How to Earn Southwest Companion Pass: Your Ultimate Guide

Imagine traveling almost anywhere Southwest flies with a loved one, and they fly for almost free. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not! The Southwest Companion Pass is arguably the most valuable perk in the world of travel rewards, offering the cardholder the ability to bring a designated companion on any Southwest flight for just the cost of taxes and fees (typically around $5.60 each way). It unlocks incredible value for families, couples, and anyone who loves to explore, turning one plane ticket into two and opening up a world of affordable adventures.

Earning the Companion Pass can seem daunting at first, but with the right strategy, it’s absolutely achievable. Understanding the qualification requirements and the various methods for accumulating qualifying points is the key to unlocking this fantastic travel benefit. Whether you’re a seasoned points enthusiast or new to the world of travel rewards, understanding how to strategically earn the Southwest Companion Pass can save you thousands of dollars on travel and create lasting memories.

What are the fastest and easiest ways to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?

What are the quickest ways to earn the Companion Pass?

The quickest way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass is to strategically leverage credit card spending and promotional offers to accumulate 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. Focusing on maximizing credit card welcome bonuses and spending in categories that earn bonus points is key to rapidly reaching the threshold.

To achieve this efficiently, prioritize applying for and meeting the minimum spending requirements on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, particularly when they offer elevated welcome bonuses. Often, these bonuses contribute significantly to the 135,000-point requirement. Coordinate your application timing to fall near the end of the year, allowing you to earn the points in the current year and then have the Companion Pass valid for the entirety of the *following* year plus the remainder of the year you earned it. For example, earning the pass in December 2024 will give you the pass for all of 2025. Furthermore, keep an eye out for any Southwest promotions that offer bonus Rapid Rewards points on flights, hotel stays, or car rentals. While flying 100 qualifying one-way flights might be feasible for some frequent travelers, for most, the credit card strategy is much faster. Remember that points earned through purchased points or point transfers do *not* qualify towards the Companion Pass. It is also important to track your progress closely to ensure you reach the goal within the calendar year.

Does spending on Southwest credit cards contribute to the Companion Pass?

Yes, spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards absolutely contributes to earning the Companion Pass. The points you earn through purchases on these cards count towards the 135,000 qualifying points needed within a calendar year to achieve Companion Pass status.

The Companion Pass is one of the most valuable perks in the travel industry, allowing you to designate one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight. Earning it typically involves accumulating 135,000 qualifying points or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. Qualifying points are earned through revenue flights booked through Southwest, Rapid Rewards partner spending, and, importantly, spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. Spending on these credit cards can significantly accelerate your path to the Companion Pass. Not only do you earn points for everyday purchases, but Southwest frequently offers lucrative sign-up bonuses on their credit cards that can provide a huge boost towards the required 135,000 points. Keep an eye out for limited-time offers that might offer 50,000, 75,000, or even higher bonus points after meeting a minimum spending requirement. Strategic use of these cards, combined with flying Southwest and utilizing other Rapid Rewards partners, is often the fastest way to unlock this incredible benefit. ```html

How do Rapid Rewards points from partners affect Companion Pass qualification?

Rapid Rewards points earned from Southwest Airlines partners *do* count towards Companion Pass qualification. This includes points earned from hotel stays, car rentals, credit card spending, and purchases made through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, provided they post to your account by the end of the qualification year.

The Companion Pass is earned by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. The key is understanding what constitutes “qualifying” points. While most points from partners count, certain exceptions exist. Notably, purchased points, point transfers from other loyalty programs, and points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment bonuses typically *do not* qualify towards Companion Pass status. Be sure to check the specific terms and conditions of each partner offer to confirm whether the points earned will be considered qualifying.

Maximizing partner opportunities can significantly accelerate your journey to earning a Companion Pass. Strategic use of Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards for everyday spending, booking hotels and rental cars through Southwest’s partners, and utilizing the Rapid Rewards shopping portal for online purchases can all contribute substantially to your qualifying point balance. Actively seeking out promotional offers from Southwest and its partners will also help you reach the 135,000-point threshold more quickly.

What happens if I earn the Companion Pass mid-year?

If you earn the Southwest Companion Pass mid-year, you get to enjoy its benefits for the remainder of that year *and* the entire following calendar year. This means you can potentially maximize the value of the pass by aiming to earn it early in the year to have it for nearly two full years.

The Companion Pass is valid from the date you earn it until December 31st of the following year, regardless of when you qualify. For instance, if you reach the qualifying threshold on July 15th, 2024, your Companion Pass will be valid from July 15th, 2024, through December 31st, 2025. That’s a significant amount of time to travel with your designated companion for just the cost of taxes and fees on their flight. To optimize the Companion Pass, strategically plan your Southwest spending or flying to accumulate the qualifying points or flight segments early in the year. Delaying eligible purchases or flights into January can significantly extend the period your Companion Pass is valid. Remember, the faster you earn it, the longer you can enjoy the perk!

Can I use the Companion Pass for international flights?

Yes, you can absolutely use the Southwest Companion Pass for international flights. Your designated companion can fly with you on any Southwest Airlines flight, including international destinations, for just the cost of taxes and fees (typically a small amount).

The Companion Pass is valid on all Southwest-operated flights, regardless of whether the destination is domestic or international. Southwest currently flies to destinations in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and other international locations. This makes the Companion Pass an incredibly valuable benefit for travelers looking to explore beyond U.S. borders while saving significant money on airfare. When booking an international flight using your Companion Pass, simply book your own flight as you normally would. Then, add your designated companion to your reservation through your Southwest account online, via the Southwest app, or by calling Southwest customer service. You will only be responsible for paying the government taxes and fees associated with your companion’s ticket, which are typically minimal compared to the cost of a full-fare ticket.

How often can I change my Companion Pass designee?

You can change your Companion Pass designee up to three times per calendar year. Any changes made will be effective immediately.

While you have the flexibility to change your designated companion, it’s important to choose wisely initially. Each change counts towards your annual limit of three, regardless of the reason. This policy is in place to prevent abuse of the system and to ensure fair use of the Companion Pass benefits. Think carefully about who you’ll be traveling with most frequently during the year before making your initial designation, and consider any significant changes in your travel plans before swapping companions. Keep in mind that once a change is made, the previous designee is no longer eligible for Companion Pass travel, even if you have changes remaining. To make a change, you’ll typically need to log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account online or contact Southwest customer service. Ensure you have the correct Rapid Rewards number and full name of your new designee to facilitate a smooth and error-free update.

What’s the difference between qualifying points and tier qualifying points?

In the context of earning the Southwest Companion Pass, “qualifying points” and “tier qualifying points” are essentially the same thing; the terms are used interchangeably. They both refer to the points that count towards earning A-List, A-List Preferred, and the Companion Pass.

Southwest Airlines tracks your progress toward elite status and the Companion Pass using these qualifying points. These points are earned primarily through revenue flights booked through Southwest, rapid reward shopping, and certain Southwest credit card spending. While the terms are synonymous, it’s good to remember that not all Rapid Rewards points are “qualifying.” For example, points earned from partner promotions, transferred points, or purchased points do *not* count toward your Companion Pass or A-List status.

To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. It’s important to track your qualifying points balance separately from your overall Rapid Rewards balance to accurately assess your progress towards earning the Companion Pass. Your Southwest account will display your progress toward both elite tier qualification and the Companion Pass.

Well, there you have it! Earning the Southwest Companion Pass takes a bit of planning and effort, but with these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to traveling with your favorite person for almost free. Thanks for reading, and happy travels! Be sure to check back soon for more tips and tricks on maximizing your travel rewards.