You’ve probably heard the rumors. A "buy one, get one free" ticket for nearly two years. It sounds like one of those late-night infomercial scams, doesn't it? But for anyone who actually flies Southwest Airlines, the Companion Pass is basically the holy grail of domestic travel. It’s real. It’s powerful. And honestly, it’s a lot easier to get than most people think—if you know how to play the credit card game correctly.
Southwest Credit Card and Companion Pass: Why the Timing Is Everything
Let's be blunt: if you try to earn this pass just by flying, you’re going to be exhausted. You need 100 qualifying one-way flights in a single calendar year to earn it the "hard" way. That is a flight every 3.6 days. Unless you’re a consultant living out of a carry-on, that’s a nightmare.
The alternative? Earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.
This is where the Southwest credit card and companion pass connection becomes your best friend. Southwest and Chase have this long-standing relationship where the sign-up bonuses from their co-branded credit cards count toward that 135,000-point goal. Most "bonus" points in the airline world don't count toward elite status. Southwest is the outlier. They let you buy your way to the finish line with a few strategic swipes.
But here is the catch. Most people mess up the timing. If you earn your points in December, your pass only lasts through the end of the next year. If you earn those points in January? You get the rest of that year plus the entire following year. We’re talking about potentially 23 months of free flights for your favorite person.
Breaking Down the Math for 2026
As of early 2026, the requirements haven't budged, but the strategy has. You need 135,000 points.
Every Southwest credit card holder now gets a "boost" of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points just for having the card open. That means your real target is 125,000 points. If you open a personal card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you might snag a 50,000-point bonus.
That leaves you 75,000 points short.
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Wait. Don't go spending $75,000 on groceries yet.
The "pro move" involves the business cards. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card often sports bonuses as high as 80,000 points. If you qualify for a business card (and even a side hustle on Etsy usually counts), pairing a business card bonus with a personal card bonus can push you over the 135,000-point mark in one fell swoop.
The 2026 Rules: Seating and Boarding Changes
Southwest is going through a bit of an identity crisis lately. For decades, it was the "open seating" airline. That's ending. If you are looking at a Southwest credit card and companion pass strategy for 2026, you need to know how the new assigned seating affects you.
Starting January 27, 2026, the way you board and sit with your companion is changing. In the old days, you just checked in at exactly 24 hours and hoped for the best. Now, your credit card actually dictates your "seat equity."
- Priority Cardholders: You get unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of your flight, assuming they aren't sold out.
- Premier and Plus Cardholders: You're looking at standard seat selections, but the "Group 5" boarding benefit now applies to you and up to eight people on your reservation.
The best part about the Companion Pass in this new era? Your companion inherits your "boarding vibe." If you have A-List status or a high-tier credit card that grants better boarding, your companion usually gets to tag along in that same boarding window. No more "saving a seat" by awkwardly spreading your coat across the middle cushion while 100 people glare at you.
What Actually Counts Toward the 135,000 Points?
It's easy to get confused. Not all points are created equal.
Points earned from flying? Yes. Points earned from credit card spending? Absolutely. The sign-up bonus? Yes (this is the big one). Points earned from the Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal or dining program? Yes.
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What doesn't count?
Transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards (like your Sapphire Preferred) does not count toward the Companion Pass. It’s a common trap. You can use those points to book the flight, but they won't help you earn the pass. Also, purchased points or points "gifted" from a friend are a no-go for qualification.
Strategy: The "Double Dip" for Maximum Value
If you’re reading this in January 2026, you are in the "Golden Window."
The goal is to finish your minimum spending requirements right now. If your statement closes in late January or February, those 50,000 to 80,000 bonus points land in your account for the 2026 calendar year. Since you earned them in the first two months of the year, you’ll have the Companion Pass for the rest of 2026 and all of 2027.
That is nearly two years of 50% off every single trip.
Think about the places Southwest goes now. It isn’t just puddle jumps to Dallas or Vegas anymore. We're talking Hawaii. Costa Rica. Belize. If you and a partner want to hit Maui, you book your seat for 30,000 points (or $400 cash), and then you literally just click a button that says "Add Companion." You pay the $5.60 TSA fee, and that’s it. They’re on the flight.
Common Pitfalls and Why People Lose Their Pass
Honestly, the biggest mistake is "statement closing date" confusion.
I’ve seen people spend their $3,000 minimum requirement on December 28th, thinking they are starting the new year strong. But if that credit card statement closes on December 31st, those points count toward the previous year. Suddenly, they have 80,000 points in a year that’s ending, and on January 1st, their progress bar resets to zero.
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It’s heartbreaking.
Always check your statement date on the Chase app. If you want the points to count for 2026, make sure that final dollar of the minimum spend happens in the billing cycle that ends in January.
Another thing: the "One Southwest Card" rule. Chase generally won't let you have two personal Southwest cards at the same time. You also can't get a new bonus if you've received one in the last 24 months. However, you can have one personal card and one business card. This is the "secret menu" item for frequent flyers. By getting the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority (personal) card, you can easily clear 130,000+ points in about three months.
Is the Priority Card Worth the $229 Fee?
Most people look at the $99 Plus card and think it's the better deal. It's not.
The Priority card gives you a $75 Southwest annual travel credit. That immediately brings your "effective" fee down to $154. Then, you get 7,500 anniversary points (worth about $100). Suddenly, you're paying $54 for a card that gives you four upgraded boardings and a massive head start on the Companion Pass. If you fly more than twice a year, the Plus card is actually more expensive in the long run.
Actionable Next Steps for January 2026
If you want to stop paying for your spouse, kid, or best friend to fly, here is the exact sequence to follow:
- Check your 24-month status: Make sure it has been at least two years since you last received a Southwest credit card bonus.
- Apply for a Business Card first: If you have any kind of side income, apply for the Southwest Performance Business card. The bonus is higher and it doesn't count against your "5/24" status with Chase.
- Wait 30 days and apply for the Priority Personal Card: This pairing is the most reliable way to hit 135,000 points.
- Time your spend: Ensure your minimum spending is completed after your December statement closes so the points post in 2026.
- Designate your companion: Once the points hit your account, the pass triggers automatically. You can change your designated companion up to three times per year, so don't feel locked in if your travel buddy changes.
The Southwest credit card and companion pass combo remains the single best value in the domestic airline industry. While other airlines are devaluing their points and making it harder to earn status, Southwest has kept this door open. Just make sure you walk through it before they decide to change the locks.
Don't wait until summer to start this. Every month you delay is a month of free flights you’re leaving on the table. Open the app, check your dates, and start the clock on that minimum spend. Once you see that "Companion Pass Earned" notification, you’ll never want to pay for a second ticket again.