Ever dreamt of bringing your favorite travel buddy along on every single flight without paying double the airfare? Well, get ready, because Southwest Airlines' Companion Pass is one of the most legendary perks in the travel world, often dubbed the "holy grail" of airline loyalty programs! It's not just a "buddy pass" in the traditional sense of an employee benefit (though Southwest employees do have incredible travel privileges); it's a special status you earn as a loyal Southwest customer.
Imagine this: You book a flight, whether with cash or Rapid Rewards points, and your designated companion flies with you for virtually free – only paying minimal taxes and fees. This isn't a one-time thing or a limited-use coupon; it's an unlimited benefit for up to two full calendar years! Sounds too good to be true? It's not, but it does require a strategic approach. Let's dive deep into how this incredible benefit works, step-by-step.
How Does Southwest Airlines' Companion Pass Work? A Step-by-Step Guide
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you, free of airline charges (does not include taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way) unlimited times whenever you purchase or redeem points for a flight.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Embark on Your Companion Pass Journey?
Before we even talk about earning, let's get you excited! Think about all the adventures you could have with your chosen companion. Weekend getaways, family visits, dream vacations – all with the significant cost of one airfare essentially eliminated. This isn't just about saving money; it's about unlocking new travel possibilities and creating shared experiences.
Are you a frequent Southwest flyer or planning to become one? Do you have a consistent travel companion? If the answer is yes, then the Companion Pass is absolutely worth pursuing. It's a game-changer for individuals, couples, and even families looking to maximize their travel budget.
Step 2: Understanding the Core Requirement: How to Qualify
Earning the Southwest Companion Pass requires reaching a specific threshold of qualifying activity within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st). There are two primary ways to qualify:
Sub-heading 2.1: Option A: Flying Your Way to the Pass
To qualify through flying, you need to complete:
100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
A "qualifying one-way flight" means a revenue trip on Southwest Airlines from an origin city to a destination city, including any intermediate stops or connections. Reward flights (booked with points) and non-revenue travel (like employee buddy passes) typically do not count towards this qualification.
This method can be quite a challenge for most individuals unless your job involves extensive business travel on Southwest.
Sub-heading 2.2: Option B: Earning Points for the Pass (The Popular Route)
This is by far the most popular and achievable method for most people. You need to earn:
135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
What counts as "qualifying points"? This is where the magic happens and where strategy comes into play:
Points earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest®: This means points you get from paying cash for your Southwest tickets.
Points earned on Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards: This is often the fastest and most efficient way to earn the bulk of the required points. Southwest offers several co-branded credit cards with Chase, and their sign-up bonuses are a significant contributor to the 135,000-point goal. Many successful Companion Pass earners strategically open one or two Southwest credit cards to hit this target.
Base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners: This includes points from hotel stays, rental cars, and purchases made through the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal or Rapid Rewards Dining program.
Important Note on Points: It's crucial to understand that these 135,000 points are not "spent" to get the Companion Pass. They remain in your Rapid Rewards account for you to use on future flights! The Companion Pass is a status you earn by accumulating these points.
Step 3: Timing is Everything: Maximizing Your Pass Validity
This is a critical step for maximizing the value of your Companion Pass. The pass is valid for:
The remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it.
The entire following calendar year.
Sub-heading 3.1: The "Sweet Spot" for Earning
The optimal time to earn the Companion Pass is early in a calendar year, ideally January or February. Why?
If you earn 135,000 points in January 2025, your Companion Pass will be valid for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026. That's almost two full years of free companion travel!
If you earn it in December 2025, you'll only have it for the remainder of December 2025 and all of 2026, which is significantly less time.
Sub-heading 3.2: Strategic Credit Card Applications
Many savvy travelers plan their Southwest credit card applications to align with this timing. They might apply for a card late in one year (e.g., November/December) but delay meeting the minimum spending requirement until January of the next year. This ensures the sign-up bonus points post in the new calendar year, contributing to the Companion Pass for nearly two full years.
Step 4: Designating Your Companion
Once you've qualified, Southwest will notify you, and you'll be able to designate your companion.
Sub-heading 4.1: How to Designate Your Companion Online
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com.
On your "Snapshot" tab or "My Account" section, look for a "Choose Your Companion" or "Designate Companion" link.
