How to Earn a Companion Pass on Southwest Airlines: Your Ultimate Guide to Flying for (Almost) Free!
Imagine this: You book a flight, and boom, your favorite travel buddy flies with you for almost nothing. No, it's not a dream. It's the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, one of the most valuable perks in the travel world, and it could be yours! Are you ready to unlock nearly two years of buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) flights? Let's dive in!
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free on any Southwest flight, whether you've paid with cash or Rapid Rewards points. All you have to cover are the minor taxes and fees, typically $5.60 each way for domestic flights. This pass is valid for the rest of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year, making timing a critical element for maximum value.
Step 1: Understand the Golden Rule of the Companion Pass
First things first, let's get you acquainted with the core requirement. To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to achieve one of two things within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st):
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights with Southwest Airlines.
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points.
Now, let's be honest. Unless you're a heavy business traveler, flying 100 one-way segments in a year is a monumental task for most. That's why the 135,000 qualifying points method is the preferred and most accessible path for the vast majority of aspiring Companion Pass holders.
Important Note for 2025: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you automatically receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each calendar year. This means if you hold a Southwest credit card, you technically only need to earn 125,000 qualifying points through other means! This boost is usually deposited into your account by January 31st or within 30 days of account opening.
Step 2: Strategize Your Points Accumulation – The Credit Card Method (Highly Recommended!)
This is where the magic truly happens. While you can earn Rapid Rewards points through flying, shopping portals, and partners, the most efficient and fastest way to hit that 135,000 (or 125,000 with a card) point threshold is through Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card welcome bonuses.
Sub-heading: Understanding Southwest Credit Cards
Southwest offers several co-branded credit cards through Chase, including personal and business options. The welcome bonuses on these cards are the bedrock of most Companion Pass strategies.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Personal Credit Cards:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Credit Cards:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Each card comes with different annual fees, earning rates, and perks. Crucially, the welcome bonus points earned from these cards count directly towards your Companion Pass qualification!
Sub-heading: The Two-Card Strategy
Due to Chase's "5/24 rule" and Southwest's own card eligibility rules (you generally cannot get a welcome bonus on a personal Southwest card if you've received one in the last 24 months, or if you currently hold a personal Southwest card), the most common and effective strategy involves applying for two Southwest credit cards:
One Personal Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card.
One Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Credit Card.
Why a business card? Even if you don't consider yourself a "business owner," you might qualify for a business credit card as a sole proprietor. This includes activities like selling items online, freelancing, dog walking, or even occasional consulting. You can often apply using your Social Security Number (SSN) as your Tax ID (TIN).
Here's how it works in principle:
Current Welcome Offers (as of July 2025, always check current offers as they change!):
Many personal cards offer welcome bonuses in the range of 50,000 to 80,000 points after meeting a specific spending requirement.
Business cards often have even higher welcome bonuses, sometimes ranging from 60,000 to 120,000 points.
By strategically opening two cards and meeting their respective spending requirements, you can easily accumulate the necessary 125,000-135,000 points. For instance, if you earn a 50,000-point bonus from a personal card and an 80,000-point bonus from a business card, that's already 130,000 points, plus the points you earned from meeting the minimum spend. Add in your 10,000 point boost if you're a cardmember, and you're well over the threshold!
Step 3: Timing is Everything – Maximize Your Companion Pass Duration
This is perhaps the most important aspect of earning the Companion Pass for maximum value. Remember, the Companion Pass is valid for:
The remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it.
The entire following calendar year.
Therefore, the ideal time to earn the Companion Pass is early in a calendar year (January or February).
Consider this example for earning in early 2025:
If you hit 135,000 qualifying points in February 2025, your Companion Pass would be valid for the rest of 2025 AND all of 2026. That's nearly two full years of BOGO flights!
If you hit 135,000 qualifying points in December 2025, your Companion Pass would only be valid for the remaining days of 2025 AND all of 2026. Still great, but you miss out on almost a full year of savings.
Sub-heading: Strategic Application & Spending
To achieve this ideal timing, you'll want to plan your credit card applications and spending carefully.
Apply for your first card in late Q4 of the previous year (e.g., late 2024 for a 2025 Companion Pass) or very early in the target year (January 2025).
Do NOT meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome bonus until January 1st of the target year. This ensures that the bulk of your points (the welcome bonus) posts to your Rapid Rewards account in the new calendar year.
Apply for your second card shortly after the first, or once you've nearly met the spend on the first, again with the goal of points posting in the target calendar year.
Pro-Tip: Keep track of your spending and when your statement closes. Points typically post to your Rapid Rewards account after your statement closes.
Step 4: Diverse Your Point Earning (If Needed)
While credit card welcome bonuses are the cornerstone, here are other ways to accumulate Companion Pass qualifying points if you need to top up:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card Spending: All points earned from your daily spending on Southwest co-branded credit cards count.
