39.

You might notice that the three secured credit cards seem very similar in their terms. That’s because they’re all issued by U.S. Bank. If you’re a frequent flyer on those airlines, it might be worthwhile to apply. And if you’re a student, Bank of America Travel Rewards will give you the best travel value, even though it uses points rather than miles. If you want to qualify for most airline credit cards, though, you’ll have to work on getting your credit into the good or excellent range.