Your Ultimate Guide to Unlocking the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass in 2025!
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiast! Ever dreamt of exploring new cities, visiting loved ones, or simply taking more spontaneous getaways, but the cost of airfare always seems to double your budget? Imagine if you could cut that cost in half, every single time you fly? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, with the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, it's not! This isn't just a perk; it's a game-changer that allows you to bring one designated person with you on virtually every flight, paying only minimal taxes and fees. If you're ready to revolutionize your travel plans for 2025 and beyond, let's dive into how you can make this incredible benefit yours!
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| How To Get The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass |
Step 1: Understanding the Golden Ticket - What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
Before we get into the "how," let's truly grasp the "what." The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered one of the most valuable perks in the travel world.
What it does: It allows you to choose 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 government-imposed taxes and fees, which are typically a mere $5.60 each way for domestic flights. For international flights, these fees can be higher but are still significantly less than a full fare.
How long it lasts: This is where it gets really exciting. Once you earn the Companion Pass, it's 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 2025, you could potentially have nearly two full years of BOGO (Buy One Get One) flights!
Why it's so powerful: Think about it – unlimited travel with your favorite person for almost free. This isn't a one-time voucher; it applies to every single flight you take during the validity period. This truly unlocks incredible savings and opportunities for adventure.
Step 2: Meeting the Qualification Threshold: The 135,000 Rapid Rewards Points
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to meet one of two criteria within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st):
Option A: Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights. While certainly achievable for some business travelers, this is often the less practical route for most individuals.
Option B: Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points. This is the most common and strategic path to unlocking the Companion Pass, and it's what we'll focus on in this guide.
What counts as "qualifying points"? This is crucial. Not all Rapid Rewards points count towards the Companion Pass. Here's what does:
Points earned from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card sign-up bonuses. This is the biggest leverage point for most people.
Points earned from everyday spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards.
Base points earned on Southwest flights. (Note: Bonus points from A-List status don't count.)
Points earned through Rapid Rewards Shopping portal.
Points earned through Rapid Rewards Dining.
Points earned from Southwest hotel and car rental partners.
Referral bonuses from referring others to Southwest credit cards.
What doesn't count:
Purchased points
Transferred points from other loyalty programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards)
Points from promotional offers that explicitly state they don't count towards the Companion Pass (always read the fine print!)
Points earned from Cash + Points bookings prior to January 1, 2025 (As of Jan 1, 2025, the cash portion of Cash + Points bookings will earn qualifying points).
Step 3: The Fastest Route: Leveraging Southwest Credit Cards (The Credit Card Strategy)
This is where the magic happens for most aspiring Companion Pass holders. The quickest and most efficient way to earn 135,000 qualifying points is through strategically applying for and earning welcome bonuses on Southwest co-branded credit cards issued by Chase.
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
Sub-heading 3.1: Understanding Chase's 5/24 Rule
Before you apply for any Chase credit card, including Southwest cards, you need to be aware of the "5/24 rule." Generally, if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application for a new card. This rule is paramount, so check your credit report carefully before proceeding. If you're at 4/24, you'll want to apply for a business card first if possible, as business cards often don't count toward your 5/24 limit.
Sub-heading 3.2: The Power of Two Cards: Personal + Business
Chase typically restricts you to earning a welcome bonus on only one personal Southwest credit card within a 24-month period. However, you can hold both a personal and a business Southwest credit card simultaneously and earn the welcome bonuses from both!
Here's the general strategy:
Apply for a Southwest Personal Credit Card:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Often has a lower annual fee and a respectable welcome bonus.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Higher annual fee but comes with more benefits, including anniversary points and EarlyBird Check-Ins.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The premium personal card with the highest annual fee but offers the most benefits, like an annual travel credit and upgraded boardings.
Look for limited-time increased welcome offers! These can significantly boost your points total. A common offer for personal cards is 50,000 points after meeting a certain spending threshold.
