• September 26, 2025

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass Fast: 2024 Strategies & Credit Card Guide

Alright, let's talk about the Southwest Companion Pass. Honestly? It’s the golden ticket of travel rewards. Seriously. If you fly Southwest even a few times a year with someone else, this thing can save you hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. But figuring out how to earn Southwest Companion Pass status? That’s where folks get stuck. It’s not always straightforward, and Southwest changes the rules sometimes. I’ve earned it myself a couple of times, and yeah, it takes some planning. Forget the fluff – this guide cuts to the chase on the fastest and smartest ways to get it done in 2024.

What Exactly IS the Southwest Companion Pass? (And Why You Want It)

Think of it as a BOGO deal for flying, but way better. For the duration of your pass (which can be almost two full years if you time it right!), you can pick one person to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. We're talking $5.60 to $11.20 per segment, usually. Your companion isn't locked in stone either – you can change who it is up to three times per year. Sweet deal, right?

But here's the real kicker: it works on any Southwest flight. Revenue tickets? Yep. Award tickets booked with your Rapid Rewards points? Absolutely. Doesn't matter. As long as there's a seat available for purchase, your companion can snag it for pennies.

What Does "Earning" the Companion Pass Actually Mean?

You qualify for the Companion Pass by hitting one of two thresholds set by Southwest Airlines within a single calendar year:

  • Take 100 qualifying one-way flights with Southwest.
  • Or, earn 125,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points.

Let's be real: flying 100 segments is a massive grind unless you're a serious road warrior. For pretty much everyone else, aiming for the 125,000 points is the practical path to figuring out how to earn Southwest Companion Pass status. That's our focus.

The Fastest Path: Southwest Credit Cards (Your Best Bet)

Hands down, the quickest way to rack up those 125,000 points is through Southwest's co-branded credit cards issued by Chase. Why? Because the welcome bonuses alone can get you most of the way there. Chase is the only game in town for these cards.

The catch? Chase has this rule called "5/24." If you've opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in the last 24 months, you likely won't be approved. Gotta check that first.

The Current Southwest Card Lineup (Chase)

Southwest offers a few personal cards and business cards. Playing your cards right (pun intended) often means getting more than one. Here's the lowdown:

Card Name Welcome Bonus (As of Mid-2024) Annual Fee Key Perks
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $149 $75 Southwest annual credit, 7,500 anniversary points, 4 Upgraded Boardings per year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $199 $149 Southwest credit, 9,000 anniversary points, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee credit, in-flight WiFi credits.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $99 3,000 anniversary points.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $99 3,000 anniversary points.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $69 3,000 anniversary points.

See how those bonuses stack up? A personal card (like the Priority, Premier, or Plus offering 50k points) plus the Performance Business card (80k points) nets you 130,000 points just from meeting the spending requirements! That instantly unlocks the Companion Pass. It’s arguably the most effective strategy for **how to earn Southwest Companion Pass** status quickly.

Strategic Timing is CRUCIAL

This is where most people mess up. You need those bonus points to post to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account within the same calendar year.

Smart Move: Aim to meet the minimum spend and have the bonuses post early-ish in the year. Why? Because the pass is valid for the remainder of the year you earn it PLUS the entire following year. If you earn it in January 2024, you keep it until December 31st, 2025. That’s nearly 24 months of BOGO flights!

Apply late in the year? Say November or December? Your bonus points might hit in January of the next year, meaning you only get the pass for that next year, losing out on almost a full year of benefits. Timing matters big time.

One more wrinkle: Chase often excludes application approvals in the last quarter for bonuses counting towards the pass for that year. Apply early.

Beyond Credit Cards: Other Ways to Rack Up Points

Cards are king, but they aren't the only game. Combining strategies solidifies your path or helps you top off if bonuses fall short.

Flying Southwest (Obviously)

Every dollar spent on Southwest flights (base fare + carrier-imposed fees) earns you 6 Rapid Rewards points if you have no status. Points earned from flying always count toward the Companion Pass.

  • Status Boost: Earn A-List or A-List Preferred status? You earn bonus points on flights (25% or 100% more), making each flight more valuable for hitting 125k.
  • Promotions: Southwest runs frequent flyer promos – double points on certain routes, bonus points for booking during a window, etc. Sign up for emails!

Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal

This is an underused goldmine. Shop online through the Southwest shopping portal at hundreds of retailers (like Amazon, Walmart, Apple, Nike, Home Depot), and you earn bonus points per dollar spent. Rates fluctuate constantly.

Frankly, their portal interface isn't the slickest, and sometimes tracking is glitchy (always take screenshots!), but the points can add up significantly if you do a lot of online shopping. Always check the portal before clicking "buy" elsewhere.

