Everyone wants a piece of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass. It’s basically the "holy grail" of domestic travel. You get it, and your spouse, kid, or best friend flies with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. That’s usually $5.60 each way. Seriously.
But honestly? Most people overcomplicate the process or, worse, they miss the timing and end up chasing points they can't use.
I’ve seen people spend thousands on random credit card swipes thinking they’re "hacking" the system, only to realize they started in November and their progress resets on January 1st. That hurts. Let's talk about how this thing actually works in the real world, away from the glossy brochures and the 50-page fine print documents that Southwest sends out.
The Math Behind the Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass
To snag this pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points in a single calendar year. Or you can fly 100 qualifying one-way flights. Most people aren't flying 100 times a year unless they’re a traveling consultant or perhaps a very busy regional musician. So, we focus on the points.
Here is the kicker: Southwest gives credit card holders a "boost" of 10,000 points every year. So, if you have one of the Chase Southwest cards, you really only need to find 125,000 points.
What actually counts toward the total?
Points earned from flying count. Points earned from credit card spending count. Big fat sign-up bonuses from the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards? Those count too. This is the secret sauce.
What doesn't count? Purchased points. Don't buy them. It’s a trap. Transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards (like your Sapphire Preferred) also won't get you closer to the pass. Those points are great for booking flights, but they are "non-qualifying" for the pass itself.
Timing is Everything—The January Strategy
If you earn the pass in November, you get it for the rest of that year and the following year. That’s cool. But if you earn it in January? You get it for almost two full years.
Smart travelers aim for that early-year finish.
Imagine it’s December. You’re sitting at 120,000 points. You might be tempted to spend a few thousand dollars on your card to hit the goal. Stop. If you hit that goal on December 31st, your pass expires in about 12 months. If that last transaction posts on January 2nd, you’ve got the pass for 23 or 24 months.
💡 You might also like: Why the Nutty Putty Cave Seal is Permanent: What Most People Get Wrong About the John Jones Site
I once knew a guy who missed the timing by three days because he didn't account for the "statement closing date" on his credit card. He got the pass for one year instead of two. He was, understandably, pretty annoyed.
The statement date is the boss here. If your credit card statement closes on the 28th of the month, whatever you spent on the 29th won't show up in your Southwest account until the next month. You have to align your spending with the calendar year, not just your personal logic.
The Credit Card Shuffle
Southwest offers three personal cards and two business cards.
- The Plus (Cheapest annual fee, lowest perks)
- The Premier (Middle ground)
- The Priority (Highest fee, but gives you $75 in travel credit and four upgraded boardings)
- Performance Business
- Premier Business
You generally can't hold two personal Southwest cards at the same time. Chase has "velocity" rules. You’ve likely heard of the 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, Chase will likely show you the door.
The "pro move" involves getting one business card and one personal card. If the sign-up bonus on a business card is 80,000 points and the personal card is 50,000, you’ve already hit your 130,000. Add in the 10,000-point boost for being a cardholder, and you’ve crossed the finish line without even trying.
Realities of the Companion Pass Lifestyle
Having the pass changes how you think about weekends. "Hey, do you want to go to Denver for lunch?" becomes a legitimate question when the second ticket is five bucks.
But there are limitations.
Southwest doesn't fly everywhere. If you live in a hub like Dallas (Love Field), Chicago (Midway), or Baltimore, you’re golden. If you live in a city where Southwest only has two flights a day to one destination, the pass loses some of its luster.
Also, the "Companion" isn't a permanent fixture. You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. It’s flexible, but it’s not infinite. You can’t just swap friends every Tuesday.
📖 Related: Atlantic Puffin Fratercula Arctica: Why These Clown-Faced Birds Are Way Tougher Than They Look
The Rapid Rewards Portal: A Sneaky Shortcut
If you aren't a big spender and you aren't opening new cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping portal is your best friend.
It’s a browser extension or a website. You click through it before buying stuff at stores like Home Depot, Macy's, or Apple. You get extra points per dollar spent. During the holidays, these rates often jump. I’ve seen 10 or 15 points per dollar.
