The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is widely considered one of the most valuable perks in the travel world. Imagine: you buy one ticket, and your chosen companion flies with you for almost free – you just cover their minimal taxes and fees (which start at $5.60 one-way for domestic flights!). If you love to travel with a partner, family member, or friend, this pass can literally cut your flight costs in half for potentially up to two full years.
Sounds amazing, right? But how exactly do you get your hands on this golden ticket? It requires a bit of strategy, especially if you want to maximize its validity. Let's dive in!
The Ultimate Guide to Earning Your Southwest Airlines Companion Pass
Step 1: Are You Ready for Travel Freedom?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, ask yourself: Are you prepared to unlock incredible travel savings for you and a loved one? If the answer is a resounding YES!, then you're in the right place. The Southwest Companion Pass isn't just a discount; it's a game-changer for your travel budget. Let's make those travel dreams a reality!
Step 2: Understanding the Qualification Requirements for 2025
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to meet one of two criteria within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st):
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Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights with Southwest Airlines.
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Earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points.
For most people, earning 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points is the more achievable and strategic path. Hitting 100 one-way flights in a year is typically reserved for very frequent business travelers.
Step 3: The Power of Points: What Counts Toward Your 135,000 Goal?
This is where the magic happens. Not all Rapid Rewards points count towards Companion Pass qualification, but most do. Here's a breakdown:
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Points earned from Southwest flights: When you pay for flights with cash, LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits, the Rapid Rewards points you earn from those flights count.
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Points earned from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: This is the most crucial component for many. Points earned from sign-up bonuses, everyday spending, and anniversary points on eligible Southwest co-branded credit cards issued by Chase all count towards the 135,000 goal.
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Important Note: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you also receive an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year. This is a fantastic head start!
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Points earned from Rapid Rewards partners: Points earned through partners like hotels, rental cars, and the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal or Dining program generally count.
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Referral bonuses: If you refer a friend to a Southwest credit card and they get approved, the bonus points you receive from that referral also count.
What DOES NOT Count:
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Purchased points
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Points transferred from other Southwest members
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Points transferred from other loyalty programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards)
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Points earned from reward flights (flights booked with points)
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Points earned from promotional Companion Pass offers (these give you a temporary pass but don't count towards the full 135,000 requirement)
Step 4: The Credit Card Strategy – Your Fastest Path to the Pass
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
This is the most popular and efficient way to earn the Companion Pass for the longest possible duration. The strategy involves strategically applying for Southwest credit cards to maximize welcome bonuses.
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Sub-heading: The Two-Card Approach (Most Common & Effective) The typical strategy involves applying for two Southwest credit cards:
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One personal Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Chase generally has rules around how often you can get a welcome bonus on a personal card (e.g., typically you can't get a bonus if you've received one on any personal Southwest card in the last 24 months).
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One Southwest Rapid Rewards Business credit card. Don't have a traditional business? Many people qualify for a business card as a sole proprietor (e.g., if you sell items online, freelance, or even do a little consulting). You'd use your Social Security Number as your EIN.
Why two cards? The welcome bonuses on a single card usually aren't enough to hit 135,000 points on their own. By combining a personal and a business card's welcome offers, plus the spending required to earn those bonuses, you can often reach or exceed the 135,000 point threshold.
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Sub-heading: Timing is Everything – Maximize Your Pass Duration This is critical for getting nearly two years of Companion Pass benefits. The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year.
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The Optimal Strategy: Aim to earn your 135,000 qualifying points early in the calendar year (e.g., January or February of 2026 for a 2026/2027 pass).
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If you earn the pass in January 2026, it will be valid for the rest of 2026 and all of 2027. That's almost two full years of BOGO flights!
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If you earn the pass in December 2026, it will only be valid for the remaining days of 2026 and all of 2027. Still great, but you miss out on almost a full year of potential use.
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How to time your credit card applications and spending:
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Apply for your first card (e.g., a personal card) late in the current year (e.g., November or December 2025). Meet most of the spending requirement by December 31st, but do not hit the bonus threshold until January 1st, 2026, or later. This ensures the bonus points post in the new calendar year.
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Apply for your second card (e.g., a business card) around the same time or early in the new year. Again, ensure the bonus points post in the new calendar year (2026).
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The goal is to have all 135,000 qualifying points post to your Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year (e.g., 2026).
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Pro Tip: Keep track of your spending and point accrual carefully. Your points count towards the Companion Pass in the calendar year they post to your Rapid Rewards account, not when you make the purchase. This usually happens after your credit card statement closes.
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Step 5: Monitoring Your Progress
Southwest makes it easy to track your progress towards the Companion Pass.