Southwest Dining Program

Link your credit card(s) to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program. When you eat at participating restaurants (there are thousands), you earn extra points. Sign-up bonuses are common too.

Rapid Rewards Partners: Hotels, Cars, More

Southwest partners with hotels (like Marriott, Hilton – though transfers are often poor value), car rentals (Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise), and even a wine club. You can earn points through these partners, but the earnings rates vary wildly. Usually, it's better to earn hotel/rental car points directly unless you're desperate for a few extra Southwest points.

Transferring Points? Not Really

Southwest Rapid Rewards is mostly a closed system. You cannot transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, or Capital One directly into Southwest. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer 3:1 to Southwest (meaning 3 Marriott points = 1 Southwest point), but this is almost always a terrible value. Stick to earning Southwest points directly.

Buying Points? Only in Extremis

Southwest does let you buy Rapid Rewards points. The cost? Usually around 2.75 cents per point or more. That means buying 125,000 points could cost over $3,400 – definitely not worth it financially just to get the Companion Pass. Only consider this if you're literally a few thousand points short and have a specific expensive trip planned where the companion savings outweigh the insane cost.

Putting It All Together: A Realistic Action Plan for How to Earn Southwest Companion Pass

Okay, let's get tactical. Here's a step-by-step based on different scenarios:

The "Go Big or Go Home" Strategy (Fastest Path)

  1. Check Your 5/24 Status: Use Credit Karma or similar to see how many new cards you've opened in the last 24 months. Under 5? Proceed.
  2. Pick Your Cards: Apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card (80k bonus) and one personal card (e.g., Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card - 50k bonus).
    • Timing: Apply early in the year (Jan/Feb is ideal). Apply for the business card first if possible, as business cards don't always report to personal credit.
  3. Meet Minimum Spends Strategically: $5,000 on the Biz card + $1,000 on the personal card = $6,000 total spend needed within 3 months. Plan your normal spending (bills, groceries, gas) or planned purchases.
  4. Points Post: Once you hit the spends and the bonuses land in your Southwest account, boom! You should have 130,000+ points. Companion Pass unlocked!
  5. Designate Your Companion: Do this online in your Rapid Rewards account once the pass is active. Easy.

The "Solo Flyer" Strategy (Only Personal Cards)

Not eligible for a business card? You can still do this with two personal cards, but you need to be aware of Chase's rules:

  • Chase typically won't approve you for two Southwest personal cards on the same day.
  • Apply for your first personal card (e.g., the Priority Card). Wait about 3 months. Then apply for your second personal card (e.g., the Premier or Plus Card).
  • Both welcome bonuses (50k + 50k) = 100,000 points. You'll need another 25,000 points.
  • Fill the Gap: Use the cards for everyday spend (they earn 2x points on Southwest & hotel partner purchases, 1x everywhere else), leverage the shopping portal, dining program, and any Southwest flying you do. This takes more time and spending effort than the biz card combo.

The "Points Combo" Strategy (Credit Cards + Other Earnings)

Maybe you only got one card, or the bonuses weren't quite enough. This is where combining sources shines:

  • Focus on High-Earning Categories: Use your Southwest card(s) for their bonus categories (like hotels booked thru Southwest or commuter transport on the Priority card).
  • Portal Power: Be obsessive about using the Southwest shopping portal. Big purchase? Check the portal rate first. Holiday shopping? Portal. Rates can sometimes hit 10 points per dollar or more.
  • Stack Promos: If Southwest offers a flying bonus (e.g., double points on weekends), combine it with points earned from your card spend on that ticket purchase. Stacking multipliers is key.
  • Evaluate Every Flight: If Southwest isn't always cheapest, calculate if paying slightly more earns enough extra points to justify it for your Companion Pass goal.

Maximizing Your Companion Pass: Once You've Earned It

Congratulations! You figured out how to earn Southwest Companion Pass status. Now, make it work for you:

  • Book Award Flights: The sweetest spot. Use *your* points for the primary ticket (often found at great value), companion flies for ~$11.20. Incredible value.
  • Add Companion After Booking: You don't need to book both tickets at once. Book your flight first (cash or points). Once confirmed, log in to your Southwest account, find your reservation, and click "Add Companion." Select your designated companion. Done.
  • Changing Companions: Need to fly with someone else? You can change your designated companion up to 3 times per year. Do this online before booking their flight.
  • Standby for Your Companion: If your companion wants to fly on an earlier/later flight the same day with available seats, they can usually fly standby for free. Check with the gate agent.
  • Points Keep Earning: Keep using your Southwest cards! Points earned during your pass year(s) contribute towards requalifying for the next pass. Start stacking for the future.

