Have you ever dreamt of traveling the world (or at least, the Southwest Airlines network) and bringing a loved one along for almost nothing? Imagine this: you book a flight, and your favorite travel buddy flies with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, with the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, it's a very real, and incredibly valuable, perk!
This guide will break down exactly how the Companion Pass works, how you can earn it, and how to maximize its phenomenal benefits. Get ready to transform your travel plans!
The Magic of the Southwest Companion Pass: Your Ultimate Travel Buddy
The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered one of the best travel perks in the airline industry. It allows you to designate one person to fly with you for free on any Southwest flight, whether you pay with cash or Rapid Rewards points. The only cost for your companion is the government-imposed taxes and fees, which typically amount to a mere $5.60 one-way for domestic flights.
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| How Does Companion Pass Work On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Understand What the Companion Pass Truly Offers - Are You Ready to Unlock Free Flights?
Before diving into how to earn it, let's truly grasp the power of the Companion Pass. Think about it:
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Unlimited Free Flights: Once earned, you can use the Companion Pass an unlimited number of times for the duration of its validity.
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Flexible Companion: You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. This means you're not stuck with just one person, allowing you to travel with different friends or family members throughout the year.
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Cash or Points: It works whether you book your own flight with cash or redeem your Rapid Rewards points. This is a huge advantage, especially when combining it with earned points.
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Significant Savings: For couples or families, this perk can literally save you thousands of dollars on airfare over one or two years.
So, are you excited? Let's move on to how you can make this dream a reality!
Step 2: Meeting the Qualification Requirements - The Path to Your Pass
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to meet one of two qualification criteria within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st):
Sub-heading: Option A: Fly 100 Qualifying One-Way Flights
This option is primarily for very frequent flyers. You would need to complete 100 paid one-way flight segments on Southwest Airlines within a calendar year. While straightforward, for most leisure travelers, this can be quite a challenge.
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
Sub-heading: Option B: Earn 135,000 Qualifying Rapid Rewards Points
This is the most popular and achievable method for earning the Companion Pass, especially for those who leverage credit card welcome bonuses. Here's what counts towards these qualifying points:
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Points from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards:
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Welcome Bonuses: This is often the fastest way. Sign-up bonuses from eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (issued by Chase) count directly towards the 135,000 points.
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Everyday Spending: Points earned from spending on your Southwest credit cards also count.
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Annual Point Boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmember, you typically receive a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year.
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Points from Southwest Flights: Points earned from purchasing Southwest flights directly. The number of points you earn depends on the fare type (e.g., Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away).
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Points from Southwest Partners: Points earned through Southwest's hotel, car rental, dining, and shopping partners. However, note that only the base points count, not any bonus promotions from these partners.
Important Considerations for Earning Points:
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Timing is Key: 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 (e.g., January or February), you can enjoy nearly two full years of the benefit! If you earn it in December, it's only valid for the next calendar year.
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Credit Card Strategy: Many successful Companion Pass earners strategically apply for one personal Southwest credit card and one Southwest business credit card (if they qualify for a business card) to accumulate points quickly through their welcome bonuses. It's crucial to time when these bonuses post to your account. For example, if you apply for cards in late 2024 but ensure the minimum spend is met in early 2025, the points will count towards your 2025 qualification.
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Points from transferred partners (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards) generally do NOT count towards Companion Pass qualification. Only points earned directly through Southwest or its co-branded credit cards and partners, as outlined above, will qualify.
Step 3: Designating Your Companion - Choosing Your Travel Partner
Once you've met the qualification criteria, Southwest Airlines will notify you that you've earned the Companion Pass. The next step is to designate your companion.
Sub-heading: The Designation Process:
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Log In: Access your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
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Locate Companion Pass Section: On your "Snapshot" or "My Account" page, you'll find a section related to your Companion Pass.
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Enter Companion Info: Click on the option to "Choose Your Companion" or "Enter Companion Info." You'll need their name, Rapid Rewards number (if they have one), and date of birth.
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Confirm: Follow the prompts to confirm your designated companion.
Remember: You can change your designated companion up to three times within the calendar year, in addition to your initial selection. This is a fantastic feature if your travel plans or companion preferences change.
Step 4: Booking Flights with Your Companion Pass - The Fun Part!
This is where the magic truly comes alive! Booking flights with your Companion Pass is incredibly simple.
Sub-heading: How to Book Your Flight and Add Your Companion:
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
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Book Your Flight First: You, as the Companion Pass holder, must book your flight first. You can do this with cash or by redeeming Rapid Rewards points.
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Add Your Companion:
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Online: After your flight is booked, go to the "My Trips" section of your Southwest account.
