Are you someone who loves to travel and are looking to maximize your adventures without breaking the bank? Perhaps you have a large family and traveling domestically gives you sticker price shock 😱. If this is you, look no further than the Southwest Companion Pass – the holy grail of domestic travel perks in the world of credit card points. In this post, we’ll explore how to earn this pass, why it’s amazing for couples or families, and the ideal time to start working towards it.
How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass
Earning the Southwest Companion Pass requires accumulating 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. The good news is that points earned from Southwest Airlines co-branded credit cards, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, count towards this total. Additionally, points earned through Southwest flights and partner activities contribute to reaching the magic number.
To expedite the process, consider leveraging sign-up bonuses, welcome offers, and strategically timed spending on your Southwest credit card. For example, if you earn one sign up bonus of 50k points, plus a sign up bonus of 80k points and add to that the points earned from spending the minimum spend requirement, you’ve got 135,000 points. You now qualify for the companion pass.
Why the Pass is Lucrative
Once you’ve achieved the 135,000-point milestone, you unlock the Southwest Companion Pass, allowing you to choose a designated companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight – whether you’re booking with cash or points. This benefit is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earned the pass and the entire following year. For example if you earned the pass in March of 2024, it would be valid until the end of 2025.
Imagine doubling the value of your points and extending the joy of travel to a friend, family member, or significant other without additional costs. The Southwest Companion Pass opens the door to incredible savings, making it one of the most powerful perks in the travel rewards world.
Ideal Time to Earn the Pass
The optimal time to start pursuing the Southwest Companion Pass is at the beginning of a calendar year. By doing so, you maximize the duration of pass validity, granting you nearly two years of free companion travel. As mentioned above, once you earn the pass, it is valid for that same calendar year PLUS the entire next calendar year! If you’ve made a quick calculation, you can see how timing it right can earn you the pass for a maximum of close to two years! Plan your strategy early, considering when to apply for a Southwest credit card to align with bonus offers and spending goals.
Timing is crucial; try to earn the pass as early in the year as possible to enjoy its benefits for an extended period. Plan your credit card applications and spending wisely, ensuring you meet the qualifying point threshold right at the start of January. If sign up bonus points are earned and available in your Southwest account in December it will count towards your previous year tally so be careful!
Quick Rules:
1. Southwest Companion Pass Rule: You must earn 125,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year to qualify.
2. Personal Card Limit: You can only have one personal Southwest credit card at a time.
3. 5/24 Rule: You must be under the Chase 5/24 rule when applying for a personal Southwest card.
4. Points Counting: Points earned only count toward the Companion Pass once they have been issued, not while pending.
In conclusion, the Southwest Companion Pass is a game changer for domestic travel hacking. With careful planning and good timing, you can unlock a world of savings and unforgettable experiences.
Until next time,
Chavy
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