The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is arguably one of the most valuable perks in the world of travel. Imagine flying with a designated friend, family member, or significant other for nearly free on every single Southwest flight you take for up to two years! Sounds incredible, right? It absolutely is, and this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to achieve this fantastic travel hack.
Ready to unlock incredible travel savings? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand the Golden Ticket: What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
Before we get into the "how," let's truly grasp the power of the Companion Pass.
Your Ticket to BOGO Flights: The Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (you just pay taxes and fees, which start at a mere $5.60 one-way) on any Southwest flight, whether you paid for your ticket with cash or Rapid Rewards points.
Validity Period: This is crucial. Once earned, the Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, PLUS the entire following calendar year. This means if you earn it early in the year (say, January or February), you could have nearly two full years of BOGO flights! If you earn it late in the year, you'll still get the rest of that year and all of the next.
Unlimited Use: There's no limit to how many times you can use the Companion Pass during its validity period. Fly once a week, once a month, or once a year – your companion flies free (minus taxes/fees) every time.
Flexibility: You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. This is fantastic if your travel plans or favorite travel buddy changes.
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| How Do I Earn A Companion Pass On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: The Two Paths to Companion Pass Qualification
Southwest offers two primary ways to earn the Companion Pass in a calendar year:
Path A: Fly 100 Qualifying One-Way Flights: This is the less common path for most travelers. It means literally taking 100 paid one-way flights on Southwest within a single calendar year. For the average person, this is a huge undertaking.
Path B: Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards Qualifying Points: This is the most popular and achievable method for earning the Companion Pass, and it's what we'll focus on in this guide. These aren't just any Rapid Rewards points; they must be qualifying points.
What Counts as Companion Pass Qualifying Points?
It's vital to understand which points contribute to your 135,000 goal and which don't.
Points from Revenue Flights: Points earned from flying Southwest, where you paid with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits.
Points from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: This is the holy grail of Companion Pass earning. Points earned from sign-up bonuses, everyday spending, and anniversary points on Southwest co-branded credit cards issued by Chase all count towards the 135,000 qualifying points. This includes both personal and business cards.
Base Points from Rapid Rewards Partners: Points earned through Southwest's hotel, car rental, shopping (Rapid Rewards Shopping portal), and dining (Rapid Rewards Dining program) partners.
What DOESN'T Count as Companion Pass Qualifying Points?
Don't get caught out! The following do not count towards your 135,000 goal:
Purchased points
Points transferred between Members
Points converted from other loyalty programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest) - This is a key distinction! While you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest, these points will NOT count for Companion Pass qualification.
Points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment
Tier bonus points (e.g., from A-List status)
Flight bonus points
Points from promotional offers (unless explicitly stated)
Step 3: The Credit Card Strategy: Your Fastest Route to 135,000 Points
For most people, the quickest and most efficient way to earn 135,000 qualifying points is through Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonuses.
Sub-heading: Understanding Chase's 5/24 Rule
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
Before you apply for any Chase credit card, including Southwest cards, you need to be aware of the "5/24 rule."
What it is: If you've opened 5 or more new credit card accounts (from any issuer, not just Chase) in the last 24 months, Chase will likely automatically deny your application for most of their credit cards, including Southwest ones.
Why it matters: This rule is incredibly important for Companion Pass seekers. You need to ensure you're under 5/24 before applying for Southwest cards.
Strategy Tip: If you're at 4/24, consider applying for a Chase business card first, as some business cards from Chase (like Ink cards) do not count towards your 5/24 limit. However, the Southwest business cards do generally count.
Sub-heading: The Power Couple: Personal and Business Cards
The most common and effective strategy involves applying for two Southwest credit cards: one personal and one business.
Why two? Each Southwest card typically offers a substantial welcome bonus (often 50,000-80,000 points after meeting spending requirements). By getting two cards, you can combine the welcome bonuses to quickly reach or even exceed the 135,000 points needed.
