It's fantastic that you're looking to leverage the incredible Southwest Companion Pass! It's truly one of the most valuable perks in the travel world, essentially giving you a "buy one, get one free" deal on almost every flight you take. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to book companion fare on Southwest Airlines, ensuring you make the most of this amazing benefit.
Unlocking the Power of the Southwest Companion Pass: Your Ultimate Booking Guide
So, you've earned the coveted Southwest Companion Pass? Congratulations! This isn't just a fancy card; it's your golden ticket to countless adventures with your favorite travel buddy, often for just the cost of taxes and fees. But how exactly do you go about using it? Don't worry, we're here to walk you through every detail, ensuring your companion flies free, every single time.
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| How To Book Companion Fare On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Confirm Your Companion Pass Status & Designate Your Companion (The Crucial First Move!)
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 companion. Have you already done this? If not, let's get it sorted!
Sub-heading: Checking Your Companion Pass Status
Online: Log in to your Rapid Rewards® account on Southwest.com. Once logged in, navigate to "My Account" at the top of the screen. Look for a section related to "My Rapid Rewards" or "Companion Pass." Here, you'll see your Companion Pass status and qualification progress.
Via Email: Southwest often sends an email notification once you've officially earned the Companion Pass. Keep an eye out for this!
Sub-heading: Designating Your Companion
This is a one-time setup (unless you choose to change your companion later). You can only have one designated companion at a time.
Online (Recommended):
Log in to your Rapid Rewards® account at Southwest.com.
On your "Snapshot" tab (which is usually the default view after logging in), you should find a section titled "Choose Your Companion" or similar.
Click on the "Enter Companion info" link.
Carefully enter your designated companion's full legal name as it appears on their government-issued ID, their birthdate, and gender. Double-check for any typos!
Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm and save their details.
By Phone: If you prefer, you can call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-435-9792 to designate your companion. Have their full legal name, birthdate, and gender ready.
Important Note: You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year that you maintain Companion Pass privileges. If you need to change your companion, any existing reservations with your current companion must be canceled before you can designate a new one.
Step 2: Book Your Flight First (You Always Fly Solo, Initially!)
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
This is a common point of confusion for new Companion Pass holders. You must book your own flight first before you can add your companion. You cannot search for "two passengers" and then apply the Companion Pass.
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Flight and Fare
Navigate to Southwest.com: Go to the Southwest Airlines website.
Search for your flight: Enter your departure and arrival cities, dates, and select only one passenger (yourself).
Select your fare: Choose your desired fare type (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select, etc.) and complete your booking. You can pay with cash or Rapid Rewards points. The Companion Pass works with both!
Pro-Tip: While there are no blackout dates for Companion Pass travel, the availability for your companion is tied to whether there's an open seat for sale on your chosen flight. If a flight is completely sold out, you won't be able to add your companion. It's generally best to book your flight and then immediately add your companion to ensure availability.
Step 3: Add Your Companion to Your Booked Flight (The Magic Happens Here!)
Once your flight is confirmed, adding your companion is a straightforward process.
Sub-heading: Adding Your Companion Online
Access "My Trips": Log back into your Rapid Rewards® account on Southwest.com.
Find your flight: Go to the "My Trips" section. Your newly booked flight should appear under "Upcoming Trips."
Locate the "Add Companion" link: Next to your flight details, you'll see an option to "Add Companion." Click on this link.
Confirm Companion Details: The system will display the designated companion's information you set up in Step 1. Verify that this is the correct person you wish to travel with.
Review and Purchase: You will be taken to a screen to review the companion's flight details. The fare will show as $0, but you will be responsible for the applicable taxes and fees, which are typically $5.60 per one-way flight within the U.S. (subject to change and higher for international travel).
Complete the Purchase: Enter your payment information for the taxes and fees and click "Purchase" to finalize the companion's reservation. You will receive a separate confirmation email for your companion's ticket.
Sub-heading: Adding Your Companion By Phone
If you encounter any issues or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Southwest Airlines Customer Relations at 1-800-248-4377 and inform them you wish to use your Companion Pass to add a companion to an existing reservation. Have your confirmation number and your companion's details ready.
Step 4: Traveling with Your Companion (Enjoy the Savings!)
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
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Once both reservations are confirmed, you're all set!
Sub-heading: Boarding with Your Companion
Sequential Boarding: Generally, when you check in for your flight, you and your companion will receive sequential boarding positions.
Exceptions: If you purchased a Business Select® fare or added your companion after you had already been assigned a boarding position (e.g., through EarlyBird Check-In® or A-List/A-List Preferred status), your companion's boarding position may differ. In these cases, only the primary passenger (you) will receive the preferred boarding position, and your companion will receive a boarding position based on when they were added or their own status.
Step 5: What if Plans Change? (Flexibility is Key)
Southwest is known for its flexible policies, and the Companion Pass is no exception.
Sub-heading: Changing or Cancelling Flights with a Companion
Canceling: If you need to cancel your trip, you'll generally need to cancel your flight first, and then your companion's flight. The taxes and fees paid for your companion's ticket will typically be refunded to your original form of payment.
Changing: If you need to change a flight with a companion attached, it can sometimes be easier to cancel both reservations and rebook. While direct changes can be made, it's often smoother to start fresh, especially if you're looking for a different flight entirely. Always ensure there's availability for both you and your companion on the new flight before canceling.
Remember: Only the primary passenger (the Companion Pass holder) earns Rapid Rewards points for the flight. The companion's ticket, being essentially "free" (excluding taxes/fees), does not accrue points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Southwest Companion Pass
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to the Southwest Companion Pass, with quick and clear answers:
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
You earn the Southwest Companion Pass by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points within one calendar year. The easiest way for most people is through a combination of Southwest co-branded credit card welcome bonuses and spending.
How to check your Companion Pass progress?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com and go to "My Account." You'll find a section displaying your current Companion Pass qualifying points or flight segments.
How to change your designated Companion?
You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year. Log in to your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Account," find the "Choose Your Companion" section, and follow the prompts to update their information. Remember to cancel any existing companion reservations before changing.
How to use the Companion Pass for international flights?
The Companion Pass is valid for international flights, but you will pay higher taxes and fees compared to domestic flights. The process of booking your flight and then adding your companion remains the same.
How to know if there's Companion Pass availability on a flight?
There isn't a specific "Companion Pass availability" metric. If a seat is available for purchase (either with cash or points) for a single passenger, then you can add your companion to that flight, assuming you've already booked your own ticket on the same flight.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
How to apply the Companion Pass to an existing reservation (after initial booking)?
After booking your flight, log in to your Rapid Rewards account, go to "My Trips," locate your flight under "Upcoming Trips," and click the "Add Companion" link. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
How to get a refund for Companion Pass taxes and fees if you cancel?
When you cancel a Companion Pass reservation, the taxes and fees you paid for your companion's ticket are typically refunded to your original form of payment.
How to maximize the validity of your Companion Pass?
Aim to earn the Companion Pass early in the calendar year. It's valid for the remainder of the year you earn it plus the entire following calendar year. Earning it in January will give you nearly two full years of benefits.
How to combine Companion Pass with Rapid Rewards points?
Yes, you can absolutely book your own flight using Rapid Rewards points and then add your companion for just the taxes and fees. The Companion Pass works whether you pay for your flight with cash or points.
How to find out what counts towards Companion Pass qualifying points?
Qualifying points come from revenue flights booked through Southwest, points earned on Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (including sign-up bonuses and everyday spending), and base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners (like hotels, car rentals, shopping, and dining). Purchased points or points transferred between members typically do not count towards qualification.
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