Unlocking Free Flights for Your Favorite Travel Buddy: Your Definitive Guide to the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass
Ever dreamt of exploring new cities or revisiting cherished destinations, but wished you could bring a loved one along without doubling your airfare costs? What if I told you there's a way to make that dream a reality, potentially for nearly two years? The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is widely regarded as one of the most valuable perks in the travel world, allowing you to bring a designated companion on unlimited Southwest flights for just the cost of taxes and fees. Intrigued? Let's dive in and unlock this incredible travel hack together!
The Unrivaled Power of the Southwest Companion Pass
Imagine this: You book a flight to Hawaii, the Caribbean, or across the country, and your travel buddy flies with you for as little as $5.60 one-way. That's the magic of the Southwest Companion Pass. It essentially grants you an unlimited buy-one-get-one-free deal on every single Southwest flight you take, whether you pay with cash or Rapid Rewards points. This isn't just a minor discount; for frequent travelers, it can translate into thousands of dollars in savings annually.
Step 1: Understand the Earning Requirements - The Two Paths to Companion Pass Glory
First things first, let's understand what it takes to earn this coveted pass. You have two primary ways to qualify within a single calendar year:
Sub-heading: Path A: The Frequent Flyer's Journey (100 Qualifying Flights)
Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights on Southwest Airlines within a calendar year. While this path is certainly achievable for dedicated business travelers or those with extremely high flight volume, for most leisure travelers, it's a significant undertaking. Qualifying flights are those paid for entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards, flight credits, or Cash + Points (with points earned on the dollar portion for flights completed after January 1, 2025).
Sub-heading: Path B: The Points Power Play (135,000 Qualifying Points)
Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards Companion Pass qualifying points within a calendar year. This is generally the most accessible and popular method for earning the Companion Pass. The beauty of this path lies in the variety of ways you can accumulate these points, especially through credit card welcome offers and everyday spending.
What Counts Towards Companion Pass Qualifying Points:
Revenue flights booked through Southwest: Points earned from flights you actually pay for with money.
Points earned on Rapid Rewards Credit Cards: This is the big one! Points earned from credit card sign-up bonuses, ongoing spending, and anniversary bonuses are the fastest way to hit your target.
Base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners: This includes shopping through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal, booking hotels, and renting cars through Southwest partners.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmember Annual Boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you'll receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year. This is a fantastic head start!
What DOESN'T Count Towards Companion Pass Qualifying Points:
Purchased points
Points transferred between Members
Points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest do count when transferred, but direct hotel/car loyalty points do not)
Points from e-Rewards, Valued Opinions, and Diners Club
Points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment
Tier bonus points (A-List/A-List Preferred bonuses)
Flight bonus points
Points earned by a Companion when flying on a Companion Pass reservation
Step 2: Strategize Your Point Accumulation - The Credit Card Advantage
For most individuals, the fastest and most efficient way to earn 135,000 qualifying points is through a strategic combination of Southwest Airlines co-branded credit cards.
Sub-heading: Understanding Southwest Credit Cards
Chase issues Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. There are typically several personal and business card options, each with varying annual fees and bonus offers. It's crucial to understand Chase's "5/24 rule," which generally limits new card approvals if you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months.
Key Personal Southwest Credit Cards (Offers and benefits can vary):
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Often has a lower annual fee and a solid sign-up bonus.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Mid-tier annual fee, typically offers more bonus points on anniversary and potentially other travel perks.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The highest-tier personal card with the highest annual fee, but often includes benefits like annual travel credits, upgraded boardings, and more anniversary points.
Key Business Southwest Credit Cards (Offers and benefits can vary):
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Sub-heading: The Two-Card Strategy: Your Fastest Route
The most common and effective strategy involves opening two Southwest credit cards. Since Chase generally only allows you to hold one personal Southwest card at a time (and/or receive a welcome offer on a personal card if you've received one in the last 24 months), the ideal pairing is often:
One Southwest Personal Credit Card
One Southwest Business Credit Card
The welcome bonuses on these cards, combined with the spending required to meet those bonuses, often get you very close, if not over, the 135,000-point threshold.
Example Scenario (illustrative, offers vary): Let's say a personal card offers 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in 3 months, and a business card offers 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in 3 months.
50,000 (Personal Card Bonus) + 1,000 (Personal Card Spend) = 51,000 points
80,000 (Business Card Bonus) + 5,000 (Business Card Spend) = 85,000 points
Total = 136,000 points!
