The Chase Airtran Visa is currently offering 32 Airtran A+ credits for $2000 spend within 3 months. The normal offer for the card is 16 Airtran A+ credits for $1000 spend within 3 months. To put things in perspective, 8 A+ credits are good for a one-way capacity controlled award ticket on Airtran.
How much are 32 Airtran A+ credits worth?
The one thing people may not realize is that Airtran flies to the Caribbean and Mexico. So, let’s just see what we can get for 8 A+ credits. I picked some flights from Airtran hubs to the following destinations.
1. Baltimore (BWI) to Hamilton, Bermuda (BDA) – value $142.50
2. Atlanta (ATL) to Aruba (AUA) – Value $187.50
3. Atlanta (ATL) to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) – Value = $191.20
4. Denver (DEN) to Cancun (CUN) – Value $201.99
5. Milwaukee (MKE) to Hamilton, Bermuda (BDA) – Value $216
Although this a small sample and an approximation, 8 Airtran credits are worth $142.50 to $216 dollars. Thus, 32 credits from the Chase Airtran Visa are worth anywhere from $570 to $864 depending on how you redeem them. If you subtract the annual fee of $69 for the card, this makes the signup bonus worth ~ $500 to $800.
Airtran credits compared to miles
With the Airtran Visa bonus, you can take 4 one-way flights from the US to the Caribbean or Mexico. United and American charge 17,500 miles one way for these routes. Thus, this bonus is equal to 70,000 United or American miles. US Airways doesn’t allow one way awards, but 2 roundtrips to the Caribbean or Mexico using US Airways miles also would cost 70,000 miles. American’s off peak awards to the Caribbean and Mexico are 12,500 miles one way. So, even taking that into account, 32 Airtran credits are equivalent to 50,000 American miles. US Airways also has off peak awards to the Caribbean for 25000 roundtrip. Thus, 32 Airtran credits can be equated to 50,000 US Airways miles.
Converting Airtran credits to Southwest credits
For a limited time until Airtran and Southwest become one entity, Airtran credits can be converted to Southwest credits. 32 Airtan A+ credit = 32 Southwest Rapid Rewards credit = 4 free one way tickets or 2 roundtrips on Southwest’s “Wanna get away fares.” This ticket is capacity controlled and is based on Southwest’s old Rapid Rewards system. I have actually had excellent success finding seats. 32 Southwest credits are worth a minimum of $640 (1 credit = 1200 Rapid rewards points, 1 point = 1.67 cents). However, you certainly can redeem them for more depending on the price of the ticket that you book. Finally, I think the best value is achieved if you have the companion pass. Since you can book your companion free, the Airtran Visa bonus is worth 4 roundtrips (minimum $1280) anywhere Southwest flies.
Summary of the current Chase Airtran Visa bonus
The Chase Airtran Visa is offering a limited time bonus of 32 Airtran credits for $2000 spend on the card in 3 months with an annual fee of $69. This is a solid bonus and worth $500 – $800 even after taking the annual fee into account. This is on par with getting a 50,000 mile bonus from a Citi American Airlines Visa, better than the 40,000 miles US Airways Mastercard, and better than a 50000 mile bonus for the United Exlorer Card. Of course, it’s not worth holding onto the card after the first year. The best value ($1280 or more) is derived if you currently hold a companion pass as you are getting 8 one way flights or 4 roundtrips anywhere Southwest flies.