Apply for a Southwest Business Credit Card:
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: A solid option for small business owners.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: This is often the most lucrative business card, frequently offering welcome bonuses of 80,000 points or more after meeting the spend.
Don't have a traditional "business"? Many individuals qualify for a business credit card even if they don't have a formal LLC. If you freelance, sell items online, do consulting work, or even have a significant side hustle, you likely have a "business" in the eyes of credit card issuers. You can apply as a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number.
The Math: If you can secure a personal card with a 50,000-point bonus and a business card with an 80,000-point bonus, that's already 130,000 points from welcome offers alone! Add in the spending required to meet those bonuses, and you'll easily reach or exceed the 135,000 points. Remember, as a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you'll also receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year, meaning you only need to earn 125,000 qualifying points through other means.
Sub-heading 3.3: Strategic Timing of Applications and Meeting Spend
The timing of when your points post to your Rapid Rewards account is absolutely critical. To maximize the duration of your Companion Pass, you want all 135,000 qualifying points to post within a single calendar year.
Best Scenario: Earn Early in the Year. If you earn the 135,000 points in February 2025, your Companion Pass will be valid for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026 – nearly two full years!
Worst Scenario: Earn Late in the Year (from a timing perspective). If you earn the points in December 2025, your pass will still be valid for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026, but you'll have fewer months of use in the earning year.
To ensure points post in the desired calendar year:
Don't complete your minimum spending requirements too early. If you apply for cards in late 2024 with the intention of earning the pass for 2025/2026, make sure the points don't post to your Rapid Rewards account until January 2025 or later. This might involve timing your final purchases to align with your credit card's statement closing date in early 2025.
Monitor your Rapid Rewards account. Points from credit card spending typically post shortly after your statement closes. Keep an eye on your point balance.
Step 4: Beyond Credit Cards: Other Ways to Accumulate Points
While credit card bonuses are the bedrock of this strategy, diversifying your point earning can help you reach the 135,000 point threshold, especially if you fall a bit short from bonuses.
Tip: Read mindfully — avoid distractions.
Sub-heading 4.1: Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
Shop smarter, not harder! The Rapid Rewards Shopping portal allows you to earn extra points for online purchases from hundreds of popular retailers. Simply log in, click through to your desired store, and make your purchase as usual. The points often count towards the Companion Pass.
Sub-heading 4.2: Rapid Rewards Dining
Eat your way to free flights! Link your credit cards to the Rapid Rewards Dining program. When you dine at participating restaurants, you'll automatically earn Rapid Rewards points. This is an easy way to accumulate points on spending you'd do anyway.
Sub-heading 4.3: Southwest Hotel & Car Rental Partners
Book your stays and drives wisely! When booking hotels or car rentals, check if Southwest has a partnership. Booking through their dedicated portals or using specific partner codes can earn you valuable Rapid Rewards points that count towards the Companion Pass. Some hotel bookings through SouthwestHotels.com can even earn you up to 10,000 points per night!
Sub-heading 4.4: Referral Bonuses
Spread the travel love! If you have a Southwest credit card, you can often refer friends or family members to apply for their own card. If they are approved and meet the spending requirements, you can earn a significant referral bonus (e.g., 20,000 points per successful referral), which do count towards the Companion Pass. This is a fantastic way to accelerate your earning.
Step 5: Activating and Using Your Companion Pass
Once you've hit the magical 135,000 qualifying points (or 100 qualifying flights), Southwest will notify you that you've earned the Companion Pass!
Sub-heading 5.1: Designating Your Companion
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Navigate to your "Snapshot" tab or the "My Account" section.
You'll find a "Choose Your Companion" option. Click on "Enter Companion Info" and follow the instructions to designate your chosen companion. You'll need their name and Rapid Rewards number (if they have one).
You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year. So, if your travel buddy changes, you have flexibility!