Chase's Rule on Personal Southwest Cards: You generally cannot get a welcome bonus on a Southwest personal card if you currently have a Southwest personal card or have received a welcome bonus on a Southwest personal card in the last 24 months. This is why getting one personal and one business card is often the optimal approach.
Sub-heading: Popular Southwest Credit Cards for Earning the Pass
Chase offers several Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. Here are the common ones you'll consider:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card:
Annual Fee: Often the lowest of the personal cards.
Benefits: Anniversary points, EarlyBird Check-Ins, 25% back on inflight purchases.
Welcome Offer: Varies, but can be a significant chunk of points.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card:
Annual Fee: Mid-range.
Benefits: Higher anniversary points, EarlyBird Check-Ins, 25% back on inflight purchases, no foreign transaction fees.
Welcome Offer: Similar to the Plus card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card:
Annual Fee: Highest of the personal cards, but often comes with more benefits that can offset it.
Benefits: Highest anniversary points, Upgraded Boardings, Southwest travel credit, 25% back on inflight purchases, no foreign transaction fees.
Welcome Offer: Often the most generous for personal cards.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card:
Annual Fee: Generally reasonable.
Benefits: Anniversary points, points on employee spending, EarlyBird Check-Ins, 25% back on inflight purchases, no foreign transaction fees.
Welcome Offer: Often substantial, making it a crucial part of the two-card strategy.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card:
Annual Fee: Highest of the business cards, but offers premium benefits.
Benefits: Highest anniversary points, Upgraded Boardings, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, inflight Wi-Fi credits, higher earning rates on certain categories.
Welcome Offer: Often the most generous for business cards.
Crucial Advice for Card Applications:
Monitor Welcome Offers: Welcome offers on these cards fluctuate. The best time to apply is when they are elevated, sometimes offering 50,000-80,000 points or even a temporary promotional Companion Pass directly.
Apply Strategically: Consider applying for one personal card and one business card. Ideally, you want the points from both cards' welcome bonuses to post to your Rapid Rewards account within the same calendar year. This is key for earning the Companion Pass for almost two years.
Meet Minimum Spending Requirements: Once approved, meticulously track your spending to meet the minimum spend for each card's welcome bonus. These points are what truly propel you towards the 135,000 mark.
Step 4: Timing is Everything: Maximize Your Companion Pass Duration
The timing of when you earn your 135,000 qualifying points is critical for maximizing the validity of your Companion Pass.
Sub-heading: The "Early in the Year" Advantage
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If you earn all 135,000 points in January or February of a given year (e.g., 2026), your Companion Pass will be valid for the rest of 2026 and all of 2027. This gives you nearly two full years of free companion travel!
To achieve this, plan your credit card applications so that the welcome bonus points will post to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account early in the target calendar year. This might mean applying in late November or December of the previous year and hitting the minimum spend early in January.
Sub-heading: Why Late Year Earning is Still Good, But Less Optimal
If you earn the 135,000 points in, say, November or December of a given year, your Companion Pass will be valid for the remainder of that year and all of the following year. While still excellent, you lose out on several months of potential use compared to earning it early.
Tip: Look for small cues in wording.
Step 5: Diversifying Your Point Earning (If Needed)
While credit card bonuses are the bedrock of this strategy, you can supplement your points through other avenues if you fall a little short or just want to accelerate your earning.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
Shop online through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. Many popular retailers participate, offering bonus points per dollar spent. This is a great way to earn points on purchases you'd already be making.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards Dining Program
Link your credit cards to the Rapid Rewards Dining program. When you dine at participating restaurants, you'll earn bonus points automatically.
Sub-heading: Hotel and Car Rental Partners
Book hotels and rental cars through Southwest's Rapid Rewards partners. Be mindful that sometimes direct booking with the hotel/car company might offer better rates or loyalty benefits, so compare before booking.
