The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is widely considered one of the most valuable travel perks available, and for good reason! It essentially allows you to bring a designated companion with you on any Southwest flight, whether you paid with cash or Rapid Rewards points, for just the cost of government-mandated taxes and fees (which start at a mere $5.60 one-way for domestic flights). Imagine cutting your travel costs in half for nearly two years! If you've just earned this golden ticket to incredible savings, you're in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of using your Southwest Airlines Companion Pass like a pro.
Your Ticket to Two-for-One Travel: How to Use Your Southwest Airlines Companion Pass
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| How Do I Use My Southwest Airlines Companion Pass |
Step 1: Are you ready to unlock incredible savings? Confirm Your Companion Pass Status!
Before you can start booking those two-for-one trips, you need to ensure your Companion Pass is active and ready to use. Southwest will typically send you an email congratulating you on earning the pass.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Status Online
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Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Head over to Southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
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Navigate to "My Account": Once logged in, click on "My Account" at the top of the screen.
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Locate "Choose Your Companion": On your "Snapshot" tab, you should see a section or link labeled "Choose Your Companion" or "Enter Companion Info." This is where the magic begins!
If you don't see this section, it might take a few days for your Companion Pass to be fully processed after you've met the qualification requirements. Don't fret, it's usually quite fast!
Step 2: Designate Your First Travel Buddy!
This is a crucial step! You need to officially name the person who will be flying for free alongside you. Think carefully, as you can only change your designated companion a limited number of times per calendar year.
Sub-heading: Entering Companion Information
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Click "Enter Companion Info" (or similar): Follow the prompts to add your companion's details.
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Provide Accurate Information: You'll need to enter the following for your designated companion:
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Full Name (as it appears on their government-issued ID for travel)
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Date of Birth
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Gender
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Full Address
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Email Address
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Phone Number
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Double-Check Everything! It's extremely important to verify all the information you enter. Once submitted online, you typically cannot make changes to your companion's information yourself. You would need to call Southwest customer service to correct any errors, which can be a hassle.
Southwest will mail you a physical Companion Pass card, but you generally don't need to wait for it to arrive to start booking travel.
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Step 3: Booking Your Flight First
This is where the process differs from a standard two-person booking. You must book your flight first, and then add your companion.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Flight with Cash or Points
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Search for Flights: Go to Southwest.com and search for the flight you want to take.
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Select Your Flight: Choose your desired itinerary and fare type (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select, etc.). The Companion Pass works with all fare types.
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Complete Your Booking: Proceed to book your flight as you normally would, either by paying with cash or redeeming your Rapid Rewards points. Make sure the booking is confirmed and you have your confirmation number.
Pro Tip: Book your flight as soon as you know your travel dates, especially for popular routes or peak travel times. While there are no "blackout dates" for the Companion Pass, companion travel is subject to seat availability. If a flight sells out, you won't be able to add your companion!
Step 4: Adding Your Companion to Your Reservation
Once your flight is booked, it's time to bring your companion along for the ride!
Sub-heading: Online Companion Addition (The Easiest Way)
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Access "My Trips": Log back into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
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Find Your Upcoming Trip: Go to the "My Trips" section. You should see your recently booked flight listed under "Upcoming Trips."
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Click "Add Companion": For the relevant flight, you'll see a link or button that says "Add Companion." Click on it.
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Confirm Companion Details: Your designated companion's information should pre-populate. Review it to ensure it's correct.
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Pay Taxes and Fees: You will be prompted to pay the government-mandated taxes and fees for your companion's ticket. For domestic flights within the U.S., this is typically $5.60 per one-way segment. For international flights, these fees can be higher, varying by destination.
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Complete the Purchase: Finalize the transaction. You will receive a separate confirmation number for your companion's reservation.
Sub-heading: Adding Your Companion Over the Phone
If you encounter any issues with the online process or simply prefer to speak to someone, you can call Southwest Airlines directly:
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Southwest Airlines Reservations: 1-800-248-4377
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Rapid Rewards Customer Service: 1-800-435-9792 (though the reservations line is usually sufficient for adding a companion).
Be prepared to provide your confirmation number and your companion's details.
Reminder: Short breaks can improve focus.
Step 5: Traveling with Your Companion
You've done the hard work, now enjoy the benefits!
