Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
Part of Southwest Rapid Rewards hub
GUIDE
How to earn and use the Southwest Companion Pass
Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass is a Rapid Rewards benefit that lets a Member designate one individual — the Companion — to travel with them on Southwest Airlines flights the Member has purchased and completes during the pass's validity period. It is earned by collecting 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, or by flying 100 qualifying one-way flight segments, in a calendar year, and the Companion's travel is subject to taxes, fees and airport or government charges from $5.60 per one-way trip. [6]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- There are two routes to the Companion Pass: 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, or 100 qualifying one-way flight segments, within one calendar year. [6]
- Points from Southwest-operated qualifying flights, from Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards and Debit Cards, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners count toward the pass; purchased, transferred, converted and bonus points generally do not. [6]
- The Companion flies only alongside the Member, on the same flights and dates, and earns no Rapid Rewards points or Companion Pass qualifying points on that travel. [5] [6]
- Passes are valid for the rest of the calendar year in which they are earned and the whole following year, and must be requalified each calendar year; the designated Companion can be changed up to three times per calendar year. [6]
How do you earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
As of 18 October 2026, Southwest sets two alternative thresholds and a Member needs to reach only one of them in a calendar year. [6]
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Companion Pass qualifying points | 135,000 in a calendar year [6] |
| Qualifying one-way flight segments | 100 in a calendar year [6] |
| Points that count | Travel completed on qualifying one-way flight segments operated by Southwest, points earned on Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards and Debit Card, and base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners [6] |
| When points count | Card points count only once posted on the billing statement and to the Rapid Rewards account, and only points posted within the same calendar year qualify [6] |
The exclusions matter as much as the inclusions. Purchased points, points transferred between Members, points transferred from partner programmes, points converted from hotel and car loyalty programmes, e-Rewards, Valued Opinions and Diners Club points, Rapid Rewards reward flights, enrolment points, tier bonus points, flight bonus points, promotion bonus points, points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards, purchased promotional tier qualifying points, points earned from Getaways by Southwest vacation bookings, partner bonus points, vacation packages booked through online travel agencies, and tickets booked through online travel agencies where the operating carrier is not disclosed before purchase all sit outside Companion Pass qualification. [5] [6] Two listed exceptions apply to bonus points: the Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase and the Southwest Business Refer a Company promotion. [6]
Cash + Points bookings are treated separately: a Member completing travel paid that way earns Companion Pass qualifying points only on the portion of the base fare that is paid in dollars. [6] Points earned during a billing cycle on a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card or Debit Card are not available for Companion Pass qualification until they are posted on the statement and to the account. [6]
How do you designate a Companion?
Southwest emails the Member automatically when the pass is earned and provides instructions for naming a Companion, and a Member may hold one Companion at a time. [6] The designated Companion can be changed up to three times in each calendar year in which the Member maintains Companion Pass status, and any reservation already attached to the current Companion must be cancelled before the change is made. [6] Changes can be made on Southwest.com, in the Southwest app, or by calling 1-800-435-9792, and Southwest asks for 21 business days to process them. [6]
The Companion must be an individual: corporations and other entities cannot be designated, an individual cannot travel as both Member and Companion on the same flight, and the Companion Pass card is not transferable. [6] Southwest no longer issues Companion Pass cards; older cards remain Southwest property and must be surrendered on request. [6]
How do you book and fly with a Companion?
Booking runs in a fixed order. The Member first books and pays for their own flight, then books the Companion's flight through Southwest by choosing the Rapid Rewards Companion Pass booking option on Southwest.com, or by calling 1-800-248-4377 and telling the representative that a Companion Pass will be used. [6] Both travellers must be booked on the same flights and dates. [6]
The two bookings stay linked. If the Member's ticket is cancelled or changed, the Companion's ticket must be changed to match, or it is cancelled. [6] If the Companion is not travelling with the Member, the Companion's reservation is cancelled, and the pair must check in together, show valid photo identification for both travellers, produce Companion Pass documentation if asked at the Southwest ticket counter, skycap podium where available, or departure gate, and board with their assigned groups. [6] A seat or Priority Boarding purchase applies only to the passenger who bought it. [6]
Companion Pass travel has no blackout dates but is subject to availability: there are no seat restrictions, yet a seat has to be available on the flight for the Companion. [6] Companion Passes may be added to travel booked with Cash + Points, and a Companion's reservation is not itself a purchased flight, so a further Companion Pass reservation cannot be booked from it. [6]
How long does it last and how do you renew it?
Companion Pass qualification is based on a calendar year unless Southwest designates otherwise in writing. [6] Once the status is earned it can be used immediately after a Companion is designated, and it lasts for the remainder of the calendar year in which it was earned plus the entire following calendar year. [6] Holding it for a further year means requalifying each calendar year, and neither the beginning validity date nor the expiration date can be adjusted. [6]
Two dates matter for anyone planning qualification. Southwest says a new Rapid Rewards programme begins on 1 January 2027, and that members will see more earning opportunities and benefits under it. [2] Southwest also reserves the right to amend, suspend or change the programme and its rules at any time without notice. [6]
Exceptions and limits
- Where the pass cannot be used. Companion Passes cannot be added to travel booked through Southwest Vacations, Getaways by Southwest, Group Travel, charter flights, interline itineraries or nonrevenue travel. [6]
- No earning on the Companion's ticket. No points, tier qualifying points or Companion Pass qualifying points are awarded for flights taken by the Companion using the pass. [5] [6]
- Taxes and fees still apply. Reward travel by the Member and, where applicable, a Companion is subject to taxes, fees and other government or airport-imposed charges from $5.60 per one-way trip, which vary by destination and must be paid when the travel is booked. [6]
- Account scrutiny. Suspected fraud, misrepresentation, misuse or breach of programme rules can lead to cancellation of the account and forfeiture of Companion Pass qualification along with accrued points and status. [6]
- One designation at a time. A Member may hold only one Companion at any moment, and the three-per-year change allowance applies only while Companion Pass status is maintained. [6]
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a Companion Pass with a Cash + Points booking?
Yes. Companion Passes may be added to travel booked with Cash + Points. [6]
What happens to the Companion's ticket if I cancel my flight?
It is cancelled too. If the Member changes their ticket, the Companion's ticket must be changed to match, or it is cancelled. [6]
Does the Companion earn Rapid Rewards points?
No. Flights taken by the Companion on a Companion Pass reservation earn no points, tier qualifying points or Companion Pass qualifying points. [5] [6]
How many times can I change my designated Companion?
Up to three times in each calendar year in which you maintain Companion Pass status, after cancelling any reservation attached to the current Companion. [6]
Does the Companion need to travel on the same flights as me?
Yes. Both travellers must be booked on the same flights and dates, check in together, and if the Companion is not travelling with the Member the reservation is cancelled. [6]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. It covers Southwest Rapid Rewards only; other programmes, including American Airlines AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles and the hotel loyalty schemes, are not covered here.
- Rapid Rewards — Southwest Airlines, checked 18 October 2026
- How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points, checked 18 October 2026
- Rapid Rewards terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026