The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is easily one of the most valuable perks in the world of travel. Imagine being able to bring a friend, family member, or loved one on almost every single flight you take, for virtually free. That's right, you only pay the taxes and fees, which are typically a mere $5.60 one-way for domestic flights. If you're someone who loves to travel, or even someone who travels frequently for business, this pass can translate into incredible savings and unforgettable experiences.
But how exactly do you use this magical pass once you've earned it? Don't worry, we're going to break it down step-by-step. Get ready to unlock a world of travel possibilities!
Step 1: Confirm Your Companion Pass Eligibility and Designate Your Companion
Ready to start planning those fantastic adventures? Before you even think about booking a flight, the very first thing you need to do is ensure your Companion Pass is active and you've designated your chosen travel buddy.
Checking Your Companion Pass Status
Log in to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Head over to Southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account. This is your command center for all things Southwest.
Navigate to "My Account": Once logged in, look for "My Account" at the top of the screen or in your profile menu. This is where you'll find a snapshot of your Rapid Rewards activity and benefits.
Locate "Choose Your Companion": If you've earned the Companion Pass, you should see a section clearly labeled "Choose Your Companion" or "Manage Your Companion Pass". If you don't see this, it might mean your pass hasn't been fully processed yet, or you haven't quite met the earning requirements (100 qualifying one-way flights or 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year).
Designating Your Companion
Enter Companion Info: Click on the "Enter Companion info" link within the "Choose Your Companion" section.
Provide Details: You'll need to enter the full legal name and date of birth of the person you wish to designate as your Companion. Make sure this information exactly matches their government-issued ID that they'll use for travel. Any discrepancies could lead to issues at the airport.
Confirmation: Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your designation. You'll usually receive an email confirmation once your Companion has been successfully designated.
Important Note: You can change your designated Companion up to three times each calendar year that you hold Companion Pass privileges. If you need to change your Companion, any existing reservations with your current designated Companion must be canceled first. You can typically do this online or by calling Southwest Customer Service.
Step 2: Book the Primary Traveler's Flight
This is a crucial step! You must book your flight first before you can add your Companion. The Companion Pass allows your designated person to fly with you, not in your place.
Options for Booking Your Flight
Online via Southwest.com: This is generally the easiest and most common method.
Search for Flights: Go to the "Flight" tab on Southwest.com. Enter your origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers (just you for this initial booking, not your Companion yet!).
Choose Your Fare: Select your desired fare type (Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select). Remember, the Companion Pass works whether you pay with cash or Rapid Rewards points! This flexibility is a huge advantage.
Complete Your Booking: Proceed through the booking process, entering your traveler details and payment information. Once confirmed, you'll receive a confirmation email with your reservation details.
Using the Southwest Mobile App: The process is very similar to the website.
Open the app, select "Book Flight," and follow the prompts to book your individual flight.
Via Phone with a Customer Representative: If you prefer speaking to someone, you can call Southwest Airlines directly (1-800-435-9792). Be sure to mention you'll be using your Companion Pass when you book your flight.
Pro-Tip: While you can book your Companion later, it's often a good idea to book both tickets (your paid/points ticket and your Companion Pass ticket) as close together as possible, especially for popular routes or peak travel times. This ensures there's still availability for your Companion.
Step 3: Add Your Designated Companion to Your Reservation
Now for the magic! Once your flight is booked, you can add your Companion.
Adding Your Companion Online
Access "My Trips": Log back into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Find Your Upcoming Trip: Go to the "My Trips" section. You'll see your recently booked flight listed under "Upcoming Trips."
Locate "Add Companion": For eligible reservations, you will see a prominent "Add Companion" link associated with your flight. Click on this link.
Review Companion Information: The system will typically pre-fill your designated Companion's information. Double-check to ensure it's correct and matches their government-issued ID.
Confirm and Purchase: You'll be prompted to confirm the Companion's flight. While the "airfare" portion is free, you will still need to pay the applicable taxes and fees (e.g., the federal segment fee of $5.60 per one-way trip for domestic flights). Proceed to the purchase screen and complete the transaction.
Companion Confirmation: Once the transaction is complete, your Companion will have a confirmed reservation linked to yours. You'll receive a separate confirmation for their ticket.
Adding Your Companion via the Southwest Mobile App
The process on the app is intuitive and mirrors the website:
Navigate to "My Trips."