Click the link and follow the instructions to enter your companion's information.
Alternatively, you can call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-435-9792 to designate your companion over the phone.
Sub-heading 4.2: Changing Your Companion
Southwest allows you to change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year that you hold Companion Pass privileges.
To change your companion, log in to your account on Southwest.com or the Southwest app.
Any existing reservations with your current companion must be canceled before you can designate a new one.
You can typically book travel with your new companion the same day you make the change.
Step 5: Booking Flights with Your Companion Pass
This is the fun part – actually using your Companion Pass!
Sub-heading 5.1: Booking Your Flight First
You must book your flight first, whether you're paying with cash or Rapid Rewards points.
After your flight is confirmed, you'll then add your companion to your reservation.
Sub-heading 5.2: Adding Your Companion
After booking your flight, go to the "My Trips" section of your Rapid Rewards account.
Find your upcoming flight and look for an "Add Companion" link.
Click the link, review your companion's information, and proceed to complete their reservation.
You will be responsible for paying the taxes and fees for your companion's ticket, which typically start at $5.60 one-way for domestic flights. International flights will have higher taxes and fees.
If you prefer to book through a Customer Representative, call Southwest at 1-800-248-4377 and inform them you will be using your Companion Pass.
Sub-heading 5.3: Key Considerations for Companion Travel
Seat Availability: Your companion can only fly if there is an available seat for sale on the flight. While it's best to add your companion at the time of your initial booking to ensure availability, it's not strictly required. You can add them later, as long as a seat is still available for purchase.
Boarding: Upon check-in, you and your companion will generally receive sequential boarding positions. However, if you purchased a Business Select fare, only the purchaser receives an A1-A15 boarding position, and the companion's boarding position will be based on standard check-in procedures, A-List/A-List Preferred status, or EarlyBird Check-In®.
Points Earning: Your companion's flight will not earn Rapid Rewards points or count towards A-List status qualification. Only the primary traveler's paid flight (or points redeemed flight) earns points.
Step 6: Maximizing Your Companion Pass
Once you have the Companion Pass, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
Travel Frequently: The more you fly, the more value you get.
Plan Ahead: While you can add a companion close to departure, booking further in advance helps ensure there's an available seat.
Consider International Travel: While international taxes and fees are higher, the savings on the base fare can still be substantial.
Combine with Sales: Look for Southwest's fare sales and promotions to get even greater value when booking your primary ticket.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about the Southwest Companion Pass, with quick answers:
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can earn the Southwest Companion Pass by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points within a single calendar year.
How to use a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card to earn Companion Pass points?
Points earned from purchases on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards directly count towards the 135,000 qualifying points needed for the Companion Pass. Strategic use of sign-up bonuses is a common method.
How to designate or change your Southwest Companion?
You can designate or change your Companion by logging into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com in the "My Account" or "Snapshot" section, or by calling Southwest Customer Service. You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year.
How to book a flight with the Southwest Companion Pass?
First, book your own flight (with cash or points). Then, go to "My Trips" in your Southwest account, find your flight, and click the "Add Companion" link to book their ticket (you'll only pay taxes and fees).
How to ensure my companion gets a seat on the flight?
Your companion can only fly if there is a seat available for purchase on the flight. It's recommended to add your companion immediately after booking your own flight to secure their spot.
How to know how long my Southwest Companion Pass is valid?
The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year.
How to get a promotional Southwest Companion Pass?
Southwest occasionally offers limited-time promotional Companion Passes, often requiring you to register and complete specific flight or spending activities within a shorter timeframe. Keep an eye on Southwest's special offers.
How to know if my Companion Pass travel earns Rapid Rewards points?
No, flights taken by your companion using the Companion Pass do not earn Rapid Rewards points or count towards your A-List or A-List Preferred status qualification.
How to use the Companion Pass for international flights?
The Companion Pass can be used for international flights, but the taxes and fees for your companion will be higher than for domestic flights.
How to understand the difference between a Southwest "buddy pass" and the "Companion Pass"?
While often colloquially called a "buddy pass," the Southwest Companion Pass is a publicly available loyalty program benefit earned by customers. True "buddy passes" are typically non-revenue travel benefits given to airline employees for their friends and family, which operate under different rules (e.g., standby travel).
