How to Get Southwest Companion Pass: Your Ultimate Guide

Imagine jetting off on a dream vacation, bringing your best friend or loved one along, and only paying for their taxes and fees. Sound too good to be true? It’s not! The Southwest Companion Pass is arguably the most valuable perk in the travel rewards world, allowing you to designate one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) for the entire year you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year. Think of all the adventures you could share, the memories you could make, and the money you could save!

Earning the Companion Pass isn’t a secret, but it does require a strategic approach. Understanding the ins and outs of qualifying flights, spending, and credit card bonuses is crucial to maximizing your efforts and achieving this coveted status. With careful planning and a bit of dedication, you can unlock a world of affordable travel for you and your favorite companion.

What are the quickest and most effective ways to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?

What are the quickest ways to earn the 135,000 points?

The fastest way to earn the 135,000 qualifying points needed for the Southwest Companion Pass is by strategically leveraging Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card welcome bonuses. By applying for and meeting the minimum spending requirements on one or more of these cards, you can quickly accumulate a significant portion, if not all, of the necessary points.

Southwest frequently offers limited-time promotions with increased welcome bonus offers on their credit cards. Paying close attention to these offers can drastically accelerate your path to earning the Companion Pass. For example, you might see an offer to earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Combining a deal like this with everyday spending and perhaps one larger purchase can get you most of the way there.

Another strategy is to combine credit card spending with other point-earning activities. This could include shopping through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, dining at participating restaurants, or booking hotels and rental cars through Southwest’s partners. While these methods alone won’t get you to 135,000 points quickly, they can supplement your credit card earnings and help you reach your goal faster. Remember that points earned from credit card spending and partner bonuses typically count towards the Companion Pass, while purchased points do not.

How does having the Southwest credit card affect earning the pass?

Having a Southwest credit card significantly accelerates your path to earning the Companion Pass because points earned through spending on the card, including welcome bonuses and everyday purchases, count toward the 135,000 qualifying points needed within a calendar year.

Southwest credit cards offer a considerable advantage due to lucrative welcome bonuses. Often, these bonuses alone can contribute a substantial portion, sometimes even all, of the points needed for the Companion Pass. Furthermore, everyday spending on the card – whether it’s groceries, gas, or dining – adds to your qualifying points balance. This means you’re not solely relying on flights to accrue points, making it easier and faster to reach the 135,000 point threshold. The strategic use of Southwest credit cards is a cornerstone of many Companion Pass strategies. By timing your credit card application to maximize bonus earnings at the beginning of a calendar year, and focusing your spending on the card to rack up points, you can drastically reduce the time it takes to qualify. This allows you to enjoy nearly two full years of Companion Pass benefits, as the pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it, plus the entire following year.

Is it better to earn the points through flights or credit card spending?

Generally, earning qualifying points through flights is the more valuable and often more strategic approach to obtaining the Southwest Companion Pass, though a combination of both is ideal. While credit card spending can provide a quick boost, maximizing your Rapid Rewards points earned from flights, particularly when strategically combined with promotional offers and fare sales, tends to yield a higher return and allows you to naturally accumulate points through travel you would likely undertake anyway.

Earning points through flying offers the potential for leveraging Southwest’s frequent promotions, such as double or triple points for specific routes or travel periods. These promotions can significantly accelerate your progress toward the 135,000 qualifying points needed for the Companion Pass. Furthermore, flying allows you to also earn tier qualifying points (TQPs) which count towards A-List and A-List Preferred status, providing additional benefits like priority boarding and bonus points. While credit card spending is straightforward, it typically earns points at a lower rate per dollar spent than flying, especially when promotional multipliers are factored in. Ultimately, the most efficient strategy often involves a blend of both methods. Prioritize earning points through flights whenever possible, especially during promotional periods. Then, use Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card spending to supplement your flight earnings and close any remaining gap to reach the 135,000 qualifying points threshold. Consider strategically timing large purchases with your credit card to coincide with when you need the extra boost. Remember that points earned from credit card welcome bonuses *do* count towards the Companion Pass, making strategically opening a Southwest credit card a powerful first step.

What happens if I earn the points early in the year?

If you earn the Southwest Companion Pass early in the year, its validity extends for the remainder of that calendar year *and* the entire following calendar year. This means you could potentially enjoy nearly two full years of Companion Pass benefits, maximizing its value.