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Find your upcoming flight.
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Look for an "Add Companion" link next to your reservation. Click on it.
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Review the Companion's information and the applicable taxes and fees (typically $5.60 per one-way domestic flight).
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Complete the purchase.
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By Phone: Alternatively, you can call Southwest Airlines Customer Service (1-800-435-9792 or 1-800-248-4377) and inform the representative that you wish to add a Companion Pass traveler to your existing reservation.
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Key Tips for Booking:
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Availability: While there are no blackout dates for Companion Pass travel, your companion's seat is subject to availability. This means if a flight is fully booked, you won't be able to add a companion. It's always best to book your flight and add your companion as soon as your travel plans are firm.
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Separate Boarding: Unless you purchase a Business Select fare or add your companion at the time of your initial booking and receive sequential boarding, your companion will receive a boarding position based on their check-in time, or if they have A-List/A-List Preferred status, or EarlyBird Check-In. This means you might not always have sequential boarding positions.
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No Points Earned: Your companion's flight does not earn Rapid Rewards points.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Companion Pass - Get the Most Out of It
Now that you know how to earn and use it, let's talk about squeezing every drop of value from your Companion Pass.
Sub-heading: Strategic Earning for Longer Validity:
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As mentioned, aim to earn the Companion Pass as early in the calendar year as possible. This will grant you nearly two years of free companion travel. For example, if you qualify in January 2026, your pass is valid for all of 2026 and all of 2027.
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Consider applying for credit cards in late November or December, but strategically meet the minimum spending requirements in January of the new year. This ensures the bonus points post in the new calendar year, maximizing your Companion Pass validity.
Sub-heading: Pairing with Rapid Rewards Points:
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The Companion Pass is incredibly powerful when combined with Rapid Rewards points. You can redeem your points for your flight, and then add your companion for just the taxes and fees. This essentially gives you two flights for the price of zero points (plus minimal fees)!
Sub-heading: Flexibility with Companion Changes:
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Don't forget you have three opportunities to change your designated companion each calendar year. This is perfect for group travel or if your primary travel partner changes. Just remember that if you have existing flights booked for a current companion, you'll need to cancel their reservation before you can change your designated companion and rebook for the new one.
Sub-heading: Utilizing Southwest's Flexible Policies:
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Southwest is known for its flexible change and cancellation policies. If your plans change, you can modify or cancel your flight (and your companion's) without incurring change fees, only paying or receiving a refund for fare differences and taxes/fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Southwest Companion Pass
QuickTip: Don’t just scroll — process what you see.
Here are 10 common questions related to the Southwest Companion Pass:
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can earn the Southwest Companion Pass by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or by accumulating 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points within a single calendar year. The latter is most often achieved through welcome bonuses and spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards.
How to change my designated Southwest Companion Pass companion?
You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. This can now be done online through your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com in the "My Account" or "Snapshot" section, or by calling Southwest Airlines Customer Service.
How to add a companion to a Southwest flight after booking?
After you book your own flight, log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," find your upcoming flight, and click the "Add Companion" link. Follow the prompts to add your designated companion and pay their taxes and fees.
How to track my progress towards the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can track your progress towards the 135,000 qualifying points or 100 flights by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. There will be a tracker on your account dashboard.
How to maximize the validity period of the Southwest Companion Pass?
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
To maximize the validity, aim to earn the Companion Pass as early in the calendar year as possible (ideally January or February). This ensures you have the pass for the remainder of that year and the entire following calendar year.
How to use the Companion Pass for international flights?
Yes, you can use the Southwest Companion Pass for international flights operated by Southwest Airlines. However, the taxes and fees for international destinations will be higher than the standard $5.60 for domestic flights.
How to get a Companion Pass with credit card bonuses?
The most common way is to strategically apply for two Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (one personal and one business, if eligible) and earn their substantial welcome bonuses. Ensure the points from these bonuses post to your Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year.
How to use points for my flight and the Companion Pass for my companion?
First, book your flight using your Rapid Rewards points. Then, follow the steps in "How to add a companion to a Southwest flight after booking?" to add your designated companion for just the taxes and fees.
How to handle a Companion Pass if my companion can't fly?
If your designated companion cannot make a booked flight, you will need to cancel their reservation. If you need to change your designated companion for future travel, remember you have up to three changes per calendar year. Any existing bookings for the current companion must be cancelled before you can make a change.
How to avoid common mistakes when pursuing the Companion Pass?
A common mistake is having credit card bonus points post too late in the year, shortening your Companion Pass validity. Another is assuming all points count towards qualification (e.g., points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards do not). Always check the official Southwest Airlines website for the most up-to-date rules and qualifying point categories.
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