From their resistance to basic economy to their longtime rejection of change and cancelation fees, Southwest Airlines just does things differently than the competition – and that's a good thing.
Case in point: the Southwest Companion Pass.
What's the Southwest Companion Pass? Oh, just one of the best deals in the world of travel.
Think of it as an unlimited buy-one, get-one free(ish) flight pass, where a designated friend or family member can travel with you and you're only charged for the taxes and fees on their ticket – nothing for the base fare. That's about as big of a bargain as you'll find in the world of travel.
Other airlines like Delta and Alaska have companion certificates for travelers, but Southwest's pass is the most lucrative by far – and it isn't close. If you typically travel with a companion, the benefits of this pass can be invaluable.
With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to plan out your Companion Pass strategy for the new year and beyond. We'll walk you through how you to earn it, how to best use it, and why you should want the Southwest Companion Pass.
- What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
- How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- Why Now is the Best Time to Work Towards a Companion Pass
- Earning the Companion Pass Through Sign-Up Bonuses
- The Southwest Airlines Credit Card Portfolio
- Earning the Companion Pass Through Flying
- Do Chase Points Transfers Count Towards Companion Pass?
- Other Ways to Earn Miles for the Companion Pass
- How to Use the Southwest Companion Pass
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass lets you choose one person to fly free with you every time you purchase a flight or redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a flight on Southwest. There are no blackout dates and no questions asked. If the flight is bookable, you can use your companion pass.
For every flight booked with the Southwest Companion Pass, you only need to pay taxes and fees ($11.20 roundtrip on domestic flights) for your companion. And that's the case regardless of whether you pay cash for your ticket or book with Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Yes, you can even add a free companion when booking an award ticket using Southwest Rapids Rewards points!
But perhaps the best part of the Southwest Airlines companion pass is there are no limits on how often you can use it. And it's valid for the year you earn it … and the entire following calendar year.
This means if you're able to earn it in January or February of 2024, you could use the Companion Pass all the way through the end of 2025. That's almost two full years of buy one, get one free flights!
Finally, Southwest allows you to change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year. This can be done over the phone with a Southwest customer service agent by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA – or by messaging Southwest on Twitter or Facebook. Just keep in mind that if you have an upcoming trip booked with your current companion, you'll need to complete that trip before making the switch.
How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass
A year (or even two!) of BOGO flights? It's not too good to be true. And while earning the Southwest Companion Pass does require some effort, it's not as bad as you might think for a deal this good.
The pass requires you to earn 135,000 qualifying Southwest Rapid Rewards points … or fly 100 one-way revenue flights in a calendar year.
While 135,000 points might sound like a lot, the points you earn from a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonus and ongoing spending count toward that total.What's more, holding a Southwest co-branded credit card now gives you a head start by automatically awarding you 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points each year.
Why Now is the Best Time to Work Towards a Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass trick? It's all about timing.
When you earn the Southwest Companion Pass, it lasts for the rest of the year in which you earn it and the entire following calendar year. So to squeeze as much as you can out of it, you want to earn it as early as possible in the new year.
With 2024 right around the corner, the time is ripe to get started. We'll lay out a few strategies to earn the Companion Pass shortly. But no matter which path you take, it's important to nail the timing.
Let's say you plan to earn the Southwest Companion Pass through signup bonuses and spending on Southwest credit cards. Opening one of Southwest's personal credit cards now will get you 50,000 Rapid Rewards points. Together with the automatic 10,000-point head start for holding a card, that gets you nearly halfway there. Tack on one of the Southwest business cards early next year and voila … you've got nearly two years of BOGO flights.
The key here is to ensure you don't actually earn those bonus points until the new year. If you unintentionally earn the Southwest points needed to unlock the Companion Pass before the current year ends, you'll only have the pass through the end of 2024.
Time it out to earn all those points in January or February instead, and your Southwest Companion Pass will be valid all the way through 2025!
Earning the Companion Pass Through Sign-Up Bonuses
Make no mistake: This is the easiest way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.
All points earned from the Chase co-branded Southwest Airlines credit cards count towards the 135,000 needed to unlock the Companion Pass. But there's one hitch that complicates things.
Chase only allows you to hold one Southwest personal credit card at a time. This means that if you plan to earn the Companion Pass solely through sign-up bonuses, you'll need to pick up a business card as well.
Not sure if you're eligible for a business card? You just might be.
But if not, you'll have to focus on earning more points from one of the personal credit cards through spending. That's certainly feasible, though not as easy as stacking bonuses from both a personal and business Southwest credit card.
There are also a few caveats to keep in mind with this method.
