The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is easily one of the most valuable perks in the world of travel. Imagine buying one ticket and getting another virtually free (you just pay taxes and fees!). It's a game-changer for couples, families, and friends who love to travel together. But what happens when your travel buddy changes? Life happens, and thankfully, Southwest understands. You can change your Companion Pass designee, and with recent updates, it's easier than ever before!
Your Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Southwest Companion Pass Designee
Ready to switch up your travel partner? Let's dive into the step-by-step process.
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| How Do I Change My Companion On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Are you ready to make a change?
Before we get into the "how-to," let's ensure you're in the right place! Do you currently hold a valid Southwest Companion Pass? If so, fantastic! This guide is for you. If you're still working towards earning your Companion Pass, you'll need to achieve 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year first.
Are you absolutely sure you want to change your Companion right now? Keep in mind that Southwest allows you to change your designated Companion up to three times each calendar year. This limit resets on January 1st of each year. So, choose wisely!
Step 2: Address Existing Companion Bookings
This is a crucial step that many people overlook. You cannot change your designated Companion if you have any existing flights booked for your current Companion.
Sub-heading: The Golden Rule: Cancel First!
Before you can even think about adding a new companion, you must cancel any reservations where your current Companion Pass holder is listed. This applies even if the flight is far in the future.
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How to Cancel a Companion's Flight:
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Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or via the Southwest app.
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Go to your "My Trips" section.
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Find the upcoming flight that includes your current Companion.
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Look for an option to "Cancel Companion" or "Remove Companion." Follow the prompts to complete the cancellation.
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Important Note on Timing: If you cancel a Companion Pass booking, the "ticket" (which is essentially just the taxes and fees you paid) will be refunded to your original form of payment. The associated points for the primary passenger's flight will also be redeposited if it was a points booking.
Step 3: Logging In and Navigating to Your Companion Pass Management
Now that your slate is clean (no active Companion bookings!), you're ready to make the switch.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
Sub-heading: Accessing Your Rapid Rewards Account
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Go to Southwest.com on your desktop computer or use the Southwest mobile app.
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Click on "Log In" at the top right corner of the website or within the app's menu.
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Enter your Rapid Rewards Username and Password.
Sub-heading: Finding the "Choose Your Companion" Section
Once logged in:
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On the website, click on "My Account" at the top of the screen.
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You'll typically land on your "Snapshot" tab. Look for a section titled "Choose Your Companion" or something similar.
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If you're using the Southwest app, navigate to your account details, and you should find an option related to your Companion Pass.
Step 4: Initiating the Companion Change
Within the "Choose Your Companion" section, you'll see details about your current designated Companion.
Sub-heading: Clicking the "Change Companion" Button
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Locate the link or button that says "Change Companion Info" or "Change Your Companion." It's often a prominent yellow button.
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Clicking this will likely bring up a pop-up window or take you to a new page where you can enter the details for your new Companion.
Step 5: Entering Your New Companion's Information
This is where you'll input the details for the person you want to designate as your new travel buddy.
Sub-heading: Required Information for Your New Companion
Be prepared to provide the following accurate details for your new Companion:
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
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Full Legal Name: This must match their government-issued ID exactly.
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Date of Birth: Crucial for identification.
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Gender: Standard airline requirement.
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Full Address: Including street, city, state/province, and postal code.
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Email Address: For communication and booking confirmations.
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Phone Number: Another contact method.
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Rapid Rewards Number (Optional but Recommended): While not always required for the online change, it's a good idea to have it handy. If your new Companion is already a Rapid Rewards member, linking their account helps ensure a smoother process. If they don't have one, they can easily sign up for free on Southwest.com.
Step 6: Confirming and Saving Your Change
Carefully review all the information you've entered for your new Companion to ensure accuracy. A small typo can lead to big headaches at the airport!
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Sub-heading: Finalizing the Change
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Scroll down the page and click the "Save Companion" or "Submit Change" button.
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You should receive a confirmation message on the screen indicating that your Companion has been successfully changed.
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It's a good idea to refresh your "My Account" page to see the updated Companion information reflected.
Step 7: Booking Travel with Your New Companion
Congratulations! Your new Companion is now designated. You can typically book travel with them the same day you make the change online.
Sub-heading: The Booking Process
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First, book your own flight as the primary Companion Pass holder. You can use cash or Rapid Rewards points.
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Once your flight is booked, go to your "My Trips" section.
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Find your recently booked flight under "Upcoming Trips."
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You should see an "Add Companion" link next to your flight details.
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Click this link and follow the prompts. You will confirm your Companion's details and pay the required taxes and fees (typically $5.60 per one-way domestic flight, though international fees can be higher).
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Click "Purchase" to complete the Companion's reservation.
Step 8: Monitoring Your Remaining Changes
Southwest's online system often displays how many Companion changes you have remaining for the calendar year. This is a very helpful feature for planning.
Sub-heading: Keeping Track
Regularly check your "My Account" section on Southwest.com to see your Companion Pass details, including how many changes you have left. This will help you manage your three annual changes strategically.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
This detailed guide should empower you to confidently change your Southwest Companion Pass designee online. Enjoy your travels with your new companion!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about changing your Southwest Companion:
How to check my remaining Companion Pass changes?
You can typically see your remaining Companion Pass changes in your Rapid Rewards "My Account" section on Southwest.com. It's usually displayed alongside your current Companion Pass details.
How to change my Southwest Companion if I don't have internet access?
If you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-435-9792. They can assist you with changing your designated Companion.
How to cancel a Companion Pass flight for a previously designated Companion?
To cancel a flight for a Companion, log in to your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," find the relevant flight, and look for an option to "Cancel Companion" or "Remove Companion" from that specific reservation.
How to know if my Companion Pass change went through?
After completing the online process, you should receive an on-screen confirmation. Additionally, you can log out and log back into your Rapid Rewards account and check your "My Account" section to see if the new Companion's name is displayed.
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
How to re-add a previous Companion after I've changed them?
Yes, you can re-add a previous Companion. However, doing so will consume one of your three allowable changes for the calendar year. The process is the same as adding a new Companion.
How to ensure my new Companion gets a seat on a specific flight?
To ensure your new Companion gets a seat, always book your own flight first, and then immediately add your Companion to that reservation. Companion Pass bookings are subject to seat availability on the flight. If you're concerned about a popular flight selling out, you could consider booking a refundable ticket for your potential Companion first (using points or cash), and then converting it to a Companion Pass booking once they are officially designated.
How to use my Companion Pass for international flights?
The Southwest Companion Pass works for international flights too! The process is the same: book your flight, then add your Companion. Be aware that the taxes and fees for international Companion Pass bookings will be significantly higher than domestic flights.
How to deal with a Companion Pass change if I have multiple upcoming trips with different Companions?
You can only have one designated Companion at a time. If you have multiple upcoming trips with different individuals, you must complete the trip with your current Companion, then change your Companion to the next person, and then book their flight. Remember the three changes per calendar year limit.
How to troubleshoot if I can't change my Companion online?
If you're having trouble changing your Companion online, double-check that you've canceled all existing reservations for your current Companion. If the issue persists, clear your browser cache and cookies, try a different browser, or contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service for assistance.
How to avoid losing a Companion Pass change if I make a mistake?
While online changes are generally straightforward, always double-check all information before clicking "Save" or "Submit." Since you have a limited number of changes, taking an extra moment to verify details can prevent an accidental use of one of your valuable changes.
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