Southwest Companion Pass for 2026: Current Offers and Earning Strategies
The Most Valuable Travel Benefit Returns
The Southwest Companion Pass remains one of the most valuable perks in travel rewards. When you earn it, a designated companion flies free (just paying taxes) on every Southwest flight you take—whether booked with cash or points.
With the right strategy, you can earn the Companion Pass for 2026 and enjoy months of free companion travel across Southwest’s network.
How the Companion Pass Works
The Basics
Once you earn the Companion Pass:
- Designate one person as your companion
- Book any Southwest flight for yourself
- Add your companion for just $5.60 in taxes (domestic)
- Works on both paid tickets and points redemptions
Duration
The pass is valid from when you earn it through the end of the following calendar year. Earn it in January 2026, and it lasts through December 31, 2027—nearly two full years.
This is why timing matters tremendously.
Current Earning Requirements
To earn the Companion Pass, you need 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
What Counts as Qualifying Points
- Southwest credit card welcome bonuses
- Points earned from card spending
- Points earned from flying Southwest
- Partner earning (hotels, car rentals through Rapid Rewards)
What Doesn’t Count
- Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Purchased points
- Points from promotions that specifically exclude qualification
Credit Card Strategy for 2026
The fastest path to 135,000 qualifying points is combining Southwest credit card bonuses.
Available Chase Southwest Cards
Personal Cards:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus ($69/year)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier ($99/year)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority ($149/year)
Business Cards:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business ($99/year)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business ($199/year)
The Optimal Approach
Combine one personal card with one business card to stack bonuses:
Example:
- Southwest Priority (personal): 50,000-75,000 point bonus
- Southwest Premier Business: 60,000-80,000 point bonus
- Combined: 110,000-155,000 qualifying points
Add minimum spending on the cards (typically earning 1x per dollar), and you’ll hit 135,000 easily.
Timing Your Applications
The calendar-year reset is critical:
- Apply for cards in late December or early January
- Complete spending requirements in January
- Bonuses post in January/February
- Earn Companion Pass valid through end of following year
This timing gives you nearly 24 months of companion benefits instead of 12-14 months.
Promotional Companion Pass Offers
Chase periodically offers promotional deals where the Companion Pass itself is the bonus (rather than earning it through points). These promotions typically:
- Require $4,000 spending in 3 months
- Award the Companion Pass directly
- Include 30,000 bonus points
- Have specific validity periods (often through February of the following year)
When these promotions appear, they offer a faster path since you don’t need to accumulate 135,000 points—you get the pass directly.
Check current Chase Southwest offers to see if promotional passes are available.
Maximizing Pass Duration
For Couples
Both partners can pursue their own Companion Pass:
- Partner A earns pass, designates Partner B as companion
- Partner B earns pass, designates Partner A as companion
- Result: Either person’s flights include a free companion
This strategy is particularly valuable for families with children, allowing both parents to add kids as companions on different bookings.
Timing the Calendar Year
| Apply | Earn Pass | Valid Through | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Jan 2026 | Dec 31, 2027 | ~24 months |
| Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | Dec 31, 2027 | ~18 months |
| Nov 2026 | Nov 2026 | Dec 31, 2027 | ~14 months |
The earlier in the calendar year you earn it, the longer it lasts.
Card Comparison: Which to Choose?
Southwest Priority ($149/year)
Best for frequent Southwest flyers:
- $75 Southwest travel credit annually
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year
- 7,500 anniversary points
- Most valuable for regular travelers
Southwest Premier ($99/year)
Balanced option:
- 6,000 anniversary points
- 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year
- No foreign transaction fees
Southwest Plus ($69/year)
Entry-level option:
- 3,000 anniversary points
- 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year
- Lowest annual fee
Business Cards
Premier Business ($99/year):
- 6,000 anniversary points
- Separate from personal card eligibility
Performance Business ($199/year):
- 9,000 anniversary points
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year
- More valuable for high-volume travelers
Application Rules to Know
24-Month Bonus Rule
You cannot receive a Southwest personal card bonus if you received one within the past 24 months. Business card bonuses have separate eligibility.
5/24 Rule
Chase’s 5/24 rule applies to Southwest cards. If you’ve opened 5+ personal credit cards (across all issuers) in 24 months, you’ll be automatically denied.
One Personal Card at a Time
You can only hold one Southwest personal card at a time. To get a different personal card’s bonus, you’d need to close or product-change your existing card first.
Key Takeaways
- Companion Pass lets your companion fly free on every Southwest flight
- 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year earns the pass
- Combine personal + business cards for fastest path to qualification
- Time your applications for January to maximize pass duration
- Watch for promotional offers where pass is awarded directly
- Check 5/24 status before applying for Chase Southwest cards
- 24-month rule restricts personal card bonus eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my designated companion?
Yes, up to 3 times per calendar year. Choose carefully—each change uses one of your three allowed switches.
Does the Companion Pass work on award flights?
Yes. Book a flight using Rapid Rewards points, add your companion for just $5.60 in taxes. This effectively doubles the value of your points.
What if I earn more than 135,000 points?
Extra points beyond 135,000 stay in your Rapid Rewards account for booking flights. They don’t carry over to the next year’s Companion Pass qualification.
Can transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards help earn the pass?
No. Points transferred from Chase UR to Southwest do not count as qualifying points for Companion Pass purposes. Only directly earned Southwest points qualify.
Should I apply for personal or business card first?
If you’re under 5/24, apply for the personal card first (it counts toward 5/24). Business cards don’t add to your 5/24 count after approval but still require you to be under 5/24 when applying.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers and Companion Pass requirements change. Verify current terms, bonus amounts, and qualifying point thresholds on Southwest and Chase websites before applying.