Southwest Companion Pass: Strategies to Earn it Fast
The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered the most valuable perk in domestic travel. It allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight. This isn’t a one-time coupon; it is a status that lasts for the remainder of the year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year.
Here is exactly how to navigate the requirements and secure your pass quickly using credit card bonuses and spending strategies.
Understanding the Requirements
To earn the Companion Pass, you must earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a single calendar year. For most people, flying 100 times is impossible. Therefore, the points strategy is the only realistic path.
Southwest currently gives credit card holders a “boost” of 10,000 qualifying points at the start of each year. This effectively lowers the requirement to 125,000 points if you hold one of their co-branded cards.
It is critical to know what counts and what does not.
- Counts: Points earned from flying, credit card sign-up bonuses, credit card spending, referral bonuses, and points from partners (shopping, dining, hotels).
- Does NOT Count: Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards, purchased points, or points transferred from other hotel programs/airlines.
The Credit Card Sign-Up Strategy
The fastest way to hit the 125,000-point threshold is through Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards. You cannot hold two personal Southwest cards at the same time, but you can hold one personal card and one business card.
1. The Personal Card Options
Chase offers three personal cards: the Plus ($69 annual fee), Premier ($99 annual fee), and Priority ($149 annual fee).
Sign-up bonuses typically fluctuate between 50,000 and 75,000 points after you spend roughly $3,000 in the first three months. Occasionally, promotional offers appear that grant a temporary Companion Pass directly, though these usually last only one year rather than two.
2. The Business Card “Double Dip”
To earn the pass immediately without flying, combine a personal card bonus with a business card bonus. This is often called “double dipping.”
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: This card carries a $199 annual fee but historically offers high bonuses, often around 80,000 points.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: This has a lower $99 fee and typically offers around 60,000 points.
The Math: If you open a Performance Business card (80,000 points) and a personal Priority card (50,000 points), you immediately have 130,000 points. Combined with the points earned from the minimum spend required to unlock those bonuses, you will surpass the 135,000-point requirement instantly.
Strategic Timing for Maximum Value
When you earn the Companion Pass matters significantly. The pass is valid for the rest of the year you earn it in, plus the full following year.
- Bad Timing: If you earn the pass in December 2024, it is valid for the rest of December 2024 and all of 2025. You get roughly 13 months of value.
- Perfect Timing: If you earn the pass in January 2024, it is valid for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. You get nearly 24 months of value.
The Strategy: Open your credit cards in October or November. Complete almost all your required spending, but stop just short of the limit. Once January 1st hits, spend the final amount needed. The bonus points will post in January, triggering the Companion Pass for nearly two full years.
Earning Points Without Flying
If you do not want to open two credit cards, or if you are short a few thousand points, use these methods to bridge the gap.
Southwest Hotels
This is the most aggressive way to earn points outside of credit cards. By booking hotels through Southwest Hotels (formerly Rocketmiles), you can earn massive point multipliers.
While a standard hotel stay might earn a few hundred points, specific properties on this portal offer up to 10,000 points per night. These points count toward the Companion Pass. If you are 5,000 points short, a single weekend hotel stay booked through this portal can solve the problem.
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
Never buy directly from a retailer’s website without checking the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal first. Major retailers like Home Depot, Nike, and Sephora participate.
If the portal offers 4 points per dollar at Nike and you spend $200, you earn 800 qualifying points. During the holiday season, these multipliers often increase, allowing you to rack up thousands of points on gifts you were going to buy anyway.
Referral Bonuses
If you already have a Southwest credit card, you can refer friends or family. Chase typically offers 20,000 points for every person who is approved using your referral link, up to 100,000 points per year. Referring just two people can cover a significant portion of the requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Companion Pass cover taxes and fees? No. While the ticket price is free, you must pay taxes and fees for your companion. For domestic travel, this is usually $5.60 each way. International taxes can be higher, ranging from $50 to over $100 depending on the destination.
Can I change my designated companion? Yes. You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. You must call Southwest Customer Service to make this change. Note that you cannot change the companion if you currently have a flight booked with the original companion. You must cancel that reservation first.
Do points transferred from Chase Sapphire Preferred count? No. Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards (earned via Sapphire or Ink cards) to Southwest generally allow you to book flights, but they do not count toward the 135,000-point Companion Pass requirement.
Do I lose my points when I earn the pass? No. This is a common misconception. The 135,000 points are just a “counter” or scorecard to track your status. You still get to keep and redeem those 135,000 points for free flights. This effectively gives you $1,600+ worth of free travel in addition to the BOGO benefit.