Sub-heading 5.2: Booking Flights with Your Companion
Book your own flight first. Whether you're paying with cash or points, secure your own reservation on Southwest.com or the Southwest app.
Add your Companion. After your flight is booked, go to the "My Trips" section of your account. Find your upcoming flight and look for an "Add Companion" link.
Confirm and Pay Fees. Follow the prompts, confirm your companion's details, and pay the required taxes and fees (typically $5.60 each way for domestic flights).
Receive separate confirmation. Your companion will receive their own confirmation number.
Important Note: Your companion's reservation is tied to yours but is a separate booking. If you need to change or cancel, you'll need to do so for both reservations.
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
Step 6: Maximizing Your Companion Pass's Value
Now that you've got this amazing pass, let's ensure you get the absolute most out of it!
Plan trips strategically. Remember the pass is valid for the rest of the earning year PLUS the entire next calendar year. Start planning those trips as soon as you earn it!
Utilize it for both cash and points bookings. Whether you're paying for your flight, or redeeming points, your companion flies for the same low fees.
Consider international travel. While the taxes and fees are higher for international destinations, it's still a significant saving compared to buying two full-price international tickets.
Combine with other promotions. Keep an eye out for Southwest's own flight sales and promotions to stack your savings.
Think about family travel. If you're a family of three, one parent can have the Companion Pass and bring the child, while the other parent buys a ticket. If you're a family of four, two adults could each aim for a Companion Pass, effectively getting four people for the price of two plus fees!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify any lingering doubts:
How to Check My Companion Pass Progress?
You can track your Companion Pass qualifying points by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigating to the "My Account" section. Your progress towards the 135,000 points will be displayed there.
How to Change My Southwest Companion?
You can change your designated Companion up to three times per calendar year. To do so, log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com or the Southwest app, go to the "My Account" or "Manage Companion Pass" section, and follow the instructions to update your companion's information.
How to Use the Companion Pass for International Flights?
The Companion Pass works for international flights just as it does for domestic flights. You book your flight first, then add your companion through the "My Trips" section. Be aware that taxes and fees for international flights will be higher than the $5.60 domestic fee.
How to Get the Companion Pass Faster in 2025?
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
The fastest way to get the Companion Pass is by strategically applying for two Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (one personal and one business, if eligible) and earning their welcome bonuses. Aim to meet the spending requirements early in the calendar year to maximize the pass's validity. Look for elevated sign-up offers on the credit cards.
How to Qualify for a Southwest Business Credit Card?
You might qualify for a Southwest business credit card even if you don't have a traditional business entity. If you have any sort of freelance work, a side hustle, or self-employment income, you can typically apply as a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number.
How to Ensure Points Count Towards Companion Pass?
Verify that the points you are earning are "Companion Pass qualifying points." Points from Southwest credit card welcome bonuses and spending, paid flights, Rapid Rewards Shopping, and Rapid Rewards Dining generally count. Always double-check the terms and conditions of any point-earning activity.
How to Maximize Companion Pass Validity?
To maximize the validity of your Companion Pass, aim to earn the 135,000 qualifying points as early as possible in a calendar year. This will allow you to use the pass for the remainder of that year and the entire following year.
How to Pay for Companion Pass Tickets?
Your companion's portion of the ticket only requires you to pay the government-imposed taxes and fees. For domestic flights, this is typically $5.60 each way. This is paid at the time you add your companion to your reservation.
How to Travel with My Companion if I Book with Points?
Yes, the Companion Pass works whether you book your flight with cash or Rapid Rewards points. Simply book your points flight first, then add your designated companion and pay their taxes and fees.
How to Deal with Chase's 5/24 Rule for Southwest Cards?
Before applying for any Chase card, check your credit report to see how many new credit card accounts you've opened in the last 24 months. If you are at 4/24, consider applying for a Southwest business credit card first, as business cards may not count towards the 5/24 limit. If you're over 5/24, you'll need to wait until you drop below the threshold or explore alternative point-earning strategies.
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