For starters, if you've earned a sign-up bonus on any of the Southwest personal cards in the previous 24 months, you'll be ineligible to do it again. And of course, all of the Chase co-branded Southwest Airlines credit cards fall under Chase’s 5/24 rule.
This means that if you've opened five or more new credit card accounts (from any bank, not just Chase) within the last 24 months, you will be declined for a new Chase card – regardless of your credit score or history with the bank.
The Southwest Airlines Credit Card Portfolio
The portfolio of Southwest airlines credit cards has something for everybody. In total, there are three different personal credit cards and two business cards. But critically, the sign-up bonuses on all of the personal credit cards are the same.
Deciding which one is right for you will largely come down to the other benefits the card offers – and the annual fee. Here's a breakdown of each card.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Anniversary Bonus: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you will receive 3,000 Rapid Rewards points.
- Get 10,000 bonus points toward earning the Companion Pass: After raising the requirements to earn the Pass this fall, Southwest will deposit 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in your account at the start of each calendar year starting in 2023.
- Earn 2x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar spent on purchases with Southwest Airlines and its hotel and rental car partners.
- Earn 2x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshare like Uber and Lyft. You'll also earn 2x points per dollar spent on internet/cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases.
- Earn 1x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar on all other spending on the card.
- Get 2 Early Bird check-ins each year.
- Chase 5/24 Rule: The card will be subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so you may not be approved for the card depending on how many credit cards you've opened in the last two years.
- Annual Fee: The card has an annual fee of $69, which is not waived for the first year of card membership.
Learn more about the *southwest plus*.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Anniversary Bonus: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you will receive 6,000 Rapid Rewards points.
- Get 10,000 bonus points toward earning the Companion Pass: After raising the requirements to earn the Pass this fall, Southwest will deposit 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in your account at the start of each calendar year starting in 2023.
- Earn 3x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar spent on purchases with Southwest Airlines.
- Earn 2x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshare like Uber and Lyft. You'll also earn 2x points per dollar spent on internet/cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases.
- Earn 1x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar on all other spending on the card.
- Get 2 Early Bird check-ins each year.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Chase 5/24 Rule: The card will be subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so you may not be approved for the card depending on how many credit cards you've opened in the last two years.
- Annual Fee: The card has an annual fee of $99, which is not waived for the first year of card membership.
Learn more about the *southwest premier*.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Anniversary Bonus: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you will receive 7,500 Rapid Rewards points.
- Get 10,000 bonus points toward earning the Companion Pass: After raising the requirements to earn the Pass this fall, Southwest will deposit 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in your account at the start of each calendar year starting in 2023.
- Priority Boarding: Each cardmember anniversary, you will receive four upgraded boarding positions. Simply purchase an upgrade on the day of your travel with the Priority card. You'll receive a boarding number between A1 and A15, and be reimbursed via statement credit within eight weeks.
- Annual Travel Credit: Receive an annual travel credit of $75 to use on Southwest Airlines flights.
- 25% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Receive 25% back via statement credits for in-flight purchases. This can be used for drinks, movies, and purchasing Wi-Fi and messaging.
- Earn 3x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar spent on purchases with Southwest Airlines.
- Earn 2x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshare like Uber and Lyft. You'll also earn 2x points per dollar spent on internet/cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases.
- Earn 1x Rapid Rewards Points per dollar on all other spending on the card.
- Get 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- Unlimited Tier Qualifying Points can be earned towards A-List status each year.
- Chase 5/24 Rule: The card will be subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so you may not be approved for the card depending on how many credit cards you've opened in the last two years.
- Annual Fee: The card has an annual fee of $149, which is not waived for the first year of card membership.
Learn more about the *southwest priority*.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Anniversary Bonus: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you will receive 9,000 Rapid Rewards points.
- Get 10,000 bonus points toward earning the Companion Pass: After raising the requirements to earn the Pass this fall, Southwest will deposit 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in your account at the start of each calendar year starting in 2023.
- Earn 4x Rapid Rewards Points: Per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
- Earn 2x Rapid Rewards Points: Per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services.
- Earn 1x Rapid Rewards Points: Per dollar on all other spending on the card.
- Four upgraded boardings per year (when available).
- Up to a $100 statement credit every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
- Up to 365 Inflight WiFi Credits each year.
- Chase 5/24 Rule: The card will be subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so you may not be approved for the card depending on how many credit cards you've opened in the last two years.
- Annual Fee: The card has an annual fee of $199, which is not waived for the first year of card membership.
Learn more about the *southwest performance biz*.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Anniversary Bonus: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you will receive 6,000 Rapid Rewards points.
- Get 10,000 bonus points toward earning the Companion Pass: After raising the requirements to earn the Pass this fall, Southwest will deposit 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in your account at the start of each calendar year starting in 2023.
