October 2026 Newsletter

🚀 Southwest News 🚀

Southwest card application language has changed — read this before applying.

The current Southwest personal-card terms now say you can’t already hold another Southwest personal card, and you can’t have received a personal-card welcome bonus within the past 24 months. The language specifically carves out Southwest business cards, so the one personal + one business card strategy still appears to be available under the current terms.

One important wrinkle: offers and eligibility language can vary depending on how you apply. Chase specifically says that if you want a particular offer, you need to apply through the method where that offer is being advertised. They have language on some public offers that say you cannot earn a bonus if you have ever earned one before. I’m seeing the best wording on the referral offers, so if you’re planning to apply, use a referral link rather than navigating directly to Chase. This will ensure you get your SUB.

You can find my Southwest referral links at jgoot.com/cards. As always, read the exact offer terms on the application page before submitting, since bonuses and eligibility language can change.

Southwest schedule update:

- The current schedule is open until Jun 2. On Oct 2nd, 2026, the schedule will open for sale through Aug 2, 2027. (Date is subject to change).

🛍️ Current noteworthy shopping portal finds 🛍️

*As of Oct 1, offers change often

• Stitch Fix is offering 350 points on new sign ups (Terms and conditions here)

• Wildgrain food delivery service is now offering 700 points for new members (Terms and conditions here).

• Babbel language learning is now offering 5 points per dollar! (Terms and conditions here).

How does the shopping portal work? Use Southwest shopping to link to all of your favorite stores and make a purchase! You will then be awarded the bonus points listed on the offer directly into your Southwest account. *Note you cannot combine shopping portal offers, so do not click on Rakuten or any other portal if your intent is to earn southwest points.

🏨 Southwest Hotel Spotlight 🏨

Southwesthotels.com

A 7 night stay at this hotel in Miami in January will earn you 27,300 points for ~289 per night! That is an earn rate of 7.4 cents points per dollar.

A few notes about hotels:

It is not recommended to bundle hotel and flight with Southwest unless you are getting a much lower price than booking separately. It is much easier to make changes to your flights if they are not bundled.

Southwest uses Booking.com as their booking system, so your hotel will see the booking as a booking.com reservation.

I always confirm my reservation with the hotel to be sure they got it.

Make sure to check your Southwest Account for credit card offers!

Here is how.

1. Visit Southwest.com

2. Log into “My account”

3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page! Make sure to register for any offers you like!

For folks on the FAST TRACK for 2026:

You should have begun your 2026 companion pass journey! If you have not yet started wait for next year.

For folks using the HYBRID method for 2026:

You should have begun your 2026 companion pass journey! If you have not yet started wait for next year. You should have 110k points or more at this point.

For those following the slow and steady method:

You should have 110k points already toward companion pass for next year. Start with any hotels you need to book since these have the highest earn rate.

Do you have hotels you need to book? *points will post after checkout.

Check out some shopping portal deals.

Don’t forget about Southwest dining.

- Stephanie