What Is the Southwest Companion Pass? (2025-2026 Guide)

If you fly Southwest even a few times a year with a plus-one, the Companion Pass® might be one of the most valuable perks in all of travel. It’s basically a buy-one-get-one-free ticket: unlimited flights, for up to two years, with your designated companion only paying taxes and fees (from $5.60 one-way).
 

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• ✅ How it works
• 📅 Earning strategies for 2025-2026
• 💳 Best credit cards to help you qualify
• 📌 Key fine print you must know to avoid mistakes
• 💡 Advanced tips to maximize the benefit

What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free of airline charges (plus taxes/fees from $5.60 one-way) every time you fly, paid or award, unlimited times.

That includes:

• Domestic and international flights
• Fares booked with dollars, points, vouchers, or even Cash + Points
• Last-minute trips and sales fares
   

The only catch? You must qualify by either:

• Earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, or
• Taking 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year.
   

Once you qualify, you get Companion Pass for the rest of that year plus the entire next year.

👉 Qualify in January 2025 = valid through December 31, 2026

👉 Qualify in December 2025 = valid through December 31, 2026

How to Qualify: Two Paths

Important: Not all points count. Here's what does and does not qualify:
 

✅ Points That Count

• Revenue flights on Southwest (base fare only)
• Credit card spend from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
• Sign-up bonuses from Southwest credit cards
• Base points from hotel, rental car, dining, and shopping partners (when booked through Southwest or linked via Rapid Rewards)
   

❌ Points That Do Not Count

• Transferred points (e.g., from friends, hotel programs, Chase Ultimate Rewards®)
• Promotional bonus points (unless from Southwest cards)
• Purchased points
• Tier bonus points
• Points from flights taken as a Companion

Credit Cards That Help You Earn Faster

If you’re serious about earning Companion Pass, one of the easiest paths is a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card. All of them:

• Earn CPQPs on eligible spend
• Include a 10,000-point Companion Pass Boost every calendar year
• Offer large welcome bonuses 

Personal Cards

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Business Cards

• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
   

📌 Pro Tip: Pairing 1 personal + 1 business Southwest card is the most effective way to get the Companion Pass via intro bonuses. But be careful: applying too late in the year may cause points to post in the next calendar year, missing your window. Aim for early January to complete intro bonus spend.

Companion Pass Optimization

🧨 Timing Is Everything

If you earn the pass early in the year, you’ll lock in nearly two full years of value. That’s why most power users time their card applications and minimum spend requirement to hit the 135,000 points by January or February.
 

🔁 You Can Change Your Companion

You’re allowed to change your designated Companion up to three times per calendar year. Perfect for couples, family, and even friends.
 

📱 How to Book Your Companion

1. Log into your Rapid Rewards account
2. Book your flight (cash or points)
3. Click “Add Companion” in your upcoming trips
4. Pay their taxes/fees (from $5.60 one-way)

That’s it. The system generates a second ticket for your Companion. It must be linked to your reservation, so they board with you.
 

🚨 Pro Tip: Companions do not earn points for their flights. You also can’t book a Companion ticket on top of another Companion ticket.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

What’s Changing in 2026?

As of January 27, 2026, Southwest is shifting from open seating to assigned seating. This impacts Companion Pass travelers:

• Both you and your Companion will be assigned seats together based on the best available boarding benefit either of you has.
• This means A-List status, EarlyBird Check-In, or Business Select can improve both of your boarding outcomes.

This policy makes Companion Pass even more seamless; no more scrambling for seats side-by-side.

Is the Companion Pass Worth It?

Absolutely, if you fly Southwest at least twice a year with someone else. A few sample savings:

Even casual flyers can break even after one or two roundtrips.

Final Thoughts

The Southwest Companion Pass is hands-down one of the best travel perks available, especially for domestic U.S. flyers and families. With a bit of planning and the right card setup, you can unlock nearly two years of unlimited BOGO flights. 
 

If you’re planning any travel on Southwest Airlines in 2025 or 2026, this is a must-have.