- Earn 3x Rapid Rewards Points: Per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.
- Earn 1x Rapid Rewards Points: Per dollar on all other spending on the card.
- Chase 5/24 Rule: The card will be subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so you may not be approved for the card depending on how many credit cards you've opened in the last two years.
- Annual Fee: The card has an annual fee of $99, which is not waived for the first year of card membership.
Learn more about the *southwest premier biz*.
Earning the Companion Pass Through Flying
Frequent Southwest flyers can also earn the Companion Pass by flying 100 one-way revenue flights in a single calendar year. Regardless of how many Rapid Rewards points you earn on these flights, hitting that 100-flight threshold will unlock the Companion Pass.
For example, a paid, round-trip flight with a connection each way counts as two total segments toward the Companion Pass – the same as a roundtrip, nonstop fare.
This certainly isn't the easiest way to earn your Companion Pass, but it's still an option for Southwest Airlines road warriors. At the very least, you can combine the points earned from flying, with a single credit card sign-up bonus to get the Companion Pass quicker.
Do Chase Points Transfers Count Towards Companion Pass?
Southwest credit cards aren't the only way to pile up Southwest Rapid Rewards points fast.
You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Southwest account from cards like the *chase sapphire preferred* and the *chase sapphire reserve*. These points transfer on a 1:1 basis, so every 1,000 Chase points will net you 1,000 Southwest points.
Unfortunately, these transfers won't count toward the 135,000 points needed to earn the Companion Pass.
But that doesn't mean these transfers are useless. Once you've earned your pass, you can transfer Chase points to Southwest to book a flight, then add your companion for only the cost of the taxes and fees. This is a big reason why we always recommend pairing a Southwest Credit card with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards.
Read more: A Master Guide to Earning & Burning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Other Ways to Earn Miles for the Companion Pass
Though credit card sign-up bonuses are the easiest way to get to the required 135,000 miles needed to earn the companion pass, there are a few other points-earning methods that will count towards earning it.
For starters, any miles earned from referrals of any of the Southwest credit cards mentioned above will count towards the 135,000 points needed to earn the pass. Seeing as you can earn up to 10,000 miles for reach referral (capped at 55,000 each year), these can add up quickly.
Additionally, both the Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal, and Rapid Rewards Dining Portal will count towards your 135,000 point total.
We are a huge fan of shopping and dining portals as they allow you to earn additional points and miles for spending you are going to do anyhow.
You can also earn companion pass eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards points by booking hotels through Southwest Hotels. Generally speaking, you will earn one Southwest point per dollar you spend on hotels. But you can also find bonuses like the one pictured below.
Finally, you can even earn companion pass eligible miles by renting a car through one of the Southwest Rapid Rewards rental car partners.
If you are only a few thousand points short of earning your Southwest Companion Pass, any of these methods can be a great option to get you over the 135,000 point threshold.
How to Use the Southwest Companion Pass
Most airlines limit how you can use a companion certificate – how often you can use it, where you can fly. Southwest isn't like that.
The Southwest Companion Pass is eligible for unlimited flights – both domestic and international. And while Southwest doesn't have a huge international route network, you can use it to fly you and your companion all over the U.S., Mexico, the Carribean, and even the airline's flights to (and within) Hawaii.
Compare that with an airline like Delta, which limits companion certificates to one use – within the continental U.S. – and it's clear just how valuable this pass can be.
Whether you are paying cash or using Southwest points to book your ticket, use the Southwest Low Fare calendar to find the best deal. Once you book, you can simply add your companion for just the price of taxes and fees. And you can do it an unlimited number of times each year you hold the pass.
If you pay cash for your ticket, you'll only earn points for your flight. Your companion isn't eligible to earn Rapid Rewards for their ticket.
Thrifty Tip: Check out Southwest's Route Search Tool here to see everywhere the airline flies.
Designating Your Companion
First things first: You'll need to pick your favorite travel buddy to join you for nearly free flights.
To do so, you'll want to log into your Southwest Rapids Rewards account and look for the option to choose your companion. From there, just enter your companion's information and you're all set.
Remember: You can change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year. To do so, just give Southwest a call at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA- or try messaging Southwest on Twitter or Facebook.
Adding Your Companion to Your Flight
To add your (nearly) free companion, you'll need to first book your own flight. After you're booked, head into your Southwest account and find your reservation.
Under “My upcoming trips,” you should see the option to “Add Companion” for your new flight. This will ensure that your travel buddy is added to the itinerary and gets to come along with you.
Bottom Line
There really is no better deal in the world of travel than the Southwest Companion Pass – and now's the time to go for it. Earning it at the beginning of a year will give you and your travel buddy nearly two full years of buy one, get one free(ish) travel.