If you want to unlock incredible travel savings for nearly two full years, this guide will walk you through the process of earning and maximizing the Southwest Companion Pass, including the newest changes coming in 2025 and 2026.

Why Fly Southwest

Before diving into the Companion Pass, here are standout perks of flying with Southwest Airlines:

• No cancellation fees – Cancel your flights booked with points and get your miles back instantly.
• Two free checked bags – No baggage fees on your first two checked bags.
• No change fees – Flexibility to modify your bookings without penalty.

Important 2025 Update:
Southwest is introducing a Basic Fare (formerly “Wanna Get Away”) that no longer allows fare changes if the price drops. To get the lower rate, you must cancel and rebook your ticket. This is a major change for travelers who often monitor price drops.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year (up from 125,000 previously).

Once earned, the pass is valid for:

• The remainder of the year in which you earn it, and
• The entire following calendar year

Example: If you earn the pass in early 2025, you’ll have it for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026.

Ways to Earn Rapid Rewards Points Toward the Companion Pass

You can accumulate qualifying points through the following methods:

1. Welcome Bonuses from Southwest Credit Cards
   • Apply for Southwest personal and/or business cards
   • Meet the minimum spending requirement to unlock a large points bonus
2. Credit Card Referrals
   • Refer others to apply for Southwest cards
   • Earn 20,000 points per approved referral (these count toward the Companion Pass)
3. Everyday Spending on Southwest Cards
   • Earn points on all purchases using your Southwest credit card
4. Southwest Shopping Portal
   • Shop online through the portal to earn bonus points on common purchases
5. Southwest Travel Portal
   • Book hotels, rental cars, and more via SouthwestHotels.com or the travel portal
6. Paid Southwest Flights
   • Earn points based on your fare and fare class
7. Rapid Rewards Dining Program
   • Earn points when dining at participating restaurants

Points That Do Not Count Toward the Companion Pass

Avoid wasting effort on the following types of points, as they do not count toward the Companion Pass:

• Points transferred from Chase or other banks
• Points purchased directly from Southwest
• Points earned from hotel or rental car program conversions
• Points transferred between Rapid Rewards members

Timing: When to Start Working Toward the Companion Pass

To maximize value, timing is everything:

To Earn for 2026 and 2027:

• Open your Southwest credit cards in October 2025 or later
• Avoid meeting the minimum spend requirement in 2025
• Let the bonus post in January 2026 or later to ensure it qualifies toward your 2026 Companion Pass

Additional Tips:

• Open your card no earlier than October 12, 2025
• Allow extra time for transactions to post so bonuses appear in the correct calendar year

Two-Player Strategy to Maximize Points

If you travel as a couple or with a partner, try this:

1. One person opens a Southwest card and earns the welcome bonus
2. That person refers the second traveler, earning referral points
3. The second person opens a card and earns their own bonus

Important: Referral points count toward the Companion Pass in the year the referral is made, so be mindful of timing.

How to Keep Earning the Companion Pass Year After Year

You can continue earning the Companion Pass on an ongoing basis using a card rotation strategy:

• You can earn Southwest welcome bonuses every 24 months (from the date your last bonus posted)
• You can only hold one personal Southwest card at a time
• You may hold both Southwest business cards simultaneously
• Consider canceling a card before the second annual fee posts if the benefits no longer outweigh the cost

Who Can Be Your Companion?

You can designate anyone as your companion — spouse, child, friend, coworker, or family member.

• You may change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year
• You can now make these changes online — no need to call customer service

Travel Strategy for Southwest

Once you earn the Companion Pass, pair it with these additional strategies to maximize your points:

• Use the Low Fare Calendar to find the cheapest flight dates
• Book with Points + Cash to stretch your rewards
• Track Fare Drops — but with Basic Fares, you’ll need to cancel and rebook
• Check in 24 hours in advance to secure a better boarding position

2026 Preview:
Assigned seating will replace Southwest’s open-seating policy. You’ll be able to select your seat when you book. This could be great for families but may reduce the value of Early Bird Check-In.

Upcoming Changes: 2025 and 2026

2025 Changes to Be Aware Of:

• Fewer Wanna Get Away Plus fares during peak travel times
• New Basic Fare eliminates the ability to reprice flights if points drop

Pros:

• Companion Pass remains a powerful value for families
• No change or cancellation fees (except on Basic Fares)
• A strong option if you live near a Southwest hub

Cons:

• Higher points threshold makes earning the Companion Pass more demanding
• Fewer flexible fares, especially around holidays
• New Basic Fare rules reduce flexibility for fare watchers

2026 Changes Coming:

• Assigned Seating: You’ll choose a specific seat at booking
• Premium Cabin: Extra-legroom seats will be available for purchase, offering greater comfort and priority boarding

Pros of the New System:

• Families and groups can sit together without stress
• Comfort upgrades available without switching airlines

Cons:

• Southwest loyalists may miss the open-seating simplicity
• Early Bird Check-In may lose some value

Questions to Consider

• Do I fly 1–2 times per year with a partner or child?
• Would assigned seating make family travel easier?
• Is it worth paying slightly more to avoid Basic Fare restrictions?

Final Thoughts

The Southwest Companion Pass remains one of the most valuable travel perks for domestic travel — especially for families or couples. With some changes on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and optimize your approach.

My family of four regularly flies roundtrip for just $45 in taxes. Imagine what you could do with nearly two years of buy-one-get-one-free flights.

Next Steps

• Thinking of opening a card but don’t have a referral link? Send me a DM — I’ll send you mine and thank you for supporting my content.
• Save this post and share it with someone who needs to hear about this incredible perk.