Unlocking the Power of the Southwest Companion Pass with Southwest Rapid Rewards

Unlocking the Power of the Southwest Companion Pass with Southwest Rapid Rewards

If you’re a frequent flyer with Southwest Airlines, you’ve probably heard about the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. It’s one of the most valuable benefits of the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, and for good reason. The Companion Pass allows you to bring a designated companion with you on any Southwest flight for free, other than the taxes and fees, making it an incredible way to maximize your travel rewards. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the details of the Southwest Companion Pass, how you can earn it, and how it can enhance your travel experiences.

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is a special perk that allows you to take a friend, family member, or anyone of your choosing on your flights for free (excluding taxes and fees). Whether you’re booking a flight with Southwest Rapid Rewards points or purchasing a ticket with cash, you can use the Companion Pass to add a second person to your flight at no additional cost.

This means that for every flight you book, whether for business or leisure, you can essentially travel for half the price by bringing your companion along without worrying about paying for their ticket.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

Earning the Southwest Companion Pass might sound like a dream, but it’s entirely achievable with a bit of effort and strategy. To qualify for the pass, you need to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points or complete 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year. This may sound like a lot, but don’t worry, there are several ways to rack up points quickly.

1. Flying with Southwest Airlines

The most straightforward way to earn points is by flying with Southwest. Every time you book a Southwest flight, you’ll earn Rapid Rewards points based on the fare you pay. The more expensive the fare, the more points you’ll earn. Business Select fares earn more points than Wanna Get Away or Anytime fares, so if you’re aiming for the Companion Pass, booking higher-fare tickets could speed up the process.

2. Using the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card

Another way to rack up points is by using a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. There are several options to choose from, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. Each card offers different bonuses, but all allow you to earn points for every purchase you make.

• Welcome Bonuses: New cardholders often receive a large number of points as a welcome bonus when they meet a minimum spend requirement within the first few months.
• Everyday Purchases: In addition to earning points on Southwest purchases, these cards let you earn points on everyday purchases such as dining, gas, and groceries. Some cards also offer bonus points for spending on Southwest-related expenses like hotel stays and car rentals.

By using the Southwest credit card for your regular purchases, you can significantly increase your points balance and move closer to achieving your Companion Pass.

3. Special Promotions and Offers

Occasionally, Southwest runs promotions that offer bonus Rapid Rewards points for certain activities. For example, you might earn extra points by booking a hotel stay or renting a car through Southwest’s travel partners. Additionally, during limited-time offers, you can earn more points when booking flights or making purchases with your Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card.

Keep an eye out for these promotions, as they can help you reach the 135,000-point threshold more quickly and efficiently.

4. Point Transfers

While Southwest Rapid Rewards points don’t always transfer from other programs, there are a few ways to increase your point total. Southwest has partnerships with hotel loyalty programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy and Hyatt, allowing you to transfer points from those programs into your Rapid Rewards account. This can be a helpful way to top off your points balance if you’re close to qualifying for the Companion Pass.

5. Point Pooling

If you have family members or friends who are also Southwest Rapid Rewards members, you can pool your points together. This is a great way to reach the 135,000-point threshold faster by combining your efforts. You can pool points directly from your account into another member’s account, helping everyone involved earn their Companion Pass quicker.

Using the Companion Pass

Once you’ve earned the Southwest Companion Pass, you can start using it immediately. Here’s how it works:

• Book a Flight: When you book a flight with Southwest Rapid Rewards points or purchase a ticket with cash, you can add your companion for free. You’ll simply need to select the Companion Pass option when booking your ticket or after completing your reservation.
• Choose Your Companion: You can choose a different companion for each flight, but once you select a companion, they remain your travel partner for the duration of the flight you’ve booked. To change companions, you can update your selection by logging into your Southwest account.
• Taxes and Fees: While your companion flies for free, you’ll still need to pay the applicable taxes and fees for their ticket. These can vary depending on the flight’s route, but they’re typically a small amount compared to the full price of a ticket.

The Benefits of the Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is an incredibly valuable tool for frequent travelers, and it comes with a range of benefits:

1. Cost Savings

The biggest advantage of the Companion Pass is the ability to bring a companion on flights without paying for their ticket. This can result in huge savings, especially if you’re traveling often or flying with a family or friend.

2. No Blackout Dates

Unlike many other loyalty programs, Southwest does not have blackout dates. This means that you can use the Companion Pass to travel during peak seasons, holidays, or busy times without any restrictions. As long as there’s a seat available on your flight, you can bring your companion along for free.

3. Unlimited Use

As long as your Companion Pass is valid, you can use it as often as you want. There’s no limit to how many times you can bring a companion along, and it’s valid for an entire calendar year once earned. This makes the Companion Pass especially valuable for those who travel frequently for business or leisure.

4. Flexibility with Points and Cash

The Companion Pass works with both Southwest Rapid Rewards points and cash bookings. This means you can book flights using your points and still bring a companion along for free, or if you need to book a ticket with cash, you can still use the pass to save on their fare.

5. Bring Any Companion

One of the best features of the Companion Pass is that you can choose any person as your companion, and you can switch companions multiple times during the year. This makes it easy to share the benefits with family, friends, or a travel partner whenever you need to.

Conclusion

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most sought-after benefits in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, and for good reason. With the ability to bring a companion along for free on nearly every flight, this perk offers incredible value for frequent flyers. While earning the Companion Pass requires some effort, it’s well worth the rewards, allowing you to travel more affordably and enjoy even more flexibility in your travel plans.

If you're committed to frequent flying with Southwest, be sure to take full advantage of the Southwest Rapid Rewards program by earning points through flights, credit card spending, and promotions. With the Companion Pass in your pocket, you’ll have a travel companion for your adventures—without breaking the bank