Two Roundtrip Flights (50k Points) with New Southwest Airlines Premier Credit Card Approval for $2000 Spent Within First 3 Months

In terms of ease: Neither card will be particularly easy to use in Europe. Both of these cards only implement mag-strip technology, which is behind the times in Europe. This is because Europe has switched to Smart Chip technology, which has a small chip that can be read, imbedded in the card. (No this is not the same as Tap and Go, they actually insert the card into a reader.) Therefore, your payment method may not be accepted in Europe at certain merchants, requiring you to use cash. (Additionally, there are normally higher minimum spending requirements in Europe to use a credit card, which may require you to use cash anyways.) I only know of a couple cards in the states that contain the Smart Chip technology, the JP Morgan Palladium card and the Marriott Rewards Card. (Someone please chime in if you know of another.)

Lastly, I see somewhere that someone said you can use a CC to pay mortage for 14.99/month. Can someone clarify on this? We have 2 mortgages which total about $4300/month.

Just have to share this awesome win!

March 1 - applied for plus and premier cards.
March 8 - received them both March 8.
March 13 - paid for wedding venue with a card
March 15 - paid for honeymoon with the other card
Today - transfer money from savings to pay for both cards.

About 105,000 rapid rewards points in a matter of two weeks! No interests paid! With my existing 3,500 RR points, the companion pass is within reach!

See Dave Ramsey, responsible credit card use is possible.

When were those 3500 points earned? If they are not earned this year, then it will not count.

Just have to share this awesome win!

March 1 - applied for plus and premier cards.
March 8 - received them both March 8.
March 13 - paid for wedding venue with a card
March 15 - paid for honeymoon with the other card
Today - transfer money from savings to pay for both cards.

About 105,000 rapid rewards points in a matter of two weeks! No interests paid! With my existing 3,500 RR points, the companion pass is within reach!

See Dave Ramsey, responsible credit card use is possible.

So your points have already posted? Just curious because I applied on the 12th, received on the 15th, and I've already hit the 2k on each card, but I don't know when my billing cycle ends, so I don't know when to expect the RR points.

So your points have already posted? Just curious because I applied on the 12th, received on the 15th, and I've already hit the 2k on each card, but I don't know when my billing cycle ends, so I don't know when to expect the RR points.

Just have to share this awesome win!

March 1 - applied for plus and premier cards.
March 8 - received them both March 8.
March 13 - paid for wedding venue with a card
March 15 - paid for honeymoon with the other card
Today - transfer money from savings to pay for both cards.

About 105,000 rapid rewards points in a matter of two weeks! No interests paid! With my existing 3,500 RR points, the companion pass is within reach!

See Dave Ramsey, responsible credit card use is possible.

Just have to share this awesome win!

March 1 - applied for plus and premier cards.
March 8 - received them both March 8.
March 13 - paid for wedding venue with a card
March 15 - paid for honeymoon with the other card
Today - transfer money from savings to pay for both cards.

About 105,000 rapid rewards points in a matter of two weeks! No interests paid! With my existing 3,500 RR points, the companion pass is within reach!

See Dave Ramsey, responsible credit card use is possible.

You say abroad, but do not specify region, so I am going to assume Europe since that is where I have the most experience.

SW=Southwest Premier
SP=Sapphire Preferred

In terms of fees, either card is fine as they both do not have Foreign Transaction Fees. However, the SW does have an annual fee of $99 the first year vs. SP which has its first year waived.

In terms of points (I am going to exclude sign-up bonuses for simplicity):
SW: You will not be flying SW internationally, as they have almost no routes outside of the United States. Therefore you will be getting only the 1 pt/$1, for all purchases. And possibly 2pts/$1 for hotel and car rental partners.
SP: You will get 2pts/$1 for all of your travel (airfare and hotels) and dining purchases. And 1pt/$1 for all other purchases.

In terms of ease: Neither card will be particularly easy to use in Europe. Both of these cards only implement mag-strip technology, which is behind the times in Europe. This is because Europe has switched to Smart Chip technology, which has a small chip that can be read, imbedded in the card. (No this is not the same as Tap and Go, they actually insert the card into a reader.) Therefore, your payment method may not be accepted in Europe at certain merchants, requiring you to use cash. (Additionally, there are normally higher minimum spending requirements in Europe to use a credit card, which may require you to use cash anyways.) I only know of a couple cards in the states that contain the Smart Chip technology, the JP Morgan Palladium card and the Marriott Rewards Card. (Someone please chime in if you know of another.)

If ease of use is your endgame. I would suggest looking into the Marriott Rewards Card. It is also not a terrible points and fees contender as well. Fees: No Foreign Transaction Fees and first year annual fee waived. Points: 5pts/$1 at Marriott, 2pts/$1 at Airlines, car rental, and restaurants and 1pt/$1 for everything else. However, if you do not plan to use the points for stays at Marriott, the points are worth significantly less than the other cards mentioned. (i.e. 70,000 pts will only get about $300-$400 in Gift cards.)

If you are between only the two cards mentioned in your post, I would personally choose the SP, due to no first year annual fee and extra points on dining, however that does not take into account the lucrative sign-on bonuses nor how much Rapid Rewards points are worth to you.

Hope this has been helpful.

Just have to share this awesome win!

March 1 - applied for plus and premier cards.
March 8 - received them both March 8.
March 13 - paid for wedding venue with a card
March 15 - paid for honeymoon with the other card
Today - transfer money from savings to pay for both cards.

About 105,000 rapid rewards points in a matter of two weeks! No interests paid! With my existing 3,500 RR points, the companion pass is within reach!

See Dave Ramsey, responsible credit card use is possible.