SOUTHWEST COMPANION PASS FOR TWO YEARS
Imagine bringing your favorite person with you on every flight and only paying for one ticket. With the Southwest Companion Pass, you can fly two for the price of one for nearly two full years!
Think bucket-list destinations like Hawaii, New York, or a Disney trip in Florida or California, where your significant other, family member, or friend flies with you for nearly free.
The Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks in the points and miles world, and in this guide, I’ll show you exactly how it works, how to earn it, and how to make the most of it.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass lets you bring one person with you on every Southwest flight, and their ticket is essentially free, you only pay the taxes and fees, which are typically $5.60 each way (that’s just $11.20 roundtrip).
Once earned, it’s valid for the rest of the calendar year you earned it and all of the following year.
For example, if you earn it in January 2026, it’s good through December 31, 2027, giving you nearly two full years of unlimited buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) flights, whether you book with cash or points.
How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass
To qualify, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. The easiest way to get there is to strategically open two credit card (sometimes one depending on elevated offers) and earning the welcome offers in the same calendar year.
Each year, Southwest cardholders receive a 10,000-point boost toward the Companion Pass. These points count toward earning the pass, but cannot be used to book award travel.
Things to keep in mind:
You can only hold one personal Southwest card at a time
You’ll need one personal card + one business card OR two Southwest business cards
You must be under Chase’s 5/24 Rule (fewer than 5 new personal cards in the last 24 months).
Strategy 1: One Personal + One Business Credit Card
The easiest and most popular method is to open both a personal and a business Southwest credit card. You’re eligible for the welcome bonus if it’s been more than 24 months since you last received the bonus on that specific card.
If you currently have the card, you’ll need to close it and wait about 30 days before reapplying to become eligible for the bonus again. Not sure if you qualify for a business card? Most people actually do! Check out my blog post on business cards to learn more.
I suggest starting with a business card and then picking up the personal card. This is because business card approvals can be trickier, so it helps to find out early if you’re able to earn the Companion Pass with welcome offers.
Step-by-Step (timing is key)
Mid to Late October: Open the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card to earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
Start working on your minimum spend requirement right away but DO NOT meet the minimum spend until AFTER January 1. This is so all your points post in the beginning of the correct calendar year and you’ll have companion pass for almost two years.
January: Apply for a Southwest personal card. Normally, I wait 90 days between new cards, but this is one exception where I shorten the gap. Wait at least 30 days after your business card approval before applying for the personal card. There are three personal Southwest cards. I would apply for the card with the highest sign-up bonus.
Meet the minimum spend requirement on both cards and earn 135,000 points!
Southwest Business Cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
Southwest Personal Cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Strategy 2: Two Business Credit Cards
This is a great option if you want to stay under Chase’s 5/24 rule, or if you're not eligible to open any personal Southwest card because it's been less than 24 months since you last earned a bonus on one. With the right timing, you can earn the Companion Pass by opening two business cards.
Step-by-Step:
Mid to Late October: Apply for either business card and start working toward the minimum spend. You’ll typically have three months to meet it, but be sure not to complete the minimum spend until AFTER January 1, so your points post in the new year.
Mid to Late November: Wait about 30 days, then apply for your second business card. Once again, make sure not to complete the minimum spend until AFTER January 1.
The standard offer Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
The standard offer Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
80,000 points + 60,000 points = 140,000 points!
Earning Two Companion Passes (Three cards, 2-Player Strategy)
This is an excellent strategy for couples or families. You’ll need a Player 2 (like a partner or spouse), but the payoff is huge. With two Companion Passes, you and your partner can fly two kids (or friends/family) for almost two years!
Step-by-Step:
Mid to Late October: Player 1 opens a Southwest Business Performance card (80,000 points) and meet minimum spend AFTER January 1
January: Player 1 refers Player 2 to two cards- the Southwest Business Performance card (80,000 points) and any personal card (or the other business card). Player 2 will earn 45,000-50,000 referral points.
For Player 1 that adds up to: 80,000 (bonus points) + 45,000 (referral) + 10,000 (boost) + 5,000 (spend) = 140,000 points!
For Player 2 that adds up to: 80,000(bonus points)+ 50,000 (bonus) + 10,000 (boost) + 6,000 (spend) = 146,000 points!
How the Companion Pass works once you earn it
Once you hit 135,000 qualifying points, the Companion Pass is added to your account. You can:
Book any flight using cash or points
Add your designated companion for just taxes and fees ($5.60 one way or $11.20 roundtrip)
Change your companion up to 3 times per calendar year
Book the flight first, then go back and add your companion later
Important Tips
Understand the 5/24 Rule: Chase generally denies credit card applications if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months. Try to stay under 5/24 before applying for Southwest cards to improve your chances of approval.
Bonus Rule: You can only earn a welcome bonus on a Southwest personal or business card if it’s been at least 24 months since you last received the bonus on that specific card. You also can’t hold two Southwest personal cards at the same time, so you’ll need to close one before reapplying (if eligible).
Timing Is Everything:
Do not hit your minimum spend before January. If your points post in December, you’ll only get the Companion Pass through the end of December for that year and all of the following year, losing a whole year of benefits.
Once you’re about $500 away from meeting the minimum spend, pause your spending, switch to another card, and complete the minimum spend AFTER January 1.
Be careful with subscriptions or autopay. They can trigger a charge earlier than expected and accidentally complete your minimum spending too soon.
Final Thoughts
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable travel hacks for couples, families, and frequent flyers. With smart planning and the right credit card strategy, you can unlock nearly two years of BOGO flights!