What the Southwest Companion Pass is and how you earn it

The Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit that lets one person fly free on Southwest flights for a full year whenever you buy a ticket. You earn it by spending a set amount on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card — currently $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening the card. Once you hit that spending threshold, Southwest sends you a Companion Pass that's valid for the remainder of that calendar year plus all of the next calendar year.

The pass itself is not a ticket. It's a code you give to Southwest when you book a flight. The person using the pass pays taxes and fees (usually $5.60 per one-way flight), but the base fare is free. You can use the pass on as many flights as you want during the valid period, as long as you're buying a ticket for yourself on the same flight.

The pass is tied to your account, not to a specific companion. You can name a different person for each flight if you want, though most people choose one person and use it repeatedly.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn the Companion Pass by spending $4,000 on the card within three months, and the pass covers a full calendar year plus the next one.
  • The companion pays only taxes and fees (around $5.60 per one-way flight) while you pay the full base fare for your own ticket.
  • You can change who uses the pass on each flight, or assign it to one person for the entire year.
  • The card itself has an annual fee of $69, which you pay whether or not you earn the Companion Pass.
  • The pass is most valuable if you fly Southwest frequently and have someone who will travel with you regularly.

The spending requirement and timeline

Southwest requires $4,000 in purchases within the first three months (the introductory period) to earn the Companion Pass. This is the only way to get the pass through the credit card — there's no other spending level or alternative path. Purchases include everyday spending like groceries, gas, and bills, but balance transfers and cash advances don't count.

The timing of when you earn the pass matters. If you hit $4,000 in January, your Companion Pass is valid for the rest of January plus all of February through December, then all of the following year. If you hit $4,000 in November, your pass is valid for the rest of November and December, then all of the next year. This means the pass length varies depending on when you open the card and spend the money.

Southwest typically processes the Companion Pass within one to two weeks after you meet the spending requirement. You'll see it in your Southwest account online, and you can start using it when ready.

Annual fee and other card costs

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card charges a $69 annual fee. This fee applies every year you hold the card, whether you earn the Companion Pass or not. If you open the card, spend $4,000, earn the pass, and then close the card before the annual fee renews, you'll pay the $69 once. If you keep the card open, you'll pay $69 every year on the anniversary of when you opened it.

Some cardholders close the card after earning the pass to avoid paying the fee again. Others keep it open because they use the card's other benefits, like earning points on Southwest purchases or getting a free checked bag. The decision depends on how much you fly and whether the $69 cost is worth the benefits you'll use.

There are no other hidden fees tied to using the Companion Pass itself. The taxes and fees the companion pays are standard Southwest charges, not card-specific costs.

How to use the pass when booking

When you book a Southwest flight online, you'll see an option to add a companion. You enter the companion's name and date of birth, and Southwest applies the pass to their ticket. The companion doesn't need their own Southwest account, though having one makes the process smoother. You can also call Southwest to book with the pass if you prefer not to book online.

The pass works on any Southwest flight, including basic economy fares. It covers domestic flights and flights to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico. It does not work on flights operated by other airlines, even if Southwest markets them.

One important limit: you can only use the pass if you're also buying a ticket for yourself on the same flight. You cannot use the pass to book a companion on a flight you're not taking, and you cannot use it to upgrade an existing ticket — the companion must be added at the time of booking.

Comparing the Companion Pass to other Southwest benefits

Southwest offers other ways to earn points and get discounts, but the Companion Pass is the most valuable benefit for frequent flyers with a travel partner. A single round-trip flight on Southwest can cost $200 to $400 or more depending on the route and how far in advance you book. Over a year, if you take even two or three trips with a companion, the pass can save you $400 to $1,200 — well above the $69 annual fee.

If you fly solo or rarely travel with the same person, the Companion Pass may not be worth the $4,000 spending requirement. In that case, a different rewards card or straightforward paying for flights with points you earn might be a better fit. Southwest's own Rapid Rewards program lets you earn points on every flight and redeem them for tickets without needing a credit card at all.

The card also earns points on purchases: typically 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. These points can be redeemed for flights, but the value is usually lower than the Companion Pass benefit if you have someone to travel with regularly.

What happens when the pass expires

The Companion Pass expires on December 31 of the second calendar year you hold it. Once it expires, you cannot use it anymore. If you want another Companion Pass, you'll need to open a new card and spend $4,000 again. Southwest does not allow you to renew the pass on the same card or extend it.

Some people time their card opening strategically to maximize the pass length. If you open the card in January, you get the pass for nearly two full years. If you open it in December, you get it for just over one year. This timing doesn't change the value of the pass itself, but it does affect how long you can use it.

After the pass expires, you can still use the credit card to earn points and get other benefits like free checked bags on Southwest flights. You just won't have the companion benefit unless you earn another pass.

Who should consider this card

The Companion Pass makes the most sense if you meet three conditions: you fly Southwest regularly, you have someone who travels with you on most trips, and you can spend $4,000 on the card within three months without carrying a balance. If all three are true, the pass typically pays for itself in one or two trips.

If you fly other airlines more often than Southwest, or if you travel solo, the card's value drops significantly. The $69 annual fee and $4,000 spending requirement become harder to justify. Similarly, if you can't spend $4,000 in three months without going into debt, the card isn't a good fit — the interest you'd pay would erase any benefit from the pass.

Business travelers who fly Southwest frequently and can put company expenses on the card often find the Companion Pass valuable, especially if they travel with a colleague or spouse regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Companion Pass if I'm not traveling with the companion?

No. You must be on the same flight as the person using the pass. The pass is designed for travel companions, not for booking someone else on a flight you're not taking. If you want to send someone on a flight without traveling yourself, you'd need to buy them a regular ticket.

Does the Companion Pass work on award flights booked with points?

No. The pass only works when you purchase a ticket with cash or a credit card. If you book a flight using Southwest points, you cannot add a companion with the pass on that same booking.

What if I close the card before earning the Companion Pass?

If you close the card before hitting $4,000 in spending, you won't earn the pass. Closing the card doesn't trigger the pass retroactively. You'd need to open a new card and start over to earn it.

Can I transfer the Companion Pass to someone else?

No. The pass is tied to your Southwest account and can only be used by people you designate as your companion on individual flights. You cannot give the pass to another person to use on their own flights.

How much do I actually save with the Companion Pass?

The savings depend on the flights you book. If you take one round-trip flight per month with a companion, and each round-trip would cost $300 per person, you'd save roughly $3,600 over the year — far more than the $69 fee. If you fly twice a year, the savings are smaller but often still exceed the fee. The actual amount varies by route, season, and how far in advance you book.