Southwest Airlines has restored several cardholder perks that were temporarily suspended during the pandemic
In 2020 and 2021, Southwest Airlines suspended certain benefits for cardholders to manage costs during reduced travel. Beginning in 2022, the airline began restoring these perks. The specific benefits restored and their timing depend on which Southwest card you hold — the Rapid Rewards Premier, Rapid Rewards Plus, or Rapid Rewards Business card — and when you opened your account.
The main perks that returned include the annual companion pass (a free round-trip ticket for one companion on most flights), anniversary bonus points, and the ability to earn points on everyday purchases. However, not every benefit came back at the same time, and some terms differ from the pre-pandemic version. Understanding which perks explore to your card and when they take effect matters for deciding whether to keep the card or use it strategically.
Key Takeaways
- The annual companion pass — a free round-trip ticket for a companion — returned to Southwest credit cards in 2022, though the exact date depends on your card type and account opening date.
- Anniversary bonus points (typically 6,000 to 10,000 points depending on the card) resumed in 2022 for most cardholders, usually on your card anniversary each year.
- The $69 annual fee for the Premier card and $99 for the Plus card remained in place during and after the suspension, so you paid for perks you were not receiving for a period.
- Cardholders who opened accounts during the suspension period may have different restoration dates or may not receive the same perks as those who held cards before the suspension began.
Which perks came back and when
Southwest announced the return of the annual companion pass in March 2022 for the Rapid Rewards Premier and Plus cards. This benefit allows you to give one companion a free round-trip ticket on most Southwest flights for one year from the date you use it. The companion pass typically posts to your account within 30 days of your card anniversary (the date you opened the card each year).
Anniversary bonus points also returned in 2022. The Premier card offers 6,000 bonus points on your anniversary, while the Plus card offers 10,000 bonus points. These post automatically around your card anniversary date. The Business card, which is marketed to small business owners, also had its anniversary bonus restored, though the point value varies.
Other perks that remained or returned include free checked bags for you and one companion on Southwest flights (when you use the card to purchase the ticket), priority boarding, and the ability to earn points on everyday purchases at a set rate. The exact earning rate and any bonus categories depend on your specific card.
What changed from the pre-pandemic version
While most perks returned, some terms shifted. The most notable change is that the companion pass now expires one year from the date you use it, rather than one year from the date it posts. This means if your companion pass posts in January but you do not use it until June, it will expire the following June — not the January after it posted. This timing matters if you plan travel far in advance.
Additionally, the companion pass applies to most Southwest flights, but certain flights (like those during peak travel periods or on specific routes) may be excluded. Southwest's website lists which flights are ineligible when you attempt to book. Before the suspension, the companion pass had similar restrictions, but the specific blackout dates and routes may differ.
The annual fee structure did not change. You still pay $69 per year for the Premier card and $99 per year for the Plus card. Some cardholders who held the cards during the suspension period when perks were not available pursued refunds or account closures, but Southwest did not automatically reverse fees for that period.
How the restoration timeline affected different cardholders
The restoration did not happen all at once for everyone. Southwest phased the return of perks based on card type and account age. Cardholders who opened their Premier or Plus card before the suspension began generally saw perks return by mid-2022. Those who opened accounts during the suspension (roughly 2020 to early 2022) may have experienced a delay or may not have received the same benefits when ready.
If you opened a Southwest card during the suspension period, check your account details on Southwest's website or contact Southwest customer service to confirm which perks are active on your card and when they will post. The company's policy on new accounts during the suspension period was not uniform across all cardholders, so your situation may differ from someone else's.
Whether the restored perks justify the annual fee
The value of keeping a Southwest card depends on how much you travel and whether you use the perks. The annual companion pass is worth roughly $200 to $400 if you book a round-trip flight that would normally cost that amount. Anniversary bonus points are worth roughly $60 to $100 in travel value, depending on how you redeem them. Together, these two perks can offset the annual fee if you use them.
However, if you do not fly Southwest regularly or do not have a companion to use the pass, the card may not pay for itself. The free checked bags benefit applies only if you fly Southwest and only if you use the card to purchase the ticket. If you fly other airlines or rarely travel, the annual fee becomes a net cost rather than an investment.
Some cardholders keep the card specifically for the companion pass and anniversary bonus, then close it after using those benefits. Others downgrade to a no-annual-fee Southwest card (if available) after the first year. The right choice depends on your travel patterns and whether you can realistically use the perks each year.
What to do if your perks have not been restored
If you held a Southwest card before the suspension and your perks have not returned, contact Southwest customer service directly. You can reach them through the phone number on the back of your card or through Southwest's website. Have your card number and account details ready.
Explain that you are a cardholder and that your companion pass or anniversary bonus has not posted. Southwest's customer service team can check your account status and, if there is an error, manually post the benefit. Response times vary, but most issues are resolved within a few business days to a week.
If you opened a card during the suspension and are unsure whether you should receive the full perks package, ask Southwest directly rather than assuming you are ineligible. The company's policies on this were not always clearly communicated, and a representative can clarify what applies to your specific account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the companion pass work on all Southwest flights?
No. The companion pass excludes certain flights, typically during peak travel periods or on specific high-demand routes. When you attempt to book a flight using the companion pass, Southwest's system will show you which dates and flights are available. You can check availability before your pass expires to plan accordingly.
What happens if I do not use my companion pass before it expires?
The pass expires one year from the date you use it (or one year from the date it posts if you never use it). Once it expires, it cannot be extended or transferred. You lose the benefit. Plan your travel in advance if you want to use it.
Can I get a refund for the annual fee during the years my perks were suspended?
Southwest did not automatically refund annual fees for the suspension period. Some cardholders who contacted customer service were able to negotiate a one-time credit, but this was not a standard policy. If you believe you should have received a refund, contact Southwest customer service to discuss your account history.
If I close my Southwest card, do I lose the companion pass?
You keep the companion pass even after closing the card, as long as it has already posted to your account. However, if you close the card before your anniversary date, you will not receive that year's anniversary bonus points or a new companion pass. Plan your closure timing accordingly if you want to maximize the benefits.
Are the perks the same on the Business card as the personal cards?
The Business card also has a companion pass and anniversary bonus points, but the point values and some terms may differ from the Premier and Plus cards. Check your Business card's specific terms on Southwest's website or contact customer service to confirm what perks explore to your account.