For example, if you earn the 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in January 2024, your Companion Pass will be valid from the moment you earn it until December 31, 2025. This nearly 24-month window allows you to use the pass extensively for travel, making it significantly more rewarding than if you earned it later in the year. Strategically planning your spending and travel to achieve the Companion Pass early is a common and effective tactic among frequent Southwest flyers.

Therefore, many people plan to open a Southwest credit card at the end of the year and meet the spending requirement in January. That way, when the statement closes in early January, the points will count for the new year and you’ll earn the companion pass for the rest of that year and all of the next year. This is the key strategy for maximizing the value of the companion pass.

Can I extend the Companion Pass beyond the expiration date?

No, you cannot directly extend the Southwest Companion Pass beyond its expiration date. The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earned it, plus the entire following calendar year. To continue enjoying the benefits of the Companion Pass, you must re-qualify by meeting the earning requirements again.

To earn a new Companion Pass, you generally have two options: earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Qualifying points include Rapid Rewards points earned from Southwest flights, Rapid Rewards partners (hotels, rental cars, etc.), and points earned on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. Keep in mind that purchased points or points transferred from other loyalty programs do not count toward Companion Pass qualification. Timing your earning strategy to occur early in the year will maximize the validity of your new Companion Pass, giving you nearly two full years of travel benefits. While you can’t extend an existing Companion Pass, careful planning and strategic point accumulation can help you consistently requalify year after year. Consider focusing your spending on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards and maximizing your points earned through Southwest partners. This will give you the best chance to keep the Companion Pass in your wallet for the long haul.

Are there any hidden fees or catches I should be aware of?

While the Southwest Companion Pass itself doesn’t have inherent hidden fees, there are a few potential “catches” to be aware of. The primary one is the continued effort required to maintain it. You need to requalify each calendar year unless you earn it relatively late in the year, which gives you almost two full years. Furthermore, while your companion flies free, you are still responsible for paying their taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 each way for domestic flights. Finally, strategically using your Companion Pass to maximize its value requires planning and flexibility with your travel dates and destinations.

While the Companion Pass itself isn’t loaded with hidden costs, understanding the associated expenses is crucial. The most significant ongoing cost is, of course, the taxes and fees for your companion’s flight. Although relatively small, they add up over multiple trips. Also consider opportunity cost. Sometimes, transferring credit card points to other airlines or using them for hotels might provide better overall value, depending on your travel needs and the specific flight prices. Earning the Companion Pass usually involves significant spending on Southwest credit cards, and if you’re carrying a balance and accruing interest, the interest fees could negate the benefits of the pass. Finally, remember that Southwest’s flight availability and pricing are dynamic. While the Companion Pass lets your companion fly “free” (minus taxes/fees) on any flight you’re booked on that has a seat available, the underlying cost of *your* flight can fluctuate. During peak travel times, fares might be higher, potentially diminishing the overall savings. Be sure to compare Southwest’s fares with other airlines before booking to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal, even with the Companion Pass benefit factored in.

Can bonus points from referrals count towards the Companion Pass?

Yes, bonus points earned through the Southwest Rapid Rewards referral program *do* count towards earning the Companion Pass, making it a valuable strategy to accelerate your progress.

The Southwest Companion Pass requires earning 135,000 qualifying points or taking 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Points earned from Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonuses, spending, purchases made through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, and base points from Southwest flights also count. Since referral bonuses are awarded as Rapid Rewards points, they directly contribute to this threshold, meaning successful referrals can significantly shorten the time it takes to achieve Companion Pass status.

To maximize this strategy, actively promote your referral link to friends and family who are likely to become Southwest Rapid Rewards members. Keep an eye on Southwest promotions, as sometimes they offer increased referral bonuses, further boosting your point accumulation. Remember that the Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which it’s earned, plus the entire following calendar year, so plan your referrals strategically to make the most of this valuable perk.

Alright, friend, that’s the lowdown on snagging that coveted Southwest Companion Pass! It might seem like a bit of a journey, but trust me, the savings (and the memories made traveling with your chosen companion) are totally worth it. Thanks for stopping by, and happy travels! Be sure to swing back around for more tips and tricks on maximizing your points and miles in the future.