Have you ever dreamt of traveling the world (or at least the U.S. and its near neighbors) with your favorite person by your side, all while paying for only one ticket? Well, that dream can become a reality with the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass! It's often hailed as one of the most valuable perks in the world of travel rewards, and for good reason. Imagine getting virtually unlimited buy-one-get-one-free flights for up to two years! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about earning and maximizing this incredible benefit.
Your Ultimate Guide to Earning the Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to designate one person to fly with you for free on any Southwest flight, whether you paid with cash or Rapid Rewards points. The only cost for your companion will be the mandatory taxes and fees, which are typically just $5.60 one-way for domestic flights.
Step 1: Understand the Goal – The Qualification Criteria
Before we dive into the "how," let's understand the "what." To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to meet one of two criteria within a single calendar year:
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights: This means 100 paid flights on Southwest Airlines. For most people, this is a very challenging feat.
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points: This is the much more achievable and popular method for earning the pass. These points are distinct from redeemable Rapid Rewards points, though many points you earn will count towards both.
Important Note on Timing: The earlier in the calendar year you earn the Companion Pass, the longer you get to enjoy its benefits. If you earn it in January, it's valid for the remainder of that year and the entire following calendar year. If you earn it in December, you'll still get it for the remainder of that year and the entire next year, but that "remainder" will be very short. Planning is key!
Step 2: Focus on Earning Companion Pass Qualifying Points
Since flying 100 flights is often impractical, our focus will be on accumulating 135,000 qualifying points. Not all points count towards the Companion Pass, so it's crucial to know which ones do:
Sub-heading: What Counts Towards Companion Pass Qualification?
Points earned from revenue flights: When you pay for Southwest flights with dollars, LUV Vouchers, gift cards, or flight credits.
Points earned from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: This is the most common and fastest way to earn the pass. This includes:
Welcome offers (sign-up bonuses): These are large chunks of points you earn after meeting a certain spending requirement when opening a new Southwest credit card.
Points earned from everyday spending: Every dollar you spend on your Southwest credit card earns Rapid Rewards points, and these points also count towards Companion Pass qualification.
Annual 10,000-point boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you automatically receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year. This is a huge head start!
Referral bonuses: If you refer a friend to a Southwest credit card and they are approved, you can earn bonus points that count.
Quarterly bonus categories (NEW for 2025!): Southwest is offering new quarterly promotions where Rapid Rewards cardholders can earn double Companion Pass-qualifying points on rotating spending categories. For Q3 2025, for example, it's 2X points on travel purchases. Keep an eye on these!
Base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners: This includes points earned from hotel bookings, car rentals, and shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal or dining through Rapid Rewards Dining.
Sub-heading: What Doesn't Count Towards Companion Pass Qualification?
It's equally important to know what won't help you reach your goal:
Purchased points
Points transferred between Members
Points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs (e.g., Marriott, Hyatt, etc.)
Points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment
Tier bonus points (e.g., A-List or A-List Preferred bonuses)
Flight bonus points
Points earned from Companion Pass travel itself
Step 3: Strategize with Southwest Credit Cards
This is where the magic happens for most aspiring Companion Pass holders. The most effective strategy involves strategically opening Southwest co-branded credit cards.
Sub-heading: The Two-Card Strategy (Most Popular)
Since Chase, the issuer of Southwest credit cards, has rules about how often you can receive a welcome bonus, the typical strategy involves opening two different Southwest credit cards. You generally cannot have more than one personal Southwest card open at a time if you've received a welcome offer on one in the last 24 months. Therefore, the common approach is:
One Southwest Personal Credit Card: Choose from options like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, Premier, or Priority Credit Card. These often have welcome offers of 50,000-80,000 points after meeting a minimum spend.
One Southwest Business Credit Card: If you have any sort of small business (even a side hustle like selling items online, freelancing, or consulting), you might qualify for a business card. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card or Premier Business Credit Card often have higher welcome offers (e.g., 60,000-80,000 points) and can significantly boost your point total.
Why two cards? A single card's welcome offer, even with spending, typically won't get you to 135,000 points on its own. By combining the welcome bonuses and the spending required to earn them from two cards, you can often get very close or even exceed the 135,000 point threshold.
Sub-heading: Key Considerations for Credit Card Applications
Chase 5/24 Rule: Chase has an unofficial rule that generally denies applications for new credit cards if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months. This is crucial for Southwest cards, as they are issued by Chase. If you are at 4/24, consider applying for a business card first, as some business cards from Chase might not count towards your personal 5/24 limit.
Timing of Applications: Apply for both cards strategically so that the welcome offer points (and the points from meeting the minimum spend) all post to your Rapid Rewards account within the same calendar year. If points post in different years, they count towards different Companion Pass qualification periods. The ideal scenario is to apply for the cards towards the end of one year (e.g., November/December) and then complete the spending requirements early in the following calendar year (e.g., January/February). This way, all points post in the new year, giving you the Companion Pass for almost two full years.
