What a Southwest Buddy Pass is and how you get one
A Buddy Pass is a free airline ticket that Southwest Airlines gives to cardholders, usually one or two per year depending on the card. It is not a discount code or a coupon — it is an actual ticket that lets someone fly on Southwest at no fare cost. You receive the pass in your account after meeting the card's spending requirement, and you give it to whoever you want to fly.
The person using the pass still pays taxes and fees, which typically run $5 to $15 per flight segment. They also need to book through Southwest directly, not through a travel website, and they must have a valid ID to check in. The pass itself has no cash value and cannot be sold or transferred to someone else — only the cardholder can distribute it.
Buddy Passes are not the same as companion passes. A companion pass, which some cards offer, lets a named person fly free with you on every flight for a year. A Buddy Pass is a one-time ticket you hand to one person for one trip.
Key Takeaways
- Buddy Passes are free tickets you receive after spending the required amount on your Southwest card, usually one or two per year.
- The person flying pays only taxes and fees (roughly $5 to $15 per segment), not the base fare.
- Buddy Passes must be booked directly with Southwest, and the person using it needs a valid ID at check-in.
- You cannot sell a Buddy Pass, and it does not roll over to the next year if unused.
- The pass works on any Southwest flight, including peak travel times, with no blackout dates.
When you receive your Buddy Pass and how long it lasts
Most Southwest cards award the first Buddy Pass after you spend the required amount in your first year — typically $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the card. You then receive another one each year you keep the card active, usually on your card anniversary.
A Buddy Pass is valid for one year from the date you receive it. If you do not use it within that year, it expires and you cannot extend it or carry it forward. This means if you receive a pass in March, you have until March of the following year to book a flight with it.
Some cards also offer a one-time Buddy Pass just for opening the account, separate from the annual passes you earn through spending. Check your card's welcome offer to see whether this applies to you.
How to give a Buddy Pass to someone and what they need to do
You distribute the Buddy Pass through your Southwest account. Log in, find the pass in your account dashboard, and enter the recipient's name and email address. Southwest then sends them a notification with a unique code they use to book their flight.
The person receiving the pass books directly on Southwest.com or by calling Southwest reservations. They enter the Buddy Pass code at checkout, and the system deducts the base fare but still charges taxes and fees. They can choose any available flight on any route Southwest flies, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
The recipient does not need to be a Southwest frequent flyer member, and they do not need to have a Southwest credit card. They do need a valid government-issued ID to check in, just like any other passenger.
What Buddy Passes are worth compared to buying a ticket
The value of a Buddy Pass depends on the route and the time of year. On a short flight like Dallas to Houston, the base fare might be $80 to $120, so the pass saves that amount. On a longer route like Los Angeles to New York, the base fare could be $200 to $350, making the pass worth more.
Southwest does not charge change fees, so the person using your Buddy Pass can move their flight to a different date or time without penalty — they only pay the difference if they switch to a more expensive flight. This flexibility is part of what makes the pass valuable.
The pass is most valuable if you give it to someone who would otherwise buy a ticket. If the recipient would not have flown otherwise, the pass has value to you as a gift, but it does not directly offset the card's annual fee or spending requirement.
Restrictions and what you cannot do with a Buddy Pass
You cannot sell a Buddy Pass, trade it, or give it to someone who then sells it. Southwest's terms say the pass is for personal use only, and selling it violates the cardholder agreement. Southwest does not actively police this, but if discovered, it can result in account closure.
The pass does not work on partner airlines. Southwest operates its own fleet and does not code-share with other carriers, so a Buddy Pass is only good for Southwest flights. If your recipient wants to fly on another airline, the pass cannot be used.
You cannot combine a Buddy Pass with other discounts or promotions. The person using it cannot also explore a promo code or a senior discount. The pass covers the base fare only — they still pay the full taxes and fees.
Comparing Buddy Passes across Southwest credit cards
Southwest offers several credit cards through different issuers, and the Buddy Pass benefit varies slightly by card. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card both award one Buddy Pass per year after you meet the spending requirement. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Card also awards one per year.
Some cards offer a one-time Buddy Pass as part of the welcome bonus, in addition to the annual passes. Check the specific card's terms to see whether this applies. The number of passes and the spending threshold to earn them are the main differences between cards in the Buddy Pass category.
If you hold multiple Southwest cards, you receive a Buddy Pass for each card, so you could have two or more passes per year. However, each pass must be distributed separately through its own card account.
Whether a Buddy Pass is worth the card's annual fee
Most Southwest cards charge an annual fee of $69 to $99. Whether the Buddy Pass offsets that fee depends on whether you actually use it and what the flight would have cost.
If you give the pass to someone who would buy a ticket worth $150 or more, the pass likely pays for itself and the annual fee. If the pass goes unused or goes to someone flying a short route worth $60, the card's other benefits — such as points on purchases, statement credits, or priority boarding — need to justify the fee instead.
The best use case for a Southwest card is if you fly Southwest regularly and want the points earning rate and perks, and the Buddy Pass is a bonus benefit. If you rarely fly Southwest and are considering the card only for the Buddy Pass, the math usually does not work out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Buddy Pass on a flight I am also taking?
No. A Buddy Pass is for someone else to fly. You cannot use it on your own ticket or combine it with a ticket you purchase. If you want to fly with someone, you each need separate tickets or a companion pass benefit.
What happens if the person using my Buddy Pass misses their flight?
Southwest allows the person to rebook on a later flight at no change fee, just like any other passenger. If they rebook on a more expensive flight, they pay the difference. If they rebook on a cheaper flight, Southwest does not refund the difference.
Can I give my Buddy Pass to a family member or does it have to be a friend?
You can give it to anyone — family, friends, coworkers, or anyone else. There is no restriction on the relationship between you and the person using the pass. Southwest only requires that you enter their name and email to distribute it.
Do Buddy Passes work on international flights?
Southwest does not fly international routes, so Buddy Passes cannot be used on international flights. Southwest's network is limited to the continental United States, Hawaii, and a few Caribbean destinations. The pass works on any Southwest flight within that network.
What if I receive a Buddy Pass but do not know anyone who wants to fly?
If you do not use the pass before it expires, it disappears from your account. You cannot donate it, sell it, or extend it. The best option is to give it to a coworker, friend, or family member even if you do not see them often — most people appreciate a free flight.