Voila! You've met the 135,000-point requirement. Don't forget that annual 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost you get as a Cardmember, which makes it even easier!
Sub-heading: Timing is Everything (Seriously!)
This is arguably the most crucial aspect of maximizing the Companion Pass. The pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire next calendar year.
Aim to earn the pass early in the calendar year. If you earn it in January 2026, it will be valid for all of 2026 AND all of 2027. That's nearly two full years of BOGO flights!
If you earn it late in the year (e.g., December 2026), it will only be valid for the remainder of December 2026 and all of 2027. While still valuable, you miss out on almost a full year compared to earning it early.
Tip: Plan your credit card applications so that the points from your welcome bonuses post to your Rapid Rewards account in the calendar year you want to qualify. Points usually post to your account after your billing statement closes. So, if you hit a spending requirement in late December, those points might not post until your January statement, counting towards the new calendar year's qualification.
Step 3: Activating Your Companion Pass - Bring on the Travel!
Once you've met the qualifying criteria, Southwest will typically notify you via email.
Sub-heading: Designating Your Companion
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
Navigate to your "My Account" section.
Look for a section titled "Choose Your Companion" or similar.
Click the link to "Enter Companion Info" and follow the instructions.
Carefully enter your chosen companion's full name, gender, and date of birth exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID. This is critical for smooth travel.
Sub-heading: Using Your Companion Pass
Book your flight first: Always book your own Southwest flight (with cash or points) before adding your companion.
Add your companion: After your flight is booked, go to your "My Trips" section on Southwest.com or the Southwest app.
Locate your upcoming flight and click the "Add Companion" link.
Review the pre-filled companion information.
Pay the taxes and fees: You'll only be responsible for the minimal taxes and fees for your companion's ticket (typically $5.60 one-way for domestic flights).
Confirm the booking: Your companion will receive a separate confirmation number.
Important Note: You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year that you hold the Companion Pass. Any existing reservations with your current companion must be canceled before you can change your designated companion.
The Value Proposition: Is the Southwest Companion Pass Worth It?
Absolutely! For anyone who travels with a partner, family member, or friend even a few times a year, the Southwest Companion Pass offers unparalleled value. Think about it: every single flight you take, a second person flies for virtually free. This dramatically cuts down your travel costs, allowing you to travel more often, explore farther, or simply save a substantial amount of money.
Southwest's extensive domestic network, including popular destinations like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, combined with their customer-friendly policies (two free checked bags, no change fees), makes the Companion Pass an unbeatable perk for many.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, with quick answers:
How to Qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
You qualify by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points within a calendar year.
How to Use the Southwest Companion Pass Once Earned?
First, book your own flight (cash or points). Then, go to "My Trips" on Southwest.com, find your flight, and click "Add Companion." Enter their details and pay the taxes/fees.
How to Maximize the Duration of the Southwest Companion Pass?
Earn it as early as possible in a calendar year. If you qualify in January, it's valid for the remainder of that year and the entire next calendar year, giving you nearly two full years of benefits.
How to Change Your Designated Companion?
You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year. You must cancel any existing reservations with your current companion before making a change. This can be done online via your "My Account" section.
How to Know Which Points Count Towards the Companion Pass?
Points earned from Southwest flights, Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (including welcome bonuses and spending), and base points from Rapid Rewards partners count. Purchased points, transferred points (unless from Chase Ultimate Rewards), and bonus points from promotions often do not count.
How to Apply for Southwest Credit Cards to Earn the Pass?
Visit Chase's website or Southwest's credit card page to explore the current offers. Consider applying for one personal and one business card, ensuring you meet the welcome bonus spending requirements in the same calendar year.
How to Book a Flight for Your Companion?
After booking your own flight, simply go to your reservation online or in the app, click the "Add Companion" link, and follow the prompts to add your designated companion.
How to Determine the Value of Southwest Rapid Rewards Points?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points typically have a value of about 1.3 to 1.4 cents per point when redeemed for flights. The exact value can vary slightly based on the fare class and dynamic pricing.
How to Get the Companion Pass with Just One Credit Card?
While less common, some special promotional offers do allow you to earn the Companion Pass with a single credit card welcome bonus. Keep an eye out for these limited-time opportunities.
How to Ensure Your Points Post in the Correct Calendar Year?
Plan your credit card spending so that the points from your welcome bonuses are earned and post to your Rapid Rewards account before December 31st of the qualification year. Points usually post after your credit card statement closes.