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Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
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On your account "Snapshot" or "My Account" page, you'll see a progress bar or an indicator showing how many qualifying flights or points you've accumulated towards the Companion Pass.
Step 6: Designating Your Companion
Once you've hit the 135,000 qualifying points (or 100 qualifying flights), congratulations! Southwest will notify you of your Companion Pass qualification. The next step is to designate your companion:
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Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
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Navigate to your "Snapshot" tab or "My Account" section.
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Look for a section titled "Choose Your Companion" or "Enter Companion Info."
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Follow the instructions to enter your chosen companion's details, including their Rapid Rewards number (if they have one, which they should get if they don't already).
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Flexibility: You can change your designated Companion up to three times each calendar year that you maintain Companion Pass privileges. Any existing reservations for your current companion must be canceled before you can change them.
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Step 7: How to Use Your Companion Pass
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
Using your Companion Pass is incredibly straightforward and flexible:
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Book your own flight first. You can book your flight using cash, Rapid Rewards points, LUV Vouchers, or gift cards.
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After booking your flight, add your companion.
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Online: Go to the "My Trips" section of your Southwest account. Find your upcoming flight and look for an "Add Companion" link. Follow the prompts.
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Via Phone: Call Southwest at 1-800-248-4377 and inform the representative that you want to add your Companion Pass.
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Pay taxes and fees. You will only be responsible for the government-required taxes and fees for your companion's ticket. For domestic flights, this starts at $5.60 per one-way flight. International flight taxes and fees can be higher.
Important Considerations for Usage:
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Availability: If there's a seat available for purchase on a flight, you can add your companion. There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions for Companion Pass travel.
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Separate Reservations: Your companion will have a separate reservation with their own confirmation number.
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No Double-Dipping: You, the pass holder, will earn Rapid Rewards points for your flight. Your companion's flight (booked with the Companion Pass) will not earn Rapid Rewards points.
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Cancellations/Changes: If you need to change or cancel your flight, you'll need to do the same for your companion's reservation.
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| How Do I Get A Southwest Airlines Companion Pass |
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find eligible Southwest credit cards for the Companion Pass? You can find eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards on the Chase Bank website, which is the exclusive issuer of these cards. Look for the Southwest personal and business credit cards.
How to track my Companion Pass qualifying points? Log in to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigate to the "My Account" or "Snapshot" section. Your progress towards the Companion Pass qualification will be displayed there.
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
How to ensure my credit card points count towards the Companion Pass in the correct year? Points from credit card spending and welcome bonuses count when they post to your Rapid Rewards account, which is typically after your monthly statement closes. To ensure they count for the next calendar year, plan your spending so that the bonus points hit your account after January 1st.
How to change my designated Southwest Companion? You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to "My Account" or the "Snapshot" tab, and look for the option to "Choose Your Companion" to update their information. Any existing reservations for your current companion must be canceled first.
How to use the Companion Pass for international flights? The Companion Pass works for both domestic and international Southwest flights. Simply book your flight, and then add your companion as usual. Be aware that taxes and fees for international flights will be higher than the standard $5.60 domestic fee.
How to find flights that work with the Companion Pass? If there's an available seat for purchase on any Southwest flight, you can add your companion. There are no blackout dates or restrictions specific to Companion Pass travel. Simply book your flight first, then add your companion.
How to handle checked bags for my companion with the Companion Pass? As of May 28, 2025, Southwest has made changes to its checked bag policy. While the "two bags fly free" policy has changed for some fares, Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardholders and A-List/A-List Preferred members may still get free checked bags. If you qualify for free checked bags as the primary cardholder or elite member, this benefit will extend to your companion. Your companion may need to pay upfront at the airport, but the fee should be refunded if you qualify.
How to combine points and cash for a flight with a Companion Pass? Yes, starting January 1, 2025, Cash + Points bookings will earn Rapid Rewards points, including Companion Pass qualifying points, on the cash portion of the booking. This makes combining points and cash more valuable for Companion Pass seekers.
How to determine when my Companion Pass will expire? Your Southwest Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year. For example, if you earn it in July 2025, it's valid until December 31, 2026. If you earn it in January 2026, it's valid until December 31, 2027.
How to get a promotional Companion Pass? Southwest occasionally offers limited-time promotional Companion Passes through specific credit card offers or other promotions. These typically provide the pass for a shorter duration (e.g., a few months) after meeting a lower spending threshold. While they don't count towards the 135,000 qualifying points for the full Companion Pass, they can be a great way to experience the benefit. Keep an eye on Southwest's website and credit card offer pages for these opportunities.
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