Why You Want the Southwest Companion Pass

If you’re trying to travel more on a budget, and always seem to be traveling with someone (a child, a friend, a spouse) you need to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. This pass is often called the holy grail of travel rewards—and for good reason – it allows a companion to travel for free for nearly two years!.

In this post, I will cover how to earn the Southwest Companion Pass and why is it so valuable, especially for families.

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to bring one person with you for free (plus taxes and fees) every time you fly Southwest. So what does that mean? Every time I fly Southwest, my son flies for free.

And here’s why this is better than other airlines, you can use points to book the flight. My flight to Maui is 25,000 points, I pay the 25,000 points and $5.60. I add my son as the companion, and I pay his $5.60 fee. So that means for 25,000 points and $11.60, the two of us flew to Maui!

Whether you pay for your flight with cash or points, your companion flies for only the cost of taxes and fees (typically $5.60 one-way in the U.S.).

Once you earn the pass, it’s valid for the rest of the year you earn it plus the entire following calendar year. That means if you earn it in early 2025, you’ll have it through December 31, 2026!

Why the Southwest Companion Pass is the Ultimate Travel Deal

My husband and I have had the Southwest Companion Pass for three years, and it has completely transformed the way our family travels. Our older son flies as my companion, and our younger son flies with my husband as his companion. That means every time we book a trip, our kids fly nearly free, paying only the minimal taxes and fees.

This setup has saved us thousands of dollars and made flying with a family far more accessible. If you’re a parent hoping to stretch your travel budget, this is a must-have benefit—even if you only travel a couple times a year.

Let’s do the math. If you fly just three round-trips a year, and bring a companion, that’s easily $1,000 in savings (honestly, it is probably more depending on your travel destinations). Here’s why the pass is perfect for budget-conscious travelers:

• BOGO flights — buy one flight (with points or cash) and add a companions for just the taxes and fees
• Use your points — if you earned the Companion Pass through credit card point sign ups, you will have a minimum of 135,000 points to use for flights
• Unlimited use — there’s no cap on how many times you can use it
• Great for families and couples — Travel with a spouse, child, friend, or anyone you designate as your companion – you can change your companion three times per year.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to do one of two things within a calendar year:

1. Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights (this is unrealistic for most people) OR
2. Earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points

For most people, option #2 is the easiest—especially when you factor in credit card sign-up bonuses. Unless you travel for business, number one is not really feasible.

Step-by-Step: Earning with Credit Cards

This is the typical method, but there is an elevated bonus on the Southwest Credit Cards right now, so you may want to shift your strategy. You can read about that strategy here.

1. Apply for two Southwest credit cards: One personal and one business card. Popular options include:
   • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus (Personal)
   • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business (Business)
     • You CANNOT apply for two personal Southwest cards and yes, you are probably eligible for a business card (click here to read about how you are probably eligible for a business credit card even if you don’t think you are). Keep reading!
2. Meet the minimum spend requirements: Each card usually offers a bonus between 50,000 and 80,000 points after spending a certain amount (e.g., $3,000 in 3 months).
3. Time it right: Open the cards and meet the spending early in the year so you earn the Companion Pass early and get nearly two full years of use.

Pro Tip: Business cards are easier to get than you think. If you sell on Facebook marketplace, tutor on the side, or do any kind of freelance work, you likely qualify as a sole proprietor. This is exactly how I qualified the first time! Click here to learn about applying for business credit cards.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• You get 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points for having their credit card
• You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year.
• The pass doesn’t cover your companion’s taxes and fees (but they’re minimal – $5.60 on domestic flights)
• You MUST earn all 135,000 qualifying points in a single calendar year—January 1 through December 31. Timing matters. For example, if you open a Southwest credit card in November and earn a 75,000-point sign-up bonus, but those points post in December, you only have until the end of that year to earn the remaining points. That’s a short window! So I recommend making sure your sign up bonus hits in January.
• To maximize your time with the Companion Pass, aim to hit your minimum spend early in the year, ideally in January or February. This way, the points post in the same calendar year and your Companion Pass is valid for the rest of that year plus the entire following year.

Have a Question About the Southwest Companion Pass?

You can leave a comment below or you can fill out a credit card consultation form, and I can help you decide if the Southwest Companion Pass is right for you! And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for real-time tips, travel inspiration, and insights I don’t always share on the blog.

Not sure if the Southwest Companion Pass is right for you? Click the free credit card consult below and I can help you decide!