How I Fly for Free All Year with the Southwest Companion Pass & You Can Too!

The Ultimate Guide to the Southwest Companion Pass: Fly 2-for-1 All Year Long

With the Southwest Companion Pass, a friend or family member can travel with you and FLY FOR FREE on your paid plus point/award tickets for up to 2 years! Here’s Why I Love the Southwest Companion Pass Promotion… along with all The Pros and Cons of Southwest’s Companion Pass, How I earned my Southwest Companion Pass every year (also the Southwest Companion Pass Trick you’ll want to know…) Learn How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass for yourself and a travel buddy too! Everything you need to know about the Southwest Companion Pass rules and How to get Southwest Companion Pass every year!

FREE Flights (Places I Traveled To…)

All the places I few for FREE to via my Southwest Companion Pass:

  1. Cuba 🇨🇺
  2. Bahamas 🇧🇸
  3. Jamaica 🇯🇲
  4. Washington D.C.
  5. Grand Cayman 🇰🇾
  6. Turks & Caicos 🇹🇨
  7. Las Vegas, Nevada
  8. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 (TWO different times)
Table of Contents

What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks in the airline industry, allowing you to bring a travel companion with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you fly Southwest. Whether you book a flight with cash or points, your companion only pays the minimal taxes and fees starting at $5.60 one-way. It’s the ultimate travel hack for anyone looking to save money while exploring the world.

How the Companion Pass Works

  • Once earned, you can designate one person to fly with you for free every time you book a flight.
  • Your pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it plus the entire following year.
  • You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.

Example: Earn your Companion Pass in early 2025, and it will remain valid through December 31, 2026. That could be almost 2 years!

Why the Southwest Companion Pass Is So Valuable

Imagine taking trips to bucket-list destinations and paying for just one ticket! Here’s why the Companion Pass is a must-have:

  • Cost Savings: Fly two people for the price of one ticket.
  • Flexibility: Use it on both paid and reward flights.
  • Long Validity: The sooner you earn it, the more you benefit.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

There are two main ways to earn the Companion Pass:

1. Take 100 One-Way Flights in a Calendar Year

This option is ideal for frequent flyers who travel regularly for business or leisure.

2. Earn 135,000 Qualifying Points

Points can be earned through:

  • Southwest Credit Cards: Sign-up bonuses can give you a huge points boost. For example, some offers provide 75,000 bonus points after meeting minimum spending requirements.
  • Everyday Spending: Earn points by using your Southwest card for groceries, dining, gas, and more.
  • Partner Offers: Hotels, car rentals, and shopping through Southwest’s partners.

>> Read: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass [2025]

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Companion Pass

  1. Book Your Ticket: Purchase your flight or redeem points through the Southwest app or website.
  2. Add Your Companion: After booking, log in to your Rapid Rewards account and select “Add Companion” to your reservation.
  3. Pay Taxes and Fees: These start at just $5.60 per one-way domestic flight.
  4. Enjoy the Savings: Fly with your companion for free as many times as you want while the pass is valid!

Pro Tips for Maximizing the Companion Pass

  • Time It Right: Apply for a Southwest credit card late in the year and earn the sign-up bonus early in the next year. This maximizes the pass’s validity for nearly two years.
  • Leverage Promotions: Keep an eye out for limited-time offers that help you earn points faster.
  • Plan Big Trips: Use the pass for expensive or long-haul flights to maximize savings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Missing the qualification deadline.
  • Not understanding what qualifies as Rapid Rewards points.
  • Forgetting to use the pass on a flight you’ve already booked.

Southwest Companion Pass FAQ

Q: Can I use the pass for international flights?
A: Yes! The pass works for both domestic and international flights, though taxes and fees may vary.

Q: Can I change my designated companion?
A: Yes, up to three times per calendar year.

Q: Do reward flights count toward the 135,000-point requirement?
A: No, only points earned from flights, credit card spending, and partner activities qualify.

How I Saved Thousands with My Companion Pass

Over the past year, I’ve used the Companion Pass to visit 8 different destinations with my travel buddy and spouse. From a quick weekend getaways in the USA from Las Vegas to Washington DC even Puerto Rico TWICE.

  • Las Vegas
  • Washington DC
  • Puerto Rico

YES Puerto Rico is part of the United States of America and Does NOT require a Passport to Travel too! Although I’ve also used my Southwest Companion Pass to take some international adventures as well to places like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman Islands, and even CUBA!

  • Nassau, Bahamas,
  • Montego Bay, Jamaica,
  • Turks & Caicos,
  • Grand Cayman Islands,
  • CUBA

The savings have been incredible. For example, on a $500 flight, my Southwest Companion Pass ticket might only cost just $5.60 in fees!

FYI… Companion Pass is the benefit that allows you to choose one person to fly with you, free of airline charges (does not include taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way) unlimited times whenever you purchase or redeem points for a flight.

The Southwest Limited-Time Companion Pass “Temporary Trial Period”

A Southwest limited-time Companion Pass is a promotional version of the full Southwest Companion Pass. It allows travelers to bring a designated companion with them on flights for free (excluding taxes and fees, typically $5.60 one-way for domestic flights) for a short, specific time period.

Key Details of the Limited-Time Companion Pass:

  1. Eligibility Requirements:
    • Travelers must complete certain criteria during a specified promotional period to earn the pass.
    • For example, Southwest may require members to book and complete one round-trip flight or two one-way flights within a defined timeframe.
  2. Validity Period:
    • Unlike the standard Companion Pass, which is valid for the remainder of the year it’s earned plus the entire following year, the limited-time pass is only valid for a short promotional window, such as two or three months.
  3. How It Works:
    • Once earned, members can designate one person as their companion.
    • The companion can fly for free on flights booked during the promotional window, with the member only paying taxes and fees.
  4. Example of a Recent Promotion:
    • In 2024, Southwest offered a limited-time Companion Pass for travel between January 6 and March 6, 2025, if members registered and booked qualifying flights during a specific window (e.g., September 3–5, 2024, for travel completed by November 20, 2024).
  5. Purpose of the Promotion:
    • These limited-time passes are designed to encourage bookings and reward loyal customers, while introducing new travelers to the benefits of the full Companion Pass program.

If you’re considering taking advantage of such a promotion, always check the specific requirements and terms during the offer period!

Southwest Companion Pass Updates for 2025 & 2026

There are a lot of updates coming in 2025-2026 to Southwest Airlines! Assigned Seating Changes Everything with it’s A-List Perks And new Southwest Companion Pass Rules Revealed (for the coming year).

  • COMING SOON Ability to select an available seat for your designated Companion.
  • COMING SOON Tier Member seating benefits will extend to both you and your Companion.
  • Choose one person to fly with you, free of airline charges (does not include taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way)
  • Companion Pass qualifying points can be earned when you use your Rapid Rewards®
    Credit Card.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards™ Cardmembers will earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar

Here’s the new benefit table:

>> Read: Southwest Airlines Assigned Seating Changes Everything: A-List Perks And Companion Pass Rules Revealed (for 2025 & 2026)

Conclusion

The Southwest Companion Pass is a travel game-changer, offering unparalleled value for frequent flyers and wanderlust-driven adventurers alike. Whether you’re booking trips with cash or redeeming Rapid Rewards points, this perk ensures you and your favorite travel buddy can fly more for less.

Ready to get started? Check your Rapid Rewards points today and take the first step toward earning your Companion Pass!

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