What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit that lets you choose one person to fly with you on any Southwest flight for the rest of the year in which you earn it plus the entire following calendar year. For domestic flights, your companion pays only the taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 one way. You can use the pass for both cash and award tickets, and there is no limit on how many times you use it.
To keep the pass simple: you earn it, designate someone as your companion, and then book travel together. The pass holder must be on the same flight; your companion cannot fly alone.
- Domestic companion fare: taxes and fees from $5.60 each way.
- Valid through the end of the next calendar year after earning.
- Unlimited use on cash or points flights.
- Companion cannot travel without the pass holder.
Sources: Southwest Airlines, Chase, Forbes Advisor
How to Qualify: Two Paths to the Companion Pass
There are two ways to qualify for the Companion Pass in a calendar year: earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights. This guide focuses on the points route, especially using credit card points to accelerate your progress.
Not all points count toward the Companion Pass. Qualifying points include base points from revenue flights, points from Rapid Rewards credit and debit cards, and base points from partners. Excluded points are purchased points, transferred points, points converted from hotel or car programs, and certain other points like those from surveys.
- Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, or
- Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
- Qualifying points come from revenue flights, eligible card spending, and partner base points.
- Points from credit card welcome offers and everyday spending do count.
- Purchased, transferred, and converted points do not count.
Sources: Southwest Airlines, Chase
How Credit Card Points Count Toward the 135,000-Point Goal
The points you earn from Southwest credit cards—including welcome bonuses, everyday spending, and card anniversary bonuses—are added directly to your Rapid Rewards account. The key nuance is timing: the points count for the calendar year in which they are posted, not the date of purchase. This means you need to plan card spending and statement closing dates carefully, especially if you are trying to earn the pass by the end of December.
In 2026, the earning year remains aligned with the calendar year. Your goal is to have 135,000 qualifying points posted to your Rapid Rewards account by December 31. Some credit card welcome offers are large enough to provide a significant head start—for example, a single card bonus may give you 50,000 to 80,000 points depending on the card.
- Welcome bonuses count as soon as they post to your Rapid Rewards account.
- Everyday spending on Southwest cards earns points that count the same way.
- Card anniversary points count, but are subject to the same posting-date rule.
- Only points posted in the same calendar year apply to that year's qualification.
- Statement closing dates in December can affect whether points post in time.
Sources: The Points Guy, Forbes Advisor
Choosing a Companion and Changing That Person
Once you earn the Companion Pass, you must designate one person as your companion. You can change that designation up to three times during the calendar year you have the pass. This flexibility is useful if your travel companion changes during the year.
To use the pass, you book a flight for yourself and then add your companion to the same itinerary. Both of you must be on the same flights, and your companion cannot travel on the pass without you.
- Designate one companion after earning the pass.
- You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year.
- Book your own ticket first, then add your companion.
- Your companion must fly on the same flights as you.
Sources: CNBC Select, Forbes Advisor
Taxes and Fees When Using the Companion Pass
With the Companion Pass, your companion still has to pay applicable taxes and fees. For domestic flights, this starts at $5.60 per one-way ticket. On international flights, the taxes and fees can be higher, but Southwest does not publish a maximum amount.
These charges are separate from the points or cash you use for your own ticket. When you book your companion, you will see the exact tax and fee amount before you confirm.
- Domestic companion fare starts at $5.60 each way.
- International companion fares may have higher taxes and fees, but amounts vary.
- Companion taxes and fees are due at booking.
Sources: Chase, CNBC Select
Alternate Ways to Earn the Pass Through Promotions
In addition to regular credit card spending and flying, Southwest occasionally runs promotions that help you earn qualifying points faster. For example, a limited-time offer might give you extra qualifying points for a new credit card application or for certain purchases. However, such promotions vary and are not always available.
If you are planning to earn the Companion Pass, it is wise to check Southwest’s website for current offers and to consider applying for a Southwest credit card when a generous welcome bonus is active. Welcome offers can change, so always verify current terms with the issuer.
- Watch for limited-time bonus points offers from Southwest or Chase.
- Apply for a Southwest credit card when a larger welcome bonus is available.
- Check your Rapid Rewards account regularly to see how many qualifying points you have.
Sources: CNBC Select, Southwest Airlines
Using the Companion Pass with Southwest Credit Cards: What to Know
If you are an eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cardholder, you automatically receive a 10,000-point Companion Pass qualifying boost each year. This boost is limited to one per member per calendar year, meaning that even if you have multiple cards, you still receive only one 10,000-point boost.
This boost is especially helpful because it counts toward the 135,000 qualifying points, and it is granted annually. The boost posts to your account and counts toward the year in which it is posted.
- Eligible cardholders get an annual 10,000-point Companion Pass boost.
- The boost is limited to one per member per year, even with multiple cards.
- The boost counts as qualifying points toward the 135,000 threshold.
Sources: Southwest Airlines, Chase
Frequently asked questions
Do card anniversary points count toward the Companion Pass?
Yes, card anniversary points count toward the Companion Pass. The anniversary points are added to your Rapid Rewards account and count as Companion Pass qualifying points, but they must post to your account in the same calendar year for which you are trying to qualify.
Sources: The Points Guy, Forbes AdvisorCan I use the Companion Pass for international flights?
Yes, you can use the Companion Pass for Southwest international flights. Your companion will be responsible for the applicable taxes and fees, which may be higher than those for domestic flights, but the exact amount varies.
Sources: CNBC Select, Forbes AdvisorHow long is the Companion Pass valid?
Once you earn the Companion Pass, it is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earned it plus the entire following calendar year. For example, if you earn it in September 2026, it remains valid through December 31, 2027.
Sources: CNBC Select, Forbes AdvisorCan I get a Companion Pass from card bonuses in different years?
Yes, you can combine card bonuses from different years to earn the Companion Pass, as long as the points from those bonuses post to your Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year. Points count toward the qualification year in which they post, regardless of when the bonus was earned.
Sources: The Points Guy, Forbes AdvisorSources
- How to earn A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass — Southwest Airlines
- FAQs | Southwest Airlines Credit Card — Chase
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card — Chase
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass — The Points Guy
- Southwest Companion Pass: Everything You Need To Know — Forbes Advisor
- Guide To Earning the Southwest Companion Pass — CNBC Select