AirTran Credit Card Portfolio Transitions to Chase

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Chase Card Services announced that existing AirTran consumer credit cardholders will transition from the current issuer to the AirTran^® A+ Rewards^SM Credit Card from Chase. Beginning April 25, 2013, all AirTran Credit Cardholder accounts will be owned and serviced by Chase. Cardholders will continue to have the ability to earn rewards at an accelerated rate while redeeming for travel to more than 95 destinations served by AirTran^® Airways and Southwest Airlines^®.

“Chase will continue to offer the exceptional benefits that allow our customers to take full advantage of two industry-leading rewards programs, and we look forward to our loyal customers having access to Chase’s flexible and reliable credit card offering.”

Beginning this week, cardholders will receive notification about the change from Chase. Cardholders transitioning to the AirTran A+ Rewards Credit Card from Chase will receive a new credit card for use beginning April 29, 2013, and any remaining A+ Rewards Dollars will automatically transfer to the new Chase credit card account. Cardholders must update merchants and bill payment services with their new account number for recurring bills being paid automatically. Additionally, any existing convenience checks must post to the existing account from the previous issuer by April 25, 2013. Cardholders have the same annual fee and APRs as incurred with the previous issuer. Cardholders should continue to use their existing card until April 29.

“Valued AirTran Cardholders will continue to have access to frequent flyer benefits that enhance their travel experience,” said Naney Pandit, general manager, Chase. “Chase has designed benefits that allow Cardholders to earn quickly, redeem easily and fly to more destinations on AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines.”

AirTran A+ Rewards Credit Cardholders moving to Chase will continue to enjoy benefits, including:

Earning at an accelerated rate
Redemption with both AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines through rewardsfarther.com
Accessing their account through www.chase.com/airtran and the Chase Mobile App
Linking their account for overdraft protection to a Chase checking account

Members of Rapid Rewards® (Southwest Airlines) and A+ Rewards (AirTran Airways) frequent flyer programs are able to transfer their loyalty rewards between the two programs to redeem for reward travel to more than 95 destinations, including Mexico and the Caribbean. Cardholders can redeem for flights on AirTran Airways to places such as Charlotte, Memphis and Key West, or flights on Southwest Airlines to destinations such as Dallas, Nashville and San Diego.

"This exciting announcement is our latest step to integrate AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines,” said Jonathan Clarkson, Director of Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards. “Chase will continue to offer the exceptional benefits that allow our customers to take full advantage of two industry-leading rewards programs, and we look forward to our loyal customers having access to Chase’s flexible and reliable credit card offering.”

Chase also offers the Southwest Airlines^® Rapid Rewards^® Plus and Southwest Airlines^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Cards.

To apply for an AirTran credit card, visit http://www.chase.com/airtran.

About Southwest Airlines Co.

In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six near-international countries. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line thinking that takes into account the carrier’s performance and productivity, the importance of the People who work there and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the Planet. The 2011 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

Southwest Airlines

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as “The Southwest Effect,” a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. On every flight, Southwest offers Customers the first two pieces of checked luggage (weight and size limitations apply) and all ticket changes without additional fees. Southwest’s all Boeing fleet consistently offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, many of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity and a new, sustainable cabin interior. With 40 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest operate more than 3,200 flights a day and serve communities around 78 airports in Southwest’s network of domestic destinations. Southwest Airlines’ frequent flights and low fares are available only at southwest.com.

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with close to 600 flights a day to 54 destinations. The carrier’s high-quality product includes assigned seating and Business Class. As Southwest continues to integrate AirTran’s People, places, and planes into Southwest Airlines, Customers of both carriers may book flights at airtran.com and exchange earned loyalty points between both AirTran’s A+ Rewards® and Southwest’s Rapid Rewards® for reward travel on either airline.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves more than 50 million consumers and small businesses through more than 5,500 bank branches, 17,500 ATMs, credit cards, mortgage offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through relationships with auto dealerships. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.