Your Southwest Companion Pass Questions Answered (FAQs)

Do points earned from credit card welcome bonuses count towards the 125,000?

Absolutely yes! This is the cornerstone of the fastest strategies. Points earned from sign-up bonuses on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards count as qualifying points.

Do points transferred from hotel programs (like Marriott) count?

Technically, yes. When you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Southwest, they become Southwest Rapid Rewards points and count. BUT, the transfer ratio is awful (3 Marriott : 1 Southwest). You'd need a massive stash of Marriott points for this to be worthwhile. It's generally a last resort or only for very specific point balances.

Does the Companion Pass work on international flights?

Yes! Southwest flies to international destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America (Cabo, Cancun, Punta Cana, Nassau, etc.). The Companion Pass works exactly the same – companion flies for just taxes and fees (usually international fees are a bit higher, like $70-$100+ roundtrip, but still a massive discount).

Can I have more than one companion?

Nope. The pass allows you to designate one companion at a time. You can change who that companion is up to three times within your pass validity period.

Can I use the Companion Pass with already purchased tickets?

Yes! This is a great feature. If you or someone else has already booked a revenue ticket (paid with cash), you can generally add your companion to that reservation later using the pass, as long as you are the one flying on that reservation.

If I earn the pass in February 2024, how long is it valid?

You keep the Companion Pass for the remainder of 2024 and the entire calendar year of 2025. It expires on December 31st, 2025. Earning early maximizes the benefit.

What happens if I cancel the credit card I used to earn points?

Once the points are deposited into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, they are yours. Canceling the credit card does not remove the points or invalidate your Companion Pass. Your pass status is based solely on the points you earned and credited within the qualifying year.

Is there a way to get the Companion Pass faster than with credit cards?

For almost everyone, no. Flying 100 segments is immensely time-consuming and expensive unless it's part of your regular job travel. Earning 125,000 points purely through flying, shopping portals, and dining would require enormous ongoing spending. Credit card welcome bonuses provide the necessary large chunk upfront. That's why understanding **how to earn Southwest Companion Pass** strategically revolves around these cards.

Can I combine points from family members?

No. Southwest Rapid Rewards points cannot be pooled or combined between accounts. Each person must earn the pass based on points accumulating in their individual account.

Do points earned from Southwest Hotels count?

Points earned directly through Southwest's hotel booking portal (part of the Rapid Rewards program) count as qualifying points. Points earned through hotel loyalty programs (like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy) and then transferred later do not count until they are transferred and land in your Southwest account.

The Potential Downsides (Being Honest)

It's not all sunshine and free flights. Keep these in mind:

  • Credit Card Annual Fees: The cards that offer the best bonuses have fees ($69-$199). Factor this cost into your savings calculation. Often, the first year's companion pass savings massively outweigh the fee, but recurring fees need justification.
  • Credit Impact: Applying for new cards causes a hard inquiry (temporary ding) and lowers your average account age. Manage applications wisely.
  • 5/24 Rule: This is a big hurdle for many. Check before getting excited about card strategies.
  • Minimum Spend Requirement: You need to be able to organically spend $3,000-$6,000+ within a few months without going into debt or buying stuff you don't need. Interest charges will kill any value.
  • Companion Availability: Your companion only flies free if there's a seat available for sale on the flight. This is rarely an issue on Southwest, which doesn't overbook like some airlines, but it can happen on peak holiday flights or very popular routes/times. Book early for peak travel.
  • Southwest's Network: They don't fly everywhere. Make sure they serve airports convenient for you and your intended destinations.

My Take: I earned the pass using the business + personal card combo a few years back. The fees stung a bit upfront, but taking my partner on 4 roundtrips that year (including one to Hawaii!) made it worth exponentially more. The key is having actual travel plans to leverage it. If you won't fly Southwest at least 2-3 times with a companion in the next two years, the effort might not pay off.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Figuring out how to earn Southwest Companion Pass status involves effort, planning, and often managing credit cards. It's not magic.

But... if you frequently travel with a spouse, partner, family member, or friend on Southwest routes, the savings are phenomenal. Think about it: even just two domestic roundtrips could save you $500-$1000+. Factor in a trip to Hawaii, Mexico, or the Caribbean, and the savings jump into the thousands.

Is it for everyone? No. But if you fly Southwest reasonably often with a companion, have good credit, understand the credit card game, and can meet the minimum spends, it's arguably one of the most valuable rewards in travel. Start planning early, target those welcome bonuses, and enjoy the BOGO skies!

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