Chase, Southwest Airlines Announce "Luv Notes" Contest Grand Prize Winners

Southwest Airlines and Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM], today announced the two lucky grand prize winners of the “Chase/Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa® LUV Notes” essay contest that kicked off on Valentine’s Day. The “LUV Notes” contest coincided with the introduction of the new and improved Rapid Rewards Visa Signature® and Visa® Business Card products, which now offer cardmembers even more bonuses and rewards. As the winners enjoy their special Southwest prizes, Southwest Airlines celebrates the 20th Anniversary of its Rapid Rewards program.

The “LUV Notes” contest was open to existing cardmembers who were encouraged to share their most romantic purchase made with their Rapid Rewards Visa card and new applicants who shared their most romantic memory in relation to Southwest Airlines. For the contest winners - Mark Albores of League City, Texas and Jessica Gordon of Baltimore, Maryland - their purchases meant keeping a long-distance relationship alive and meeting a future spouse. Both Albores and Gordon won the judges over with their winning tales and creative responses.

Excerpts from the winning entries

“A year ago, my girlfriend accepted a job in Denver while I stayed in Houston. As the distance between us jeopardized our future, I began using my Rapid Rewards Visa for every expense. Earning travel vouchers and using my Visa to purchase the diamond of her dreams, I arranged for our families to meet for a surprise proposal. I nervously asked Ashley to marry me and she said yes. Thank you so much Rapid Rewards program!” - Mark Albores, League City, Texas.

“Moments after my plane landed, I bumped into a classmate I hadn’t seen in 10 years and he suggested I meet someone he believed would be perfect for me. Surely enough, hours after meeting this man, my heart was soaring...much like the plane we were riding on a few weeks later as a newly engaged couple. My advice to LUV is when fate offers an incredible deal, pack your bags and go. I literally earned the Rapid Reward of a lifetime: my husband!” - Jessica Gordon, Baltimore, Maryland

“We are thrilled to have received over 5,000 entries in the ’LUV Notes’ contest and enjoy hearing such positive and life-changing stories from our Customers,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. “Keeping our Customers connected to loved ones plays an important role in our commitment to provide Positively Outrageous Service.”

“The ’LUV Notes’ contest is just one of many ways that cardmembers get real value from their Rapid Rewards Visa card,” said Hugh Bleemer, executive vice president, Chase Card Services. “We are constantly looking for new ways to enhance our rewards program and celebrate cardmember loyalty and look forward to continuing our relationship with Southwest Airlines.”

With over 5,000 entries from both existing cardmembers and new applicants, the two grand prize winners were chosen to receive a romantic Southwest Airlines Vacation package for two to Las Vegas, including roundtrip airfare, a three-night stay at a deluxe hotel, roundtrip transfers to and from the airport, dinner for two and a gondola ride at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. Also, as a special gift, Southwest Airlines Vacations will celebrate these LUV stories by arranging to deliver champagne and strawberries to the two couples upon their arrival in Las Vegas.

Twenty runners-up also won a $500 southwestgiftcard™.