Quick Tip: Travel with a friend nearly for free using the Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest Airlines is a top choice for many travelers due to its flexible ticket exchange policy, free checked bags, and unique boarding process. For the most dedicated Southwest fans, the Companion Pass stands out as the ultimate benefit, allowing you to name one person who can fly with you at no cost.

Absolutely, it's like buy one, get one free on all Southwest flights — whether you're using cash or Rapid Rewards points. Just cover the taxes and fees for the ticket.

So, what’s the lowdown on this exclusive benefit, and how can you earn it to take a friend along for free on your next adventure?

What’s the process to earn the Companion Pass?

Southwest provides two tiers of elite status, A-List and A-List Preferred, along with the Companion Pass. You need to qualify each year to maintain your status.

You can qualify for the Companion Pass by achieving one of the following criteria:

• Complete 100 one-way qualifying flights on Southwest within a year
• Accumulate 135,000 qualifying points in a year

Obtaining the Companion Pass by flying 100 one-way flights is quite achievable. You need to complete 100 flights on Southwest within a year. Yes, that’s a lot of air travel. For many, accumulating 135,000 qualifying points offers an easier path to securing the Companion Pass. You can earn these points through various Rapid Rewards activities, such as:

• Traveling with Southwest
• Engaging with partner businesses like hotels and car rentals
• Participating in the Rapid Rewards Dining program
• Applying for and/or using a Southwest credit card

Currently, both of these credit cards are offering up to 120,000 points for new applicants:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier® Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus an additional 60,000 points after spending $15,000 in nine months.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance® Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and an extra 40,000 points after spending $15,000 in nine months.

These represent the best offers we've encountered on these cards, each valued at an impressive $1,680 according to TPG's July 2024 valuations. This is excellent value for cards with manageable annual fees ($99 for the Premier and $199 for the Performance). While the spending thresholds are substantial, the rewards can be extraordinary.

If you apply for one of these cards now and fulfill the $15,000 spending requirement by year-end, you’ll secure a Companion Pass for the remainder of 2024 (after qualifying) and throughout 2025.

This is because you’ll earn 120,000 points from the tiered sign-up bonus. Additionally, by spending $15,000, you’ll gain at least 15,000 points from the standard earning rate (or more if your spending falls into categories that earn over 1 point per dollar).

Keep in mind that transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest does not contribute to the Companion Pass qualification.

How does the Companion Pass function?

Now, let’s dive into the exciting part — taking a friend along on your Southwest flights for (almost) free.

A few days after qualifying for your Companion Pass, you’ll receive an email allowing you to nominate your companion. You can switch companions up to three times each calendar year, so choose wisely! Check out our four-step guide to utilizing the Companion Pass.

As a reminder, you’ll need to cover the taxes and fees for your companion's flight. Domestic fares start at $5.60 one-way per person, while international rates may be higher.

In summary

The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to book a flight for another person at nearly no cost. While the requirement of 100 one-way flights in a year is quite steep, accumulating 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points is achievable, especially with a generous welcome bonus on a cobranded credit card.

With Southwest offering flights both domestically and internationally, who wouldn’t want to take a special someone to Hawaii, Aruba, or Costa Rica?