Unlocking the Southwest Companion Pass: Your Gateway to a Year of Travel Bliss

Embarking on a journey with a companion by your side is the epitome of travel bliss. Imagine having the power to bring a fellow traveler along for the ride, not just once, but countless times, all while enjoying the perks of the Southwest Companion Pass. This coveted pass, often deemed too good to be true, allows a companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes) on an unlimited number of flights throughout the pass’s validity. While traditionally, the pass is valid for the remainder of the year it’s earned and the entire following year, Southwest occasionally introduces special versions with distinct expiration dates. Let’s find out with nowglas.

Now, here’s the exciting part — a remarkable opportunity to earn this pass without breaking a sweat, right from the comfort of your home. Thanks to exclusive Southwest credit card offers, securing the Southwest Companion Pass has never been easier. So, how does this extraordinary offer work, and is it the right fit for your travel aspirations? Let’s delve into the details to unveil the magic behind the Southwest Companion Pass.

Decoding the Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is a travel perk with minimal strings attached, offering you the freedom to bring a companion along on any Southwest flight at no additional cost, apart from taxes and fees. The primary requirement is that there must be at least one available seat for sale in any fare class on a flight for which you’ve purchased your own ticket, either with cash or Southwest points.

A standard-length Companion Pass allows you to change your companion up to three times per year, opening the door to having multiple companions over two calendar years. To earn this coveted pass traditionally, one must accumulate 135,000 qualifying points or complete 100 qualifying flights with Southwest in a calendar year. These points can be earned through various means, including paid flights, base points from Rapid Rewards partners, and points from Southwest credit cards.

However, the game-changer is the current welcome offers on three personal Southwest credit cards — Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Each of these cards not only offers a Southwest Companion Pass but also comes with an additional 30,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on the card within the first three months.

Here’s the beauty of it — by applying for any of these three Southwest credit cards and meeting the minimum spending requirement, you can instantly earn the pass. The catch? This is a promotional Companion Pass with an expiration date of February 28, 2025, deviating from the standard validity period. While it’s a shorter timeframe, you’ll still relish the pass for nearly an entire year, obtained effortlessly.

For those desiring a traditional-length Southwest Companion Pass valid for up to two years, creative thinking comes into play. There are alternative ways to leverage the current Southwest credit card offers, providing an opportunity to extend the pass’s validity. Let’s explore the strategies to navigate this enticing offer.

Navigating the Southwest Credit Card Landscape

The Southwest credit card lineup consists of five cards — three personal and two business — each offering sign-up bonuses that either include or contribute to earning a Companion Pass. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card: Limited-time offer — Earn the Southwest Companion Pass (valid through 2/28/25) plus 30,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card: Limited-time offer — Earn the Southwest Companion Pass (valid through 2/28/25) plus 30,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: Limited-time offer — Earn the Southwest Companion Pass (valid through 2/28/25) plus 30,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
4. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The first three cards on the list, known as personal Southwest credit cards, are the key players in the current Companion Pass promotion. While the value of this offer depends on your travel plans and usage of the pass, even occasional flyers can potentially save significant money by having a companion fly for free (excluding taxes and fees).

For those seeking alternative routes, the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card stands out. While it doesn’t single-handedly earn the pass, the 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months serve as a substantial push towards the goal. With additional methods to earn the remaining points in 2024, such as regular spending on the Southwest credit card, flying on eligible Southwest fares, or utilizing the Southwest shopping portal, you can secure the traditional pass valid until December 31, 2025.

But here’s where strategic thinking comes into play. By combining offers from two different Southwest credit cards — a personal and a business card — under the same applicant, you can potentially earn the pass through December 31, 2025. It’s important to note that combining points among different cardholders is not allowed. Additionally, all applicants are subject to Chase’s “5/24” rule, automatically denying the application if the applicant has been approved for five or more credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months.

Let’s illustrate this strategy with an example. Imagine applying for both the Southwest Plus card and the Southwest Performance Business card. Meeting the minimum spend on the Southwest Plus card instantly earns you the promotional Companion Pass. Additionally, you accumulate 30,000 bonus points from the Southwest Plus card and 80,000 bonus points from the Southwest Performance Business card after meeting their respective spending requirements. This amounts to a total of 119,000 qualifying points, bringing you close to the standard Companion Pass that extends until the end of 2025.

Choosing the Right Southwest Credit Card

With three distinct personal Southwest credit cards — Southwest Plus, Southwest Premier, and Southwest Priority — selecting the right card for your needs is crucial. Each card earns 2 points for every dollar spent on local transit, commuting (including ride-shares), internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases. The Southwest Premier Business card offers 4 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, while the Southwest Premier and Southwest Priority cards earn 3 points per dollar. The Southwest Plus card lags slightly, earning 2 points per dollar spent at Southwest. All three cards share the same 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

While the earning rates may not match market leaders, the unique features, annual fees, and benefits make each card distinct. Here’s a brief comparison:

• Southwest Plus: $69 annual fee, 25% back on in-flight purchases, two EarlyBird Check-In credits per year, and 3,000 bonus points on each card anniversary.
• Southwest Premier and Southwest Premier Business: $99 annual fee, 25% back on in-flight purchases, two EarlyBird Check-In credits per year, and 6,000 bonus points on each card anniversary.
• Southwest Priority: $149 annual fee, 25% back on in-flight purchases, two EarlyBird Check-In credits per year, 7,500 bonus points on each card anniversary, $75 Southwest travel credit annually, and four upgraded boarding certificates per year.
• Southwest Performance Business: $199 annual fee, 9,000 bonus points on each card anniversary, four upgraded boarding certificates per year, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, and in-flight Wi-Fi credits.

The Southwest Priority and Southwest Performance Business cards, despite their higher annual fees, stand out with superior benefits. The upgraded boarding certificates, in particular, offer a unique advantage, allowing you to secure a preferred boarding position. If this aligns with your travel preferences, the additional value outweighs the higher annual fee.

Is a Southwest Credit Card Right for You?

Having held a Southwest Companion Pass for over 15 years, I can personally attest to the tremendous savings it brings to family travel. The pass extends the privilege of free travel for my husband, children, parents, and friends on every Southwest flight I take, with the only cost being taxes. Domestic taxes stand at $5.60 each way, while international taxes vary based on the destination.

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The brilliance of the Companion Pass lies in its compatibility with points earned from sign-up bonus offers. You can utilize all your Southwest points to book flights without losing them and still add your companion to your ticket using the pass. This essentially doubles the value of the sign-up offers.

If the prospect of having a Southwest Companion Pass resonates with your travel goals, now is the opportune moment to seize it. Applying for one or even two of these Southwest credit cards and strategically utilizing their benefits can transform your travel experience. Whether you’re a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler, the Southwest Companion Pass opens the door to unparalleled savings and unforgettable adventures. So, why wait? Start your journey towards a year of travel bliss with Southwest today.

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