If you’ve followed our travels for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about the Southwest Companion Pass. It’s easily one of the best travel perks we’ve ever used as a family — and it’s helped us save thousands of dollars on flights.
In fact, I’ve had the Companion Pass for four years now, and it’s been a huge part of how we’re able to travel so much as a family.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Companion Pass is, how it works, or how you can get it yourself, here’s everything you need to know.
Check out this amazing offer right now to get a companion pass!
What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit that allows you to bring one person with you on any Southwest flight for free (plus taxes and fees) every time you fly.
Yes — every flight.
That means if you book a ticket with cash or points, your companion can join you for just the government taxes (usually about $5.60 each way in the U.S.).
It works on:
- Paid flights
- Award flights booked with points
- Domestic routes
- International routes
You can also change your companion up to three times per calendar year, which makes it flexible if you travel with different family members or friends.
For families like ours who fly often, it can easily save thousands of dollars a year.
Our Experience Using the Companion Pass
I’ve personally had the Companion Pass for four years now, and I keep hitting the requirements each year to maintain it.
The very first year I earned it was actually the easiest.
I signed up for one of Southwest’s credit cards during a promotional period, hit the minimum spending requirement, and the bonus points helped push me over the threshold needed to earn the Companion Pass.
Since then, I’ve been able to maintain it by continuing to earn qualifying points throughout the year.
Last year, my husband Steve even got in on the action.
He signed up for one of the Southwest credit cards during a promotional period, met the minimum spending requirement, and earned enough qualifying points to get the Companion Pass himself.
Now we sometimes alternate who holds the pass, which helps us keep the benefit active longer.
For a traveling family like ours, it’s honestly one of the best travel strategies we’ve used.
How Do You Earn the Companion Pass?
There are a few different ways to earn the Companion Pass.
The official requirement is earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
Here are the main ways people earn those points.
1. Flying Southwest
You earn qualifying points whenever you fly paid Southwest flights.
However, earning the Companion Pass through flying alone usually requires a lot of travel, so this isn’t the most common method.
2. Earning Points Through Partners
Points earned through Southwest partners can also count toward the Companion Pass, including things like:
- Hotel stays
- Rental cars
- Shopping portals
- Dining programs
This can help boost your qualifying points if you’re already close.
3. Credit Card Welcome Bonuses (One of the Easiest Ways)
One of the most popular and easiest ways to earn the Companion Pass is by signing up for one of the Southwest credit cards during a promotional period.
During certain promotions, the welcome bonus alone can cover a large portion of the points needed to qualify.
That’s exactly how I earned the Companion Pass the first time — and how Steve earned his last year.
Right now there’s a limited-time promotion available until March 18, which is why I’m sharing this with you today.
If you’ve been thinking about earning the Companion Pass, promotions like this can make it significantly easier to reach the required points.
Why the Companion Pass Is So Valuable for Families
For families who travel often, the Companion Pass can make a huge difference in your travel budget.
Some of the reasons we love it include:
- You can bring someone on every trip for almost free
- It works even when you book flights with points
- You can change your companion if needed
- Southwest has flexible change and cancellation policies
For us, that means one of our flights is essentially free on every trip, which adds up quickly when you’re traveling as a family of four.
Is the Southwest Companion Pass Worth It?
In my opinion, absolutely.
If you travel even a few times per year, the Companion Pass can easily become one of the most valuable travel perks available.
It’s been a huge part of how we’ve been able to travel so frequently as a family over the past several years.
And if you’re hoping to earn it, promotional periods can be one of the easiest opportunities to do so — especially when the bonus points help push you toward the qualifying threshold.
Right now that opportunity is available before March 18, so if the Companion Pass is something you’ve been considering, this is a great time to look into it.
