The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is widely considered one of the best deals in travel, and for good reason! It essentially allows one designated person to fly with you for free on unlimited flights (you just pay taxes and fees, which typically start at $5.60 one-way). Imagine the savings on all your adventures!
But how exactly do you go about booking a flight with this incredible perk? Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to ensure you maximize your Companion Pass.
Your Journey to Free Flights: Booking with the Southwest Companion Pass
Step 1: Are You Ready for Liftoff? Confirm Your Companion Pass Status!
Before we even think about booking, the absolute first thing you need to do is confirm you have an active Southwest Companion Pass and have designated your companion. Without this crucial step, you won't be able to proceed.
Have you earned your Companion Pass yet? You'll qualify by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. Many people achieve this through a combination of credit card welcome bonuses and spending.
Is your Companion Pass active? Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. On your Snapshot tab or My Account section, you should see a clear indication of your Companion Pass status and its expiration date.
Have you designated your companion? This is vital! You must designate a companion before you can book them a flight. If you haven't, you'll see an option like "Choose Your Companion" or "Enter Companion Info." You'll need their legal name (as it appears on their ID), birthdate, gender, street address, email, and phone number. Remember, you can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Once you've confirmed your Companion Pass is active and your companion is designated, you're ready for the exciting part!
Step 2: Book Your Own Flight First – The Golden Rule!
This is perhaps the most important rule of booking with the Companion Pass: You, the Companion Pass holder, must book your flight first. You cannot book your companion's flight at the same time as your own, nor can you book your companion's flight without a pre-existing reservation for yourself.
2.1: Finding Your Perfect Flight
Log In to Your Rapid Rewards Account: Always start by logging in to your Southwest.com account. This ensures your Companion Pass benefit is recognized.
Search for Your Flight: Use the standard flight search tool on Southwest.com. Enter your desired departure and arrival airports, dates, and select only 1 passenger (for yourself).
Consider Availability: While there are no blackout dates for Companion Pass travel, there must be an available seat on the flight for your companion. If a flight is completely sold out, you won't be able to add your companion to it. It's often a good idea to check flight availability for two people initially to gauge if your desired flight is likely to have space.
Choose Your Fare: Select your desired fare type (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select). You can book with cash or Rapid Rewards points. The Companion Pass works whether you pay cash or redeem points for your flight.
Complete Your Booking: Proceed through the booking process, confirm your details, and complete the purchase for your ticket. You will receive a confirmation email for your flight.
Step 3: Add Your Companion – The Magic Happens Here!
Once your flight is booked and confirmed, it's time to add your companion. It's generally recommended to do this as soon as possible after booking your own flight to ensure availability, especially on popular routes or during peak travel times.
3.1: Navigating to Your Trip
Go to "My Trips": After you've booked your flight, navigate to the "My Trips" section of your Southwest account. You'll find this typically at the top of the page.
Locate Your Upcoming Trip: Find the flight you just booked in your "Upcoming Trips" section.
3.2: The "Add Companion" Link
Find the Link: For eligible flights, you will see an "Add Companion" link associated with your reservation. This is where the Companion Pass truly shines!
Click and Confirm: Click on the "Add Companion" link. You'll be presented with your designated companion's information. Carefully review all the details to ensure they are correct and match your companion's government-issued ID.
Proceed to Purchase: Click "Continue" or "Proceed to Purchase." The system will show you the cost for your companion, which will be only the required taxes and fees (typically $5.60 one-way for domestic flights).
Complete Companion Booking: Enter your payment information for the taxes and fees and click "Purchase" to finalize your companion's reservation.
3.3: Confirmation and Separate PNRs
Separate Confirmation Number: Your companion will receive a separate confirmation number for their flight. This is normal and expected. Keep both confirmation numbers handy for check-in.
Boarding Positions: While you'll both be on the same flight, your boarding positions might differ. If you have A-List status or purchased Business Select, your companion will receive a boarding position based on check-in time or their own status, unless you both have A-List/A-List Preferred status and are on the same reservation, in which case you will both receive reserved boarding positions.
Step 4: Managing Changes and Cancellations with a Companion Pass
Life happens, and sometimes plans change. Here's how to navigate modifications with a Companion Pass booking:
4.1: Changing a Flight
Cancel Companion First: If you need to change your flight, you must first cancel your linked companion's flight. You cannot change a flight directly with a companion attached.
Change Your Flight: Once your companion's booking is canceled, you can then proceed to change your flight to the new date/time/destination. Southwest doesn't charge change fees, but you might pay a fare difference.
Rebook Companion: After your flight is confirmed, immediately rebook your companion's flight following the steps in "Step 3: Add Your Companion." Remember, a seat must be available for your companion on the new flight.
4.2: Cancelling a Flight
Cancel Companion First: Similar to changing, if you're canceling entirely, cancel your companion's flight first.
Cancel Your Flight: Then, cancel your own flight. Depending on your fare type, you'll receive a refund to your original payment method or a flight credit.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Travels!
That's it! With your Companion Pass and companion booked, you're all set to enjoy your trip. Remember to check in for your flight (and your companion's flight) at the 24-hour mark to get the best possible boarding positions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Southwest Companion Pass
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about the Southwest Companion Pass with quick answers:
How to Qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass? You qualify by either earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards qualifying points or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. Credit card welcome bonuses and spending are popular ways to earn points.
How to Designate My Companion for the Southwest Companion Pass? Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to "My Account" or the "Snapshot" tab, and look for the "Choose Your Companion" or "Enter Companion Info" link to provide their details.
How to Book a Flight for Myself When I Have a Companion Pass? Simply book your flight as usual on Southwest.com (or via the app) for one person. There's no special selection for the Companion Pass at this initial booking stage.
How to Add My Companion to an Existing Southwest Reservation? After booking your own flight, log in to your Southwest account, go to "My Trips," find your upcoming flight, and click the "Add Companion" link.
How to Change My Designated Companion on Southwest? You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year. Log in to your Southwest account, go to "My Account," and find the option to manage your companion. Any existing bookings for the current companion must be canceled first.
How to Know if a Flight Has Space for My Companion? While you won't see a specific "Companion Pass" availability indicator, if a flight has at least two seats available for purchase (one for you, one for your companion), then your companion should be able to be added. If it's nearly sold out, it might be tight.
How to Use the Companion Pass if I Book My Flight with Points? The Companion Pass works identically whether you pay for your own flight with cash or Rapid Rewards points. Your companion will still only pay the taxes and fees.
How to Handle Changes to a Flight Booked with a Companion Pass? First, cancel your companion's reservation. Then, change your own flight. Once your flight is rebooked, re-add your companion to the new flight, provided there's availability.
How to Get My Companion's Boarding Position? Your companion's boarding position is typically assigned when they check in (24 hours before the flight) or based on their own A-List status. It may not be sequential to yours unless both you and your companion are A-List/A-List Preferred and on the same reservation.
How to Confirm My Companion Pass is Active and Valid? Log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your Companion Pass status, expiration date, and current designated companion will be displayed under "My Account" or "Snapshot."