Southwest Flights: Points earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines directly count. The number of points you earn per dollar depends on your fare type (e.g., Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus, Wanna Get Away).
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Earn points by shopping online at hundreds of retailers through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. Every point earned here counts!
Rapid Rewards Dining Program: Link your credit cards and earn points by dining at participating restaurants.
Southwest Hotel & Car Rental Partners: Book hotels or car rentals through Southwest's partners.
Referral Bonuses: If you refer a friend who gets approved for a Southwest credit card, you can earn referral bonus points that count towards the Companion Pass.
Cash + Points Bookings (starting Jan 1, 2025): For flights completed after January 1, 2025, the cash portion of Cash + Points bookings will earn Companion Pass qualifying points.
What DOESN'T count? Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards (though a great program for flexible travel), purchased points, or gifted points do not count towards Companion Pass qualification.
Step 5: Designate Your Companion and Start Flying!
Once you hit the 135,000 (or 125,000) qualifying points, Southwest will notify you that you've earned the Companion Pass!
Sub-heading: How to Designate Your Companion
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Navigate to your "My Account" or "Snapshot" tab.
Look for the "Choose Your Companion" section and click "Enter Companion Info."
Follow the instructions to designate your companion. You'll need their name, date of birth, and Rapid Rewards number (if they have one).
Sub-heading: How to Use Your Companion Pass
Book your own flight first. You can book with cash or Rapid Rewards points.
Once your flight is confirmed, go to the "My Trips" section of your account.
Find your upcoming flight and look for an "Add Companion" link.
Click the link, confirm your Companion's details, and pay the required taxes and fees (typically $5.60 each way for domestic flights).
Voila! Your companion's reservation will be linked to yours.
Important Considerations:
You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year.
If you need to change your own flight, you may need to cancel your companion's reservation first, re-book your flight, and then add your companion again.
While your companion flies free, they will occupy a seat, and thus standard baggage policies apply.
Step 6: Enjoy the Freedom of Flying Together!
With your Southwest Companion Pass in hand, the world (or at least the Southwest network) is your oyster! Enjoy exploring new destinations, visiting family, or simply taking more frequent getaways, all while saving significantly on airfare. This pass can literally halve your flight costs for two people, making it an incredibly powerful tool for budget-conscious travelers.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Calculate My Progress Towards the Companion Pass?
You can track your Companion Pass qualifying points and flight segments by logging into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your progress is typically displayed on your "Snapshot" or "My Account" page.
How to Know When the Best Time to Apply for Southwest Credit Cards Is?
The best time to apply is typically when the welcome offers are elevated, often aligning with a Companion Pass offer. Aim to apply in late Q4 of the previous year or very early in the year you want to earn the pass (e.g., December 2024 or January 2025 for a 2025/2026 pass), ensuring your welcome bonus points post in the new calendar year.
How to Qualify for a Southwest Business Credit Card?
You may qualify as a sole proprietor even if you don't have a formal business entity. Activities like freelancing, selling goods online, consulting, or any side hustle can be considered a business. You can use your Social Security Number (SSN) as your Tax ID when applying.
How to Change My Designated Companion on the Pass?
You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, navigating to "My Account," and selecting the option to change your companion. Any existing reservations for your current companion must be canceled first.
How to Use the Companion Pass for International Flights?
Yes, the Companion Pass works for international Southwest flights. However, the taxes and fees for international travel will be higher than the standard $5.60 for domestic flights and will vary by destination.
How to Ensure My Credit Card Bonus Points Count Towards the Companion Pass?
All points earned from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card welcome bonuses and everyday spending on those cards automatically count towards Companion Pass qualification. Ensure your points post to your Rapid Rewards account within the same calendar year.
How to Keep My Companion Pass After the Initial Period?
To keep your Companion Pass, you must re-qualify each calendar year by earning 135,000 qualifying points (or 125,000 with a Southwest credit card) or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights.
How to Add My Companion to a Flight Booked with Points?
The process is the same whether you booked your flight with cash or points. After you book your own flight, go to "My Trips" on Southwest.com, find your reservation, and click "Add Companion." You'll then pay the taxes and fees.
How to Earn Points Beyond Credit Card Bonuses for the Pass?
Beyond credit cards, you can earn qualifying points through paid Southwest flights, spending with Southwest's hotel and car rental partners, shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, and dining through the Rapid Rewards Dining program.
How to Verify if a Specific Promotion Will Count Towards the Companion Pass?
Generally, points earned from limited-time promotions directly tied to Southwest credit card spending or specific Rapid Rewards partner activities may count. Always read the terms and conditions of any promotion carefully to confirm if the points are Companion Pass qualifying.