Meeting Minimum Spend: Make sure you can comfortably meet the spending requirements for both credit cards without overspending or going into debt.
Step 4: Rack Up the Remaining Points
Even with two strong credit card welcome offers, you might still need a few thousand more points to reach 135,000. Here are some excellent ways to top off your Companion Pass qualifying points:
Everyday Spending on Southwest Credit Cards: Continue using your new Southwest credit cards for your regular purchases. All points earned from spending count towards the Companion Pass.
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal: Before making any online purchases, check the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. You can earn bonus points for shopping at hundreds of popular retailers. These points generally count towards Companion Pass.
Rapid Rewards Dining: Link your credit cards to Rapid Rewards Dining and earn points for dining at participating restaurants.
Southwest Travel: If you plan on taking any paid Southwest flights, the points earned from these flights will also contribute.
Southwest Partners: Look for opportunities to earn points with Southwest's hotel and car rental partners.
Step 5: Designate Your Companion
Once you've earned 135,000 qualifying points (or flown 100 qualifying flights) within a calendar year, Southwest will notify you of your Companion Pass status.
Sub-heading: How to Designate Your Companion:
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account: Go to Southwest.com.
Navigate to your "Snapshot" tab: You should see a "Choose Your Companion" section.
Click "Enter Companion Info": Follow the instructions to enter your chosen companion's details (name, date of birth, gender).
Confirm: Once confirmed, this person is your designated companion.
You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. This flexibility is fantastic if your travel plans or frequent travel companions change!
Step 6: Booking and Flying with Your Companion Pass
Now for the fun part – using your Companion Pass!
Sub-heading: Booking Your Flights:
Book your own flight first: This is crucial. You must book your flight (either with cash or Rapid Rewards points) before you can add your companion.
Add your companion: After your flight is booked, log back into your Rapid Rewards account.
Go to the "My Trips" section.
Find your upcoming flight and click the "Add Companion" link.
Follow the prompts to add your designated companion.
You will only pay the applicable taxes and fees for your companion's ticket (e.g., $5.60 each way for domestic flights).
Confirm the companion's reservation: Complete the process by reviewing the information and purchasing your companion's flight.
You can also call Southwest Airlines customer service (1-800-248-4377) to add your companion.
Sub-heading: Important Tips for Using Your Companion Pass:
Book early: While Southwest doesn't have blackout dates for Companion Pass, seats are subject to availability. Booking your flight and then adding your companion as early as possible increases the chances that there will be a seat available for them.
Flexibility is your friend: If you're struggling to find availability for your companion on a specific flight, consider being flexible with your travel dates or times.
Cancelation is easy: If your plans change, you can easily cancel your companion's reservation. You'll just need to rebook your flight and then add your companion again for the new flight.
Only the primary passenger earns points: When flying with a Companion Pass, only the Rapid Rewards member who booked the original ticket will earn Rapid Rewards points for that flight. The companion does not earn points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Southwest Companion Pass
Here are 10 common questions about the Southwest Companion Pass, with quick answers to help you navigate this fantastic benefit:
How to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
You qualify by earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights within a single calendar year.
How to get the 135,000 qualifying points for the Companion Pass?
The most common way is by opening two Southwest co-branded credit cards (one personal and one business, or two business cards if eligible) and earning their welcome offers, plus points from everyday spending and other Rapid Rewards partners.
How to use the Southwest Companion Pass once I earn it?
First, book your own flight (with cash or points). Then, log into your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," find your flight, and click "Add Companion" to add your designated companion for only the cost of taxes and fees.
How to maximize the validity period of my Southwest Companion Pass?
Earn the pass as early in the calendar year as possible. If you earn it in January, it will be valid for the rest of that year and the entire following calendar year, giving you almost two full years of benefits.
How to change my designated companion?
You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. Log into your Rapid Rewards account, go to your "Snapshot" tab, and update your companion's information.
How to ensure my credit card points count towards the Companion Pass?
Ensure that the points from your credit card welcome offers and spending post to your Rapid Rewards account within the same calendar year you are trying to qualify for the Companion Pass. Check your credit card's statement closing dates.
How to earn additional qualifying points after credit card bonuses?
Utilize the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, Rapid Rewards Dining, and earn points through Southwest's hotel and car rental partners. All points earned from these activities generally count towards the Companion Pass.
How to travel internationally with the Companion Pass?
The Companion Pass can be used for international flights too! Your companion will still fly for free, but the taxes and fees for international destinations will be higher than the standard $5.60 domestic fee.
How to renew my Southwest Companion Pass?
To requalify, you simply need to meet the same criteria again (135,000 qualifying points or 100 qualifying flights) in the calendar year before your current Companion Pass expires.
How to find out my Companion Pass qualification progress?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigate to your "Snapshot" or "My Account" section. You should see your progress towards A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass status.