How can I activate my Southwest credit card?

You can easily activate your new Chase credit card online or by phone at (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 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. … read full answer

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 Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® cards, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

The minimum credit score for a Southwest Airlines credit card is typically “good”.

The credit score is important, but for the most part, it’s a barometer to assess your chances of being approved. If your income, credit history and any debts you might have are above board, a good or even fair credit score 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. Each of these cards earns you quite hefty initial bonuses.

There’s also the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card, which is similar to its companion card, but offers a larger initial bonus. If you’re a business owner, you’ll need a good or excellent credit score in order to get that one.

Here are the Southwest Airlines credit cards:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn 40,000 points bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases. Receive 7,500 anniversary bonus points and a $75 travel credit each year. $0 foreign transaction fees. $149 annual fee. Good credit required.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn 40,000 points bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases. No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem. Free first and second checked bags. 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fees. $69 annual fee. Good credit required.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn 40,000 points bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases. No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem. Free first and second checked bags. $0 foreign transaction fees. $99 annual fee. Good credit required.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 points bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and partner hotel bookings and car rentals, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. No blackout dates or seat restrictions when you redeem. Receive 6,000 anniversary bonus points each year. Free first and second checked bags. $0 foreign transaction fees. $99 annual fee. Good credit required.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards cards require a good or excellent credit score, 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. You’ll get earns 80,000 points bonus, worth $1,000 when redeemed for travel when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. There is a $95 annual fee.

The easiest airline credit cards to get approved for are the LATAM Secured Credit Card and the SKYPASS Secured Credit Card. 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 history could get a cash back card like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. 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:

• SKYPASS Secured Credit Card

  This card, co-branded with Korean Air, accepts people with bad credit, gives 5,000 miles SKYPASS bonus miles when you make your first purchase, and rewards you with 1 mile per $1 on all purchases. You must submit a $300 deposit. There is a $50 annual fee.

• LATAM Secured Credit Card

  This card, co-branded with the Latin-American provider LATAM Airlines, accepts people with bad credit. You get 5,000 points bonus after your first purchase, and earn 1 point per $1 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 deposit. The annual fee is $0 1st yr, $25 after that.

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

  If you’re a student with limited history, you can apply. If you apply online, you get 25,000 points bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. You get 1.5 points / $1 on all purchases, and 3 points / $1 at the Bank of America Travel Center. There’s no deposit, and the annual fee is $0.

You might notice that the two secured credit cards affiliated with an airline 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, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students 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.