How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 2026
- Use it for both cash and points flights. The companion flies free regardless of how you booked your ticket.
- Book separate reservations when comparing. Sometimes two separate tickets are cheaper than one ticket plus companion.
- Combine with Southwest sales. When Southwest runs a $49 fare sale, your companion adds just $5.60 per segment.
- Hawaii routes. Southwest flies to Hawaii from several mainland cities. The companion pass works on these routes too.
The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered the most valuable domestic travel perk in the US. Once earned, a designated companion flies free (you only pay taxes of $5.60 per segment) on every Southwest flight you take for the remainder of the calendar year plus the entire following year. For couples or families, this effectively cuts your domestic travel costs in half.
How It Works
Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year and you automatically receive the Companion Pass. The pass is valid from the date earned through the end of the following calendar year. Timing is everything: earn it in January and you get nearly two full years of free companion flights.
How to Earn 135,000 Points
The Credit Card Strategy (Fastest Path)
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Spend | Points from Spend | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | 75,000 points | $3,000 in 3 months | 3,000 | 78,000 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business | 75,000 points | $5,000 in 3 months | 5,000 | 80,000 |
| Total from two cards | 158,000 (exceeds 135,000 threshold) |
The Timing Trick
Apply for both cards in early January. Meet the minimum spend requirements by February-March. Your points will post in January or February, giving you the Companion Pass from January through December of the following year -- nearly 24 full months of free companion travel.
Do not earn the pass in December. If you earn the 135,000th point in December, you only get the pass for the remainder of that month plus the following year. Timing the earning to January gives you an extra 11 months.
Maximizing the Companion Pass
- Use it for both cash and points flights. The companion flies free regardless of how you booked your ticket.
- Book separate reservations when comparing. Sometimes two separate tickets are cheaper than one ticket plus companion.
- Combine with Southwest sales. When Southwest runs a $49 fare sale, your companion adds just $5.60 per segment.
- Hawaii routes. Southwest flies to Hawaii from several mainland cities. The companion pass works on these routes too.
The Value Math
If you take 10 round trips per year with your companion at an average fare of $250, the Companion Pass saves:
- Per year: 10 trips x $250 = $2,500 in free flights (minus $112 in taxes)
- Over nearly 2 years: $5,000+ in total companion flight value
- Cost to earn: Annual fees of approximately $200 combined, offset by card benefits
Track your progress toward the 135,000 point threshold in Pointify Wallet. We show your qualifying point total and estimate when you will hit the Companion Pass based on your current earning rate.
Written by Pointify Travel Team
Published
The Pointify team analyzes loyalty programs, fare data, and booking strategies across 300+ airlines and 25 award programs. Our goal: help you get maximum value from every point and mile.
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