Select your booked flight.
Look for the "Add Companion" option and follow the prompts.
Adding Your Companion by Phone
If you booked your initial flight by phone, or if you encounter any issues online, you can call Southwest Customer Service (1-800-248-4377) and inform the representative that you wish to add your designated Companion to your existing reservation. Have your confirmation number ready.
Key Point: Your Companion's reservation is tied to yours. If you change or cancel your flight, their reservation will also be affected.
Step 4: Traveling with Your Companion Pass
You've booked, you've added your Companion – now it's time to enjoy the journey!
Check-In
Both Travelers: You and your Companion will need to check in for your flight. You can do this online, via the app, or at the airport.
Boarding Positions: Generally, you and your Companion will receive sequential boarding positions unless you purchased a Business Select fare or added your Companion after you had already been assigned a boarding position. For Business Select, only the purchaser receives the A1-A15 position, and the Companion's position will be based on check-in time, A-List status, or EarlyBird Check-In. If you are A-List or A-List Preferred, both you and your Companion will receive reserved boarding positions.
At the Airport
Identification: Ensure both you and your Companion have valid government-issued identification that matches the names on your reservations.
Boarding: Enjoy boarding together and finding your seats. Remember, Southwest has open seating, so you can sit anywhere available.
Flexibility and Changes
Flight Changes: If you need to change your flight, remember to do it for both your reservation and your Companion's. Since the Companion Pass only covers the airfare, you might be responsible for any increase in taxes/fees for the new flight, though often these are minimal for domestic travel.
Cancellations: If you cancel your flight, your Companion's reservation will also be canceled. You won't get "points" back for the Companion's flight as they didn't earn any.
Important: No Rapid Rewards points nor tier or Companion Pass qualifying points will be awarded for flights taken by the Companion when flying on a Companion Pass reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass
Navigating the nuances of the Companion Pass can bring up a few questions. Here are 10 common "How to" questions with quick answers:
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
You earn the Southwest Companion Pass by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or accumulating 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points within a single calendar year. These points can come from various sources, including Southwest flights, Rapid Rewards credit card spending, and partner activities.
How to change my designated Companion on the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can change your designated Companion up to three times each calendar year. To do so, log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to "My Account," find the Companion Pass section, and follow the instructions to change your Companion. Any existing reservations for the current Companion must be canceled first.
How to book a flight using points with the Southwest Companion Pass?
First, book your flight using your Rapid Rewards points on Southwest.com or the mobile app. Once your reservation is confirmed, go to "My Trips," select your flight, and you will see an option to "Add Companion." You'll then pay the applicable taxes and fees for your Companion.
How to add a Companion to an already existing Southwest reservation?
Log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Navigate to "My Trips" and select the flight you wish to add your Companion to. There will be an "Add Companion" link. Click it, confirm your Companion's details, and pay the required taxes and fees.
How to use the Companion Pass for international flights?
The Southwest Companion Pass works for international flights as well! The process is the same: book your flight first (with cash or points), then add your designated Companion through the "My Trips" section. Be aware that taxes and fees for international flights will be higher than domestic flights.
How to deal with changes or cancellations when using the Companion Pass?
If you need to change your flight, you'll need to modify both your reservation and your Companion's. If you cancel your flight, your Companion's reservation will also be canceled. You will not receive any points or monetary value back for the Companion's "free" portion of the ticket.
How to ensure my Companion gets a good boarding position?
For the best chance at sequential boarding positions, book your flight and add your Companion as early as possible. If you or your Companion have A-List or A-List Preferred status, you will receive reserved boarding positions. Purchasing EarlyBird Check-In for your Companion can also help if you're not an elite member.
How to qualify for the Companion Pass with credit card points?
Many Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer significant sign-up bonuses and earning rates that count towards the 135,000 qualifying points needed for the Companion Pass. Strategically timing your credit card applications and spending can often get you to the qualifying threshold quicker.
How to know if my Companion Pass is still valid?
Your Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire next calendar year. You can check the validity period by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and navigating to your "My Account" or Companion Pass section.
How to contact Southwest Airlines for Companion Pass assistance?
For any questions or assistance with your Companion Pass, you can call Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-435-9792 (for general inquiries) or 1-800-248-4377 (for booking a Companion Pass flight with a representative).
