What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is a standout travel perk that lets you bring a companion along for free (except taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight, effectively turning your flight bookings into buy-one-get-one-free deals. This pass is valid for the rest of the year it’s earned and the entire following year, which means strategic timing can stretch your benefit up to nearly two full years of free companion flights. Plus, if a companion change is needed, the pass allows up to three swaps per year. With Southwest serving over 100 destinations across the U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean, the possibilities for affordable travel are almost endless.
Why Companion Pass Season Matters
Earning the Companion Pass requires planning, and the last few months of the year mark the start of what many call "Companion Pass season." Starting your strategy now positions you to hit the requirements by early January, unlocking the pass for the maximum duration—through 2025. There’s no limit to how many times the pass can be used, and it can be applied to both award and cash bookings without blackout dates or route restrictions.
How to Earn the Companion Pass
To snag the Companion Pass, you need to either:
Accumulate 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points within a 12-month period.
Complete 100 one-way flights on Southwest within the same period.
Earning 100 flights might sound overwhelming, so the focus shifts to collecting 135,000 Rapid Rewards points. Points transferred from Chase or purchased through Southwest don't qualify, but there are other ways to reach the target. Points earned from Southwest flights, shopping portal bonuses, and, most notably, welcome offers from Southwest credit cards do count.
The Fast Track: Credit Card Welcome Offers
Credit card bonuses are the golden ticket for fast-tracking the Companion Pass. Right now, Southwest is offering an impressive deal: Earn Companion Pass® + 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Offer ends 3/31/25. Promotional Companion Pass valid through 2/28/26.. There are also business versions of these cards with even higher bonuses. Combining a personal and a business card can push you well past the 135,000-point threshold, especially when factoring in everyday spending.
One important note: although each Southwest credit card offers unique benefits and varying annual fees, only one personal card welcome offer can be earned per person due to Chase’s card family rules. However, pairing one personal card with a business card can score two welcome offers, making this a strategic approach to hitting the goal.
Timing Is Everything
The qualifying points must be earned within the same calendar year to count towards your Companion Pass. To maximize the pass's validity, begin earning points now but time your spending so that you reach 135,000 points in early January. This method ensures that the pass will be valid for all of 2024 and 2025. Careful management of spending is key—don’t set the card as your default payment method for online shopping or lend it to someone unaware of the spending strategy.
Is the Companion Pass Right for You?
The Southwest Companion Pass is ideal for frequent flyers who already favor Southwest or live near a Southwest hub. It’s a way to cut travel costs dramatically, especially for those who fly monthly or more. However, if Southwest isn’t a preferred airline or local routes are limited, the pass may not provide substantial value. For solo travelers, even without a companion, the current offer remains competitive and is worth considering.
Final Thoughts
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most powerful travel perks available, especially for beginners playing the miles and points game. By leveraging current credit card offers, meeting spending thresholds, and strategically timing point earnings, travelers can enjoy unlimited buy-one-get-one-free flights for up to two years. The opportunity to save thousands on travel is real, and with no limits on use or restrictions, it’s an unbeatable deal for those who play it right.
