How to Earn the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass for 2026 and 2027 (Step by Step Guide)

If you love traveling or dream of affordable trips to tropical destinations, the Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit you should know about. It lets you bring a companion on almost every Southwest flight for just the cost of taxes and fees, which can be as low as $5.60 each way. International flights will be an additional cost for fees and taxes depending on the location. Imagine flying to Florida, California, or even Hawaii with a friend or family member without paying full fare for their ticket.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on airfare to earn this pass. With the right credit card strategy and some planning, you can earn the Southwest Companion Pass by using Southwest credit cards and Southwest bonus points. This guide will explain what the pass is, how it works in 2026 and 2027, and how to earn it efficiently.

What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you on Southwest Airlines for just the taxes and fees, which usually amount to about $5.60 per flight segment. This applies to both paid flights and award flights booked with points.

Once you earn the pass, it remains valid for the rest of the year you earned it plus the entire following year. For example, if you earn it anytime in 2026, you can use it through December 31, 2027.

You can also change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. This flexibility means you can travel with different people if your plans change.

Our Exact 2026–2027 Southwest Companion Pass Timeline

We keep this simple. We NEVER add each other as authorized users. Instead, every two years we rotate who holds the Southwest credit cards. That keeps us eligible for new bonuses and keeps the strategy clean.

Here is exactly how we earned our Southwest Companion Pass for 2026 and 2027.

November 2025

Monty applied for the Chase Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.

At the time, the offer was 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in three months. Offers always vary at different times of the year for each credit card. Also make sure you are under Chase 5/24 bank rule. The Chase 5/24 rule simply means this: if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, Chase will likely deny you for most of their cards. It does not matter if the cards are still open, only when they were opened. Cards where you are an authorized user can count, and while most business cards do not add to your total, you usually still need to be under 5/24 to get approved. If you want Chase cards for points and travel rewards, you need to pay attention to this rule before applying elsewhere.

Here is the key. We intentionally did NOT hit the $4,000 minimum spend before January 1, 2026.

Why? Because Companion Pass qualifying points count based on when they post. We wanted all 100,000 bonus points to post in 2026, not 2025. Timing is everything with the Southwest Companion Pass.

January 2026

As soon as the calendar flipped to January, we finished the required spending.

Along with our normal monthly expenses, we charged:

• College tuition

• Real estate property taxes

Yes, we paid a 2.5 percent processing fee to use the credit card for property taxes.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

When you are working toward 135,000 qualifying points and nearly two full years of buy one get one flights, that small fee makes sense. We look at it as an investment in travel.

End of February 2026

After the bonus posted and all spending cleared, we were still about 4,000 points short of the 135,000 qualifying point requirement.

This is where most people stop. We did not.

The Hotel Booking That Pushed Us Over

We went to the Southwest Hotels booking portal and searched for a local one-night stay.

We found a non-refundable room for around $200 that offered a 4,400 Rapid Rewards point bonus. We booked it. Those 4,400 points counted toward Companion Pass qualifying points.

Bingo. We crossed 135,000 qualifying points. That single hotel night secured our Southwest Companion Pass for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027.

Why This Strategy Works

• We rotated card ownership

• We timed the bonus to post in January

• We used large predictable expenses

• We were willing to pay a small processing fee

• We used the Southwest hotel portal to close the gap

No guessing. No last-minute panic. Just a plan.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 2026 and 2027

To earn the Companion Pass, you need to accumulate 135,000 qualifying Southwest Rapid Rewards points within a calendar year. Qualifying points come from:

• Points earned on Southwest flights

• Points earned through Southwest credit card spending

• Bonus points from Southwest partners

  
  

Here’s how you can reach that goal using credit cards and other strategies.

Use Personal Southwest Credit Cards

Southwest offers personal credit cards that come with sign-up bonuses and rewards on everyday spending. These cards typically offer a large number of points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months.

For example, a card might offer 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

Personal Southwest Credit Card

Use Business Southwest Credit Cards

Southwest also offers business credit cards that work similarly to personal cards but often have higher spending limits and bonus categories tailored for business expenses.

If you own a business or have access to business spending, applying for a Southwest business card can help you earn a large chunk of points quickly. These cards also come with sign-up bonuses and rewards on purchases like office supplies, travel, and dining.

Tip: make sure to wait 30-60 days between applying for different cards.

Business Southwest Credit Card

Combine Points from Multiple Cards

You can combine points earned from personal and business Southwest credit cards. This strategy allows you to accumulate points faster and reach the 135,000-point threshold within the calendar year.

Maximize Everyday Spending

Use your Southwest credit cards for everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, dining, and bills. This ongoing spending adds up and helps you earn points steadily.

Take Advantage of Bonus Categories and Promotions

Southwest credit cards often have bonus categories like 2x points on Southwest purchases or 3x points on business-related expenses. Keep an eye on promotions that offer extra points for specific spending categories or partner purchases.

Book Southwest Flights

Flying Southwest also earns you Rapid Rewards points. If you have upcoming trips, booking flights directly with Southwest can contribute to your points total.

Tips for Managing Your Points and Companion Pass

Track Your Points Regularly

Keep an eye on your Rapid Rewards account to monitor your points balance. Southwest’s website and app make it easy to check your progress toward the Companion Pass.

Plan Your Spending to Meet Minimums

Make sure to meet the minimum spending requirements on your credit cards within the required time frame to earn sign-up bonuses. Avoid unnecessary purchases just to hit the target but plan your spending to align with your usual expenses.

Use Points Wisely

Once you earn the Companion Pass, use your points strategically to book award flights. Southwest does not charge blackout dates, so you can use points on almost any flight.

Change Your Companion When Needed

Remember, you can change your designated companion up to three times per year. This flexibility allows you to travel with different people depending on your plans.

Final Thoughts on Earning the Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass offers incredible value for travelers who want to save money and bring a companion along for nearly free. By combining personal and business Southwest credit cards, you can earn the 135,000 qualifying points needed without spending excessively on airfare.

Start by applying for the right cards, meet the spending requirements, and use your everyday purchases to build points. Keep track of your progress and plan your trips to maximize the benefits of the pass.

With some effort and smart planning, you can enjoy affordable travel with a companion for up to two years. The next step is to explore Southwest’s credit card options and begin your journey toward earning the Companion Pass.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you apply or make a purchase through them. There is no extra cost to you. We only share credit cards, tools, and travel resources that we personally use in our own strategy. Our goal is always to help you travel more while spending less, and we appreciate your support when you choose to use our links.