Travel Hacking and Tax Planning Around the New Year

[ontheheel]

I recently signed up for the Chase Southwest business and personal cards, and intend to use them to get companion pass starting next year. I also want to pay property tax on my rental property this CY to deduct it from my 2017 taxes.

My question is this: If I use my cards to pay the tax (and get the sign-up bonuses) this year, but the miles aren't credited to my account until next year, which of the two counts for starting the companion pass clock? e.g., I pay the property taxes on New Year's Eve, and the statement closes in January - do the miles count towards 2017 total or 2018?

[Jmoody10]

Miles would post for Jan 2018.

[FLBiker]

I can confirm that the miles would post in 2018.  This is what we did just under two years ago, and I'm planning to open new SW cards in my wife's name shortly to do it again.

[ontheheel]

Great! Thanks for the help!