Sub-heading: Checking In for Your Flights
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You and your companion will typically receive sequential boarding positions unless you or your companion have A-List/A-List Preferred status, purchased Business Select, or added EarlyBird Check-In. In those cases, the Companion's boarding position will be determined based on the later of the two check-in times or other applicable boarding policies.
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While a physical Companion Pass card is mailed to you, it's rarely requested at the airport. However, it's good practice to carry it, just in case. Your Companion Pass status is tied to your Rapid Rewards account, and the system verifies it when you add your companion to a booking.
Step 6: Changing Your Designated Companion (If Needed)
Life happens, and sometimes your travel plans or preferred companion change. Southwest allows you to change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Sub-heading: How to Change Your Companion Online
Southwest has made this process much easier recently!
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Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Go to Southwest.com and log in.
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Navigate to "My Account": Click on "My Account."
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Find Your Companion Pass Section: On the "Snapshot" tab, locate the "Choose Your Companion" or "Manage Companion Pass" section. You should see your current designated companion listed.
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Click "Change Companion": There will be a prominent button to change your companion.
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Enter New Companion Info: Similar to the initial designation, you'll enter the full details for your new companion.
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Confirm and Save: Double-check all information before saving.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations When Changing Companions
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Cancel Existing Bookings: Before you can change your designated companion, you must cancel any existing reservations that include your current companion. If you don't, the system won't allow the change.
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Processing Time: While the online change is often instant for booking new flights, Southwest states it can take up to 21 business days to process and mail a new physical Companion Pass card. Plan accordingly if you rely on the card for some reason (though, as mentioned, it's rarely needed).
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Limit of Three Changes: Remember, you only get three changes per calendar year. Use them wisely!
Maximizing Your Companion Pass
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Earn it early in the year! The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year. Earning it in January means nearly two full years of BOGO flights!
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Book your flight first, and then add your companion immediately. This ensures your companion gets a seat, especially on popular flights.
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The Companion Pass works on both paid and points bookings, giving you immense flexibility.
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There are no blackout dates for Companion Pass travel. If a seat is available for sale, you can add your companion.
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Only the primary passenger earns Rapid Rewards points on flights. Your companion's "free" flight does not earn points.
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
To qualify, you need to either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a single calendar year. The most common way to earn points is through Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card welcome bonuses and spending.
How to Change My Southwest Companion Pass Companion?
You can change your designated companion online by logging into your Rapid Rewards account, navigating to "My Account," and finding the "Change Companion" option. You can also call Southwest customer service. Remember you can only make up to three changes per calendar year, and all existing bookings for your current companion must be canceled first.
How to Add My Companion to an Existing Southwest Reservation?
After you've booked your own flight, log into your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," find your upcoming flight, and click the "Add Companion" link. Follow the prompts to confirm their details and pay the applicable taxes and fees.
How to Know When My Southwest Companion Pass Expires?
Your Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earned it, plus the entire following calendar year. You can check its expiration date by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com under "My Account."
How to Handle Taxes and Fees for My Southwest Companion?
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
For domestic flights, the taxes and fees for your companion typically start at $5.60 per one-way trip. For international flights, these fees can be higher and vary by destination. You will pay these fees when you add your companion to your reservation.
How to Use the Companion Pass for International Flights?
The Companion Pass works for international flights as well. The process is the same: book your flight first, then add your companion. Be aware that international taxes and fees will be higher than domestic ones.
How to Book with Companion Pass if a Flight is Full?
You cannot book with a Companion Pass if there are no seats available for sale on the flight. Companion Pass travel is subject to availability, meaning if there's no revenue seat to purchase, you cannot add your companion.
How to Earn More Rapid Rewards Points Towards Companion Pass?
Qualifying points can be earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest, points earned on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (including welcome bonuses), and base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners (e.g., hotels, car rentals, shopping portal).
How to Travel with My Companion if They Don't Have a Rapid Rewards Account?
Your companion does not need their own Rapid Rewards account to fly with you using the Companion Pass. You simply add their personal information when designating them as your companion.
How to Use the Companion Pass with Points Bookings?
Absolutely! The Southwest Companion Pass is valid whether you pay for your own flight with cash or redeem Rapid Rewards points. The process remains the same: book your flight first (with points), then add your designated companion for the cost of taxes and fees.
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