Southwest Companion Pass: Everything You Need To Know

The Southwest Companion Pass is a reward program benefit that is endless. Free travel for at least a year. While airline points and miles can help you get almost free flights. The Southwest Companion Pass is a standout.

How does the Southwest Companion Pass work?

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of travel’s most valuable benefits. Holders of a Southwest Partner Pass are eligible to travel for free on all Southwest flights with a partner. Domestic flights within the United States cost only $5.60 in taxes for each trip.

You’re not even trapped with the same companion throughout the year. Customers with Southwest Pass have the option to switch partners up to three times in a single year.

A Companion Pass is valid for a limitless amount of trips in any direction. More importantly, the Companion Pass has no cutoff dates or seat limitations. Southwest will allow pass holders to secure a seat for their companion. Even if it is the final available seat on the trip.

A companion may be with a Companion Pass holder regardless of how they booked the ticket. That implies Companion Pass customers do not have to book cash flights to get the companion flight. Passholders can pay for their flight with Rapid Rewards points. Invite a buddy to cover the cost of taxes and fees. The total cost out of pocket might be as small as $5.60 for every trip.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

To get the Companion Pass, you must be very active with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. To obtain the Companion Pass, a Rapid Rewards member must complete 100 eligible one-way flights. or accrue 135,000 points in a year that qualifies you for Companion Pass. To aid meet this criterion, Rapid Rewards credit cardholders earn 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying bonus points each year.

Only some of the points earned are companion pass points.

Not all Rapid Rewards point activities count toward the Companion Pass. But, the majority of earning activities qualify. According to Southwest, there are four main requirements to be eligible for the Companion Pass:

Rapid Rewards credit card
Shop and dine.
Travel, Home, and Lifestyle

The Companion Pass is traditionally obtained as a reward from an airline loyalty club by traveling and earning all 135,000 points. But, this will be difficult for the majority of travelers. Southwest flyers earn Rapid Rewards on revenue flights at the following rates:

The usual fare is worth six points less than Wanna Get Away prices.

Wanna Get Away Plus fares: 8 points per dollar of base price.
Every dollar spent on standard fare at any given time earns 10 points.
Every dollar spent on a basic ticket earns you 12 points under the Business Select pricing.

That implies a Rapid Rewards member would have to spend $22,500. (before taxes and fees) on the Wanna Get Away prices offered by Southwest in order to get enough points only from flights. If you buy the more expensive Anytime fares. The Companion Pass will still cost $13,500 (before taxes and fees).

Fortunately, Companion Pass points may be gained through more than flying. The 135,000-point need includes Southwest partner hotel stays. Also, car rentals, Rapid Rewards credit card spending, and welcome bonuses.