How to Get the Southwest Companion Pass: A Complete Guide

To get the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points or fly 100 one-way Southwest flights in a calendar year. It’s a tall order, but with the right strategy, it can be achievable. Although you can get this valuable perk solely through flights, using a co-branded Southwest credit card can speed up the process.

Once earned, the Companion Pass allows you to choose a designated companion to fly with you for nearly free. You’ll only need to cover taxes and fees, typically starting at $5.60 one-way. Our guide will take you through the exact steps to earn the pass quickly, share tips on how to time your spending to qualify for almost two full years of Companion Pass benefits and reveal the best credit cards to fast-track your way to this valuable perk.

Earning the Southwest Companion Pass requires meeting one of two main criteria: accumulating enough qualifying points or flying frequently with Southwest. Here’s how each method works and how you can leverage them to earn this sought-after travel perk:

1. Accumulate 135,000 Qualifying Points

To earn the Companion Pass, you’ll need to collect 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. Points can be earned through various channels:

• Flying with Southwest: Each paid Southwest flight earns you points based on the fare type, ranging from 6X to 12X points per dollar spent.
• Southwest Credit Cards: Southwest offers a range of co-branded credit cards that not only earn points on purchases but come with generous sign-up bonuses. For example, the Rapid Rewards Priority offers a welcome bonus of 85,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, and it earns 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X on local transit, rideshares, telecommunications and select streaming services and 1X on all other purchases.
• Engaging with Rapid Rewards Partners: You can earn additional points through everyday activities like dining at participating restaurants, shopping through the Rapid Rewards portal or booking travel with hotel and rental car partners.

Keep in mind that transferred and purchased Rapid Rewards points do not count towards your Companion Pass points.

2. Fly 100 One-Way Flights

The second way to qualify is by flying 100 one-way flights with Southwest in a calendar year. Although this route is not realistic for most people, those who regularly travel for business can meet this requirement.

To earn the Southwest Companion Pass efficiently, focusing on strategic methods beyond just flying can dramatically speed up the process. Here’s how:

Keep in mind that the card’s annual fee is charged upon sign-up, so be sure the spend is worth it for the rewards you’ll earn.

To quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass, explore multiple ways to accumulate Rapid Rewards points beyond just flying. Below are some of the most effective strategies to help you reach your goal faster.

A Southwest credit card can help you reach the required 135,000 points faster by adding bonus points on top of the base points you earn from flights. The Rapid Rewards Priority and Rapid Rewards Premier lets you earn 3X points on Southwest flights, while the Rapid Rewards Plus offers 2X points.

Here’s how much you’d need to spend on different fare types with and without these cards:

Not all Rapid Rewards points qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass, so focusing on points that count is crucial.

Here’s a breakdown of the qualifying points:

• Points from Southwest Flights
• Points from Southwest Credit Cards
• Points from Rapid Rewards Partners
• Promotional Points on Southwest Purchases
• Anniversary points on Southwest cards

Meanwhile, these Rapid Rewards points don’t go toward your eligibility for a Companion Pass:

• Transferred Points: Points transferred from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, hotel loyalty programs or another Rapid Rewards account do not count toward the pass.
• Purchased Points: Buying points directly from Southwest won’t count toward the Companion Pass.

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable travel perks available, offering unbeatable savings and flexibility for frequent Southwest flyers. Here’s a look at the key benefits that make this pass a must-have for savvy travelers:

Want to know which Southwest card is the best for earning the Companion Pass? Compare Southwest’s co-branded cards and see how their sign-up bonuses and bonus categories can help you reach your goal faster.

If your family regularly flies Southwest, the Southwest Companion Pass is a game-changer. Here are some common questions to help you understand how it works and how to earn it.