The Southwest Rapid Rewards card gives you points on every purchase, free checked bags, and a companion pass once a year

The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase. It earns points on all spending, with bonus points when you first open the account. The card's signature benefit is a Companion Pass — once per year, you can fly one other person free on any Southwest flight you book, paying only taxes and fees.

The card also waives baggage fees for you and one companion on every Southwest flight. You get priority boarding, which means you board earlier and can choose your seat before most passengers. There is an annual fee, and the card's value depends on how often you fly Southwest and how much you spend.

Key Takeaways

  • The Companion Pass lets you bring one other person free on any Southwest flight you book each year, paying only taxes and fees of roughly $5 to $15 per flight.
  • You earn points on every purchase at a base rate, with higher earning rates on Southwest flights and at partner merchants like restaurants and gas stations.
  • The first two checked bags fly free for you and one companion on every Southwest flight, which saves $35 to $70 per round trip compared to other airlines.
  • Priority boarding (called A-List) means you board in an earlier group and can pick your seat before standard passengers, though not before elite frequent flyers.
  • The annual fee applies every year, so the card makes financial sense mainly if you fly Southwest multiple times per year or spend heavily on the card to earn the sign-up bonus.

How the Companion Pass works and who you can bring

The Companion Pass is a one-time annual benefit. When you book a Southwest flight for yourself, you can name one other person to fly free on that same flight. That person pays only taxes and fees — typically $5 to $15 per segment, depending on the route. The companion does not need to be a family member; you can bring a friend, colleague, or anyone else.

The pass is tied to your account, not a physical ticket. You book your own flight first, then add your companion through your Southwest account or by calling Southwest. The companion must have a valid ID and a Southwest Rapid Rewards account (which is free to open). You can use the pass on any Southwest flight, including basic economy fares, and it does not expire within the calendar year — you have until December 31 to use it.

One important limit: you can only use the pass once per year. If you fly Southwest multiple times, only one of those flights can include a free companion. After December 31, the pass resets and you get a new one the following year.

Earning rates and how points convert to flights

The card earns points at different rates depending on where you spend. You earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and at participating partners (restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and rideshare). You earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points never expire as long as your account remains open.

Southwest uses a variable pricing model, meaning the number of points needed for a flight changes based on demand. A short flight might cost 6,000 points during off-peak times or 15,000 points during peak travel. There is no fixed chart — you see the point price when you search for flights, just like you see the cash price. This means you cannot plan point redemptions far in advance with certainty.

When you first open the card, you receive a sign-up bonus of points — the exact amount varies by offer, but recent offers have ranged from 40,000 to 75,000 points. That bonus alone can cover one or two round-trip flights, depending on when you travel and how far you go.

Baggage fees and priority boarding benefits

Southwest does not charge for the first two checked bags on any flight — this is true for all passengers, not just cardholders. However, the Rapid Rewards card extends this benefit to a companion. If you travel with someone else, both of you get two free checked bags each. If you travel alone, you still get two free bags, but the companion benefit only applies when you fly together.

Priority boarding, called A-List status, comes automatically with the card. You board in Group A instead of Group B or C, which means you board earlier and have a better choice of seats. You do not get the very first boarding group — that is reserved for elite frequent flyers and passengers who pay extra for EarlyBird Check-In. But A-List gets you on the plane before most passengers, which matters if you want a window or aisle seat or overhead bin space.

Annual fee and when the card pays for itself

The card charges an annual fee every year. The exact amount varies; recent offers have charged $69 to $99 annually. This fee is not waived in the first year — you pay it when you open the account.

Whether the card pays for itself depends on your travel and spending habits. If you fly Southwest at least twice a year, the Companion Pass alone can cover the fee — one free companion flight saves you $150 to $400 in airfare. If you also earn the sign-up bonus and redeem it for flights, the card typically pays for itself in the first year. However, if you fly Southwest rarely or not at all, the annual fee is a net cost with no offsetting benefit.

The card also makes sense if you spend heavily on everyday purchases. The 2x points rate on partner merchants (restaurants, gas, hotels) means you earn points faster than you would with a flat-rate card. Over time, those extra points can fund additional flights.

Comparing the Rapid Rewards card to other airline cards

Other airline cards offer similar structures but different benefits. The United Airlines card gives you a free checked bag and priority boarding, but no annual companion pass. The American Airlines card offers a companion certificate every two years instead of every year. The Delta card provides a free checked bag and priority boarding but no companion benefit.

The Rapid Rewards card stands out because the Companion Pass is a high-value annual benefit — it is worth $150 to $400 depending on the route. No other major airline card offers a free companion flight every year. However, this benefit only matters if you fly Southwest. If you fly United, Delta, or American more often, their cards may offer better value for your specific travel patterns.

Some general travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, earn points that transfer to multiple airlines and hotels. These cards offer more flexibility but typically do not include airline-specific perks like free checked bags or priority boarding. The choice depends on whether you want to concentrate your spending on one airline or spread it across multiple carriers.

How to maximize the card's rewards and benefits

To get the most value, use the card for everyday spending at partner merchants where you earn 2x points. Gas, restaurants, and hotels are common categories. Pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges, which would erase the value of the rewards.

Time your sign-up bonus strategically. If you have a Southwest trip planned within a few months, open the card and meet the spending requirement before your trip. This way, you can use the bonus points to fund that flight or a future one. The sign-up bonus typically requires you to spend a certain amount (often $500 to $1,000) within the first three months.

Use the Companion Pass on your most expensive flights. If you fly a short regional route and a long cross-country route, use the pass on the cross-country flight — the savings are larger. Book your companion flight during off-peak times when point prices are lower, if your schedule allows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Companion Pass on flights I book with points instead of cash?

Yes. The Companion Pass works on any Southwest flight you book, whether you pay with cash or points. Your companion still pays only taxes and fees, not the full point cost. This makes the pass especially valuable if you are redeeming a large point balance.

What happens to my Companion Pass if I don't use it by the end of the year?

The pass expires on December 31 and does not carry over to the next year. You lose it if you do not use it. However, you receive a new pass on January 1 if you still hold the card. Mark your calendar in November or December to remind yourself to book a trip if you have not used it yet.

Do I have to fly Southwest to get value from this card?

Not entirely. You earn 2x points at partner merchants like restaurants and gas stations, so you can accumulate points even if you do not fly. However, the Companion Pass and priority boarding are only useful if you fly Southwest. If you never fly Southwest, a general travel card may offer better value.

Can I transfer my points to another airline or use them for non-flight purchases?

Southwest points can only be used for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and a few partner redemptions. You cannot transfer them to other airlines or redeem them for cash. This is less flexible than some other airline programs, so consider whether you are comfortable locking your rewards into Southwest.

Is the Companion Pass the same as a free ticket I can give to someone else?

No. The Companion Pass only works when you book a flight for yourself. You must be on the same flight as your companion. You cannot give the pass to someone else to use on their own trip, and you cannot use it to book a flight for someone else without flying yourself.