There are good travel perks… and then there’s the Southwest Companion Pass.
This is the one that turns every Southwest flight you book into a buy-one-get-one-free deal, with no cap on how many times you can use it. And if you time it right? You can lock it in for nearly two full years.
Let’s break down how it works, the smartest way to earn it, and why this current promo is so freaking good.
What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is widely considered the best deal in travel.
It allows you to designate one person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight for an unlimited number of times, effectively turning your flight bookings into buy-one-get-one-free deals.
The pass is valid for the rest of the year it’s earned and the entire following year, which means strategic timing can stretch your benefit up to nearly two full years of free companion flights. Plus, if a companion change is needed, the pass allows up to three swaps per year.
With Southwest serving over 100 destinations across the U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean, the possibilities for affordable travel are almost endless.
How to Earn the Pass (The Standard Way)
To snag the Companion Pass, you need to either:
Earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year
Complete 100 one-way flights on Southwest within the same period
Earning 100 flights might sound overwhelming, so the focus shifts to collecting 135,000 Rapid Rewards points.
Keep in mind, every Southwest cardmember receives an automatic 10,000-point head start toward the Companion Pass every year. This means cardholders actually only need to earn 125,000 points from other sources.
Points transferred from Chase or purchased through Southwest don't qualify, but there are other ways to reach the target. Points earned from Southwest flights, shopping portal bonuses, and, most notably, welcome offers from Southwest credit cards do count.
The "Shortcut" to BOGO Flights
The standard qualification for the Companion Pass usually requires a lot of flying or heavy spending. However, right now, there is a massive shortcut.
Right now, you can earn a promotional Companion Pass valid through February 28, 2027, by opening one of the Southwest personal credit cards and meeting the minimum spend requirements:
Card | Current Welcome Offer | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
Earn Companion Pass through 2/28/27 and 40,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $229 | |
Earn Companion Pass through 2/28/27 and 20,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $99 |
🌟 Why This Matters: With these offers, you can earn the Companion Pass after meeting the minimum spend on just one card (no 135,000-point grind required!).
How to Get the Pass for Nearly Two Years
If you’re earning the pass the standard way (no card welcome offers), then the "Holy Grail" of points and miles is timing your point earnings so you hit the 135,000-point threshold in January or February.
Because the Pass is valid for the remainder of the year and the entire following year, hitting the goal in early 2026 means you keep the Pass until December 31, 2027.
The fastest way to hit 135k points:
The Business/Personal Combo: Open one Southwest Business card (which often has bonuses of 80k to 120k points) and one Southwest Personal card.
Referrals: Each successful referral to a Southwest card typically earns you 10,000 to 20,000 points, all of which count toward the Pass.
Is the Companion Pass Right for You?
The Southwest Companion Pass is ideal for frequent flyers who already favor Southwest or live near a Southwest hub. It’s a way to dramatically cut travel costs, especially for those who fly monthly or more often.
However, if Southwest isn’t a preferred airline or local routes are limited, the pass may not provide substantial value.
Rules to Keep in Mind
Chase 5/24: You likely won’t be approved if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months.
The 24-Month Rule: You cannot earn a bonus on a Southwest personal card if you currently hold one, or if you have received a bonus on one in the last 24 months.
Changing Your Companion: You can change your designated companion up to 3 times per calendar year.
Final Thoughts
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most powerful travel perks available, especially for beginners following a miles-and-points strategy.
By leveraging current credit card offers, meeting spending thresholds, and strategically timing point-earning opportunities, travelers can enjoy unlimited buy-one-get-one-free flights for up to two years.
Used strategically, it can save you thousands in flights with no blackout dates or caps on how often you use it.