If you’re buying a $1,000 laptop, that’s 10,000 qualifying points toward your Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass. Just for clicking a button.
There are also hotel stays booked through Southwest Hotels. Sometimes you can find "Point Plus" properties that offer 5,000 or 10,000 points for a single weekend stay. Just make sure you’re checking the "Companion Pass Qualifying" box if it's there. Usually, these points count, but always verify the specific offer.
Common Misconceptions That Kill the Dream
Misconception 1: You need to keep the points in your account.
Nope. Once you earn them, they’re yours to spend. You could earn 135,000 points, spend them all on flights to Hawaii, and you still get the pass. The pass is based on the cumulative points earned in the year, not your current balance.
Misconception 2: You have to fly with your companion on every flight.
You can fly alone. The pass just gives you the option to bring someone. However, you must be on the flight for them to use the pass. You can’t book your companion a ticket and then stay home on the couch. They’ll get kicked off the flight or charged full price.
Misconception 3: It’s hard to book.
It’s actually stupidly easy. You book your flight first. Then, in your account, there’s a big button that says "Add Companion." You click it, pay the $5.60, and you’re done.
What Most People Get Wrong About Southwest
Southwest is different. No assigned seats. Two free checked bags. No change fees.
The Companion Pass is an extension of that "open" philosophy. But because there’s no assigned seating, your companion might end up in a different boarding group if you don't check in at the exact same time.
👉 See also: Madison WI to Denver: How to Actually Pull Off the Trip Without Losing Your Mind
If you have the Southwest Priority card, you get those four upgraded boardings (A1-A15). Use them for yourself and your companion on long hauls. It makes a difference.
Nuance: The Tax and Fee Reality
While the flight is "free," it’s only free in terms of base fare.
If you’re flying to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America on Southwest, the international taxes can be $100 or more. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass covers the fare, but you’re still on the hook for those government fees. It’s still a massive discount, but it’s not a "zero dollar" transaction like it is for a flight from Vegas to Phoenix.
Why the Pass Matters in 2026
With travel costs rising, the value of a BOGO (Buy One Get One) deal is higher than ever. Airlines are getting stingier with loyalty programs. Delta and United have made it harder to reach top-tier status.
Southwest has stayed relatively consistent. They want you in their ecosystem.
The pass is a psychological trigger. Once you have it, you will choose Southwest 100% of the time because it feels like leaving money on the table if you don't. That’s exactly what the airline wants.
Actionable Steps to Secure Your Pass
Don't just read this and think, "That sounds nice." If you want the Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass, you need a plan.
- Check your 5/24 status. If you’ve opened too many cards, wait.
- Open a Southwest Business Card first. These usually have higher spending requirements but massive point payouts.
- Time your spending. Ensure your "minimum spend" requirement is met in the first week of January.
- Open a Personal Card second. This bridges the gap to the 135,000-point mark.
- Use the shopping portal. For every online purchase, go through the Rapid Rewards site.
- Book "Point Plus" hotels. If you have a business trip or a weekend getaway, use the Southwest hotel portal to snag those 3,000–10,000 point bonuses.
Once the pass hits your account, go into your profile and designate your person. Choose wisely, but remember you can change it if things get weird.
Keep an eye on your email for "promotional" companion pass offers. Sometimes Southwest offers a "short-term" pass (good for 2-3 months) just for flying one or two round trips. It’s a great way to test-drive the lifestyle before committing to the full points grind.
Travel doesn't have to be a luxury expense. It can just be something you do because it's Tuesday and you've got a pass that makes the world half-off.
Next Steps for Your Travel Strategy:
Check your current Rapid Rewards point balance and look at your credit card statement closing dates. If you are close to the threshold, delay any major purchases until your January statement period begins to maximize the length of your pass. If you're starting from zero, research the current sign-up bonuses for the Southwest Performance Business and Priority Personal cards to see if a "two-card play" is feasible for your credit profile.