Most "buy one get one" deals are marketing gimmicks. The Southwest Companion Pass is the real thing. Once you earn it, you designate one person who flies free (just $5.60 in taxes per segment) every time you book a Southwest flight. Cash tickets, award tickets, it doesn't matter. And it lasts through the end of the following calendar year. Earn it in January and you get nearly two full years.

The qualification threshold is 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. That sounds steep, but credit card welcome bonuses can get you most of the way there in a single month. The strategy is all about timing.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass with Credit Cards

The fastest path uses two Southwest co-branded credit cards from Chase. Apply for the Southwest Priority Card and the Southwest Premier Card (or the business version). Each card's welcome bonus currently offers 50,000-75,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements.

With two welcome bonuses, you'll earn 100,000-150,000 points. Combined with the minimum spending itself (which also earns points at 1x), most people cross the 135,000-point threshold within two to three months. The key: apply for both cards in early January to maximize the duration of your Companion Pass.

Critical Timing

Earn the pass as early in the calendar year as possible. If you hit 135,000 points in January 2026, the pass is valid through December 31, 2027, nearly 24 months of free companion flights. Hit it in November and you only get 14 months.

What the Southwest Companion Pass Covers

1

All Southwest flights including award tickets

Your companion flies free whether you paid cash or redeemed Rapid Rewards points. The only cost is $5.60 per one-way segment in government taxes.

2

Domestic routes plus Hawaii, Mexico, and Caribbean

Southwest flies to over 100 destinations including Honolulu, Cancun, San Juan, and Cabo San Lucas. The Companion Pass works on all of them.

3

No blackout dates or capacity restrictions

If there's a seat available on the flight, your companion can have it. No blackout dates, no limited award inventory, no restrictions beyond seat availability.

4

Change your designated companion up to 3 times per year

Designate your partner, a friend, or a family member. You can switch your companion up to three times per calendar year, giving you flexibility for different trips.

Earn it in January and you get nearly two full years of free companion flights. On cash tickets, award tickets, and everything in between.

The 5/24 Rule and Southwest Card Applications

Southwest credit cards are issued by Chase and subject to the 5/24 rule. If you've opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months, Chase will deny your application. Plan accordingly. If you're also building the Chase Trifecta, factor Southwest cards into your 5/24 count.

The Southwest business card (Rapid Rewards Premier Business) is a workaround for some applicants. Business cards from other issuers generally don't count toward 5/24 when Chase pulls your credit, though Chase business cards themselves do use a 5/24 slot.

Is the Southwest Companion Pass Worth the Effort

For couples or families who fly domestically more than a few times per year, the Companion Pass is arguably the highest-value travel perk available. Even at just four round trips per year, the companion savings easily exceed $1,500-2,000 annually. For frequent weekend travelers or families visiting relatives, the math becomes even more compelling.

The main limitation is that Southwest operates a single-cabin, no-frills model. If you prefer premium cabins, assigned seating, or international long-haul routes, the Companion Pass won't replace your other travel strategies. But as a supplement for domestic travel, nothing else comes close to the value.

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