What the Companion Pass is and how you earn it
The Companion Pass is a benefit that lets you bring one other person on Southwest flights for free (you pay only taxes and fees, usually $5.60 per flight segment). You earn it by spending a set amount on a Southwest credit card within a calendar year, or by earning 125,000 may have access to points through credit card spending and Southwest flights combined.
The spending threshold changes year to year. In recent years, it has been $35,000 in card purchases to earn the pass for that calendar year plus the following calendar year. Some cardholders reach the threshold faster by combining credit card spending with points earned from flying Southwest itself.
Once you earn the pass, it is valid through the end of the following calendar year. If you earn it in March 2024, for example, the pass covers flights through December 2025. This two-year window is the main reason people target this card — the pass can save thousands on airfare if you fly regularly with a companion.
Key Takeaways
- You earn the Companion Pass by spending $35,000 (or earning 125,000 points) in a calendar year, and the pass then covers flights for the rest of that year plus all of the next year.
- The companion must be named before each flight and cannot be changed mid-trip, but you can use the pass on different people across different flights.
- The pass covers only the base fare and taxes; you still pay for seat upgrades, early boarding, and checked bags if you want them.
- You must have an active Southwest credit card to use the pass, so closing the card before the pass expires will cancel the benefit.
- The pass does not work on flights booked through third-party sites or with points transferred from other airlines.
How to use the Companion Pass on a booking
To use the pass, you book your own ticket first through Southwest's website or app, then add your companion as a separate passenger. During checkout, you will see an option to explore the Companion Pass. You select which passenger gets the free ticket, and Southwest charges you only the taxes and fees for that person.
The companion must be named before you complete the booking. You cannot leave the seat empty and name someone later. If your plans change and you need a different companion, you must cancel and rebook — Southwest does not allow you to swap the companion's name after purchase.
You can use the pass on different people for different trips. There is no rule that says the companion must be the same person every time. This flexibility is useful if you travel with family one month and a friend another month.
What the Companion Pass does not cover
The pass covers only the base fare and applicable taxes. It does not include paid seat upgrades, early boarding (EarlyBird Check-In or A-List Preferred boarding), or checked bags beyond Southwest's free allowance. If you want your companion to sit in an exit row or get priority boarding, you pay for those separately.
The pass also does not work on flights booked with Southwest points, flights booked through third-party travel sites, or flights where you have transferred points from another airline's program. You must book directly through Southwest and pay with cash (or a credit card