One of the best perks of flying Southwest Airlines is the ability to earn a Companion Pass®. The Companion Pass allows flyers to bring a designated friend or family member with them on flights for free. All they need to pay are the taxes, fees and other government or airport-imposed charges of at least $5.60 per one-way. There are specific ways to get the Pass, and Southwest has just introduced a few more available for a limited time.
LOS ANGELES, CA-AUGUST 30, 2023: Emily Hitchcock makes eye contact with her daughter Charlotte 3, … [+]
How To Earn The Southwest Companion Pass
Earning the Companion Pass is usually done by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or by earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Once the Companion Pass is earned, it is good for the remainder of the year in which it was earned, plus the following full calendar year. So, for example, if the Pass was earned in September 2023, it would be valid for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024.
Additionally, to earn the Companion Pass, one must be a registered Rapid Rewards Member (it’s free to join here).
Southwest is giving Members the chance to earn the Pass at a quicker pace. From September 01, 2023, through November 30, 2023, Members can do the following:
- Earn 2x Companion Pass points on flights: Instead of earning 1x point per $1 spent on flights, Members who register, book and fly during the promotional period will earn double points.
- Business travelers can earn 3x Companion Pass points on flights through 11/30/2023 when they book through one of Southwest’s business channels, including SWABIZ.com, GDS or SPS.
- Rapid Rewards® Credit Card purchases earn 2x Companion Pass points per $1 spent through 11/30/2023.
- Flights purchased with Rapid Rewards points earn 1x Companion Pass point per qualifying flight through 11/30/2023.
Members must register for the promotion to earn bonus points by logging in to their accounts and clicking on promotions.
The other ways to earn the Pass that are available year-round include:
- Flying: Fly 100 one-way flights (or 50 round-trip flights) in a calendar year and earn points for each $1 spent on the flight.
- Hotel stays: Book and stay at partner hotels.
- Car rentals: Rent cars through one of the Southwest partners.
- Shopping: Get points when shopping at one of the airline’s partners through the Southwest shopping portal
- Dining: Points can be earned when dining at a participating restaurant
- Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards: Points can be acquired faster depending on the card. Additionally, signup bonuses count towards the Pass. So, earning a bonus of 80,000 points, for example, is over halfway towards the Pass.
- Home and lifestyle: Select purchases made on home and lifestyle goods and services also earn points.
Members can participate in all promotions. However, note that travel booked through Southwest Vacations® packages are not eligible for this promotion. Additionally, the flights must take place during the promotional period to earn double points.
Summary
Earning double points that count towards the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is not an option that comes around often. Earning more points is usually only available to Rapid Rewards Credit Card cardholders. Registering for this promotion can help maximize travel if a fall trip is on the horizon.
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