Sub-heading: Referral Bonuses
If you have a Southwest credit card, you might be able to refer friends and family. If they are approved and meet the spending requirements, you can earn a referral bonus that counts towards your Companion Pass. This can be a fantastic way to stack up additional points.
Step 6: Designating Your Companion and Booking Flights
Once you hit that glorious 135,000-point mark, congratulations! Southwest will typically send you an email notification.
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Companion
Log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Navigate to your "My Account" or "Snapshot" tab.
You'll see a section to "Choose Your Companion" or "Enter Companion Info."
Follow the instructions to designate your companion. You'll need their name and Rapid Rewards number (if they have one).
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Companion's Flight
Book your flight first: Whether you're paying with cash or points, book your own Southwest flight as you normally would.
Add your companion: After your flight is booked, go to your "My Trips" section in your Rapid Rewards account.
Find your upcoming flight and look for an "Add Companion" link.
Click the link, confirm your companion's details, and pay the nominal taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 one-way).
Your companion will receive a separate confirmation number.
Important Considerations:
Seat Availability: Your companion can only fly with you if there's an available seat on your flight. There are no blackout dates for Companion Pass, but if the flight is full, your companion can't be added. It's always best to add your companion immediately after booking your own flight, especially for popular routes or peak travel times.
Changes and Cancellations: If you need to change your flight, you'll generally need to cancel your companion's reservation first, then make your own change, and then re-add your companion.
Companion Must Fly With You: The companion must be on the same flight as the Companion Pass holder.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Southwest Companion Pass, designed to give you quick, actionable answers:
How to Check My Companion Pass Progress?
You can track your Companion Pass progress by logging into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your qualifying points and flights will be displayed in your "My Account" section.
How to Change My Designated Companion?
You can change your designated companion up to three times in a calendar year. Log into your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Account," and follow the instructions under the "Manage Your Companion Pass" section. Any existing reservations with your current companion must be canceled before you can designate a new one.
How to Use the Companion Pass on an International Flight?
Yes, you can use your Southwest Companion Pass on international flights operated by Southwest Airlines. Just like domestic flights, you'll pay only the taxes and fees for your companion's ticket.
How to Avoid Chase 5/24 Rule for Southwest Cards?
Tip: Reading in chunks improves focus.
To avoid the Chase 5/24 rule, you need to ensure you've opened fewer than 5 new credit card accounts (from any issuer) in the past 24 months before applying for a Southwest credit card. If you are at 4/24, consider applying for a Chase business card that doesn't count towards 5/24 (though Southwest business cards do typically count).
How to Earn Companion Pass Faster with Referrals?
If you have a Southwest credit card, check if you have a referral link available in your online account. When you refer friends or family who are approved for a Southwest card and meet the spending requirements, you can earn bonus Rapid Rewards points that count towards your Companion Pass.
How to Qualify for a Southwest Business Credit Card?
You don't need a formal business to qualify for a business credit card. Many people with side gigs, freelancing income, or even selling items online can qualify as a "sole proprietorship" using their Social Security Number. Be truthful on the application.
How to Use Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards for Companion Pass?
Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest do not count towards Companion Pass qualification. While you can use them for free flights, they won't help you earn the pass itself. Focus on points earned directly from Southwest credit cards and Southwest flights/partners for qualification.
How to Ensure Points Post in the Correct Calendar Year?
For credit card welcome bonuses, aim to apply in late November or early December of the year before you want the Companion Pass to be active for two years. Then, ensure you meet the minimum spending requirements early in January of your target year. This way, the large welcome bonus points will post in the desired calendar year.
How to Determine if the Companion Pass is Worth It For Me?
The Companion Pass is incredibly valuable if you frequently travel with another person. If you take even a few round-trip flights a year with a companion, the savings on their airfare will easily outweigh any credit card annual fees or the effort required to earn the pass.
How to Manage My Companion Pass Online?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your Companion Pass information, including your designated companion and the option to change them, can be found within the "My Account" or "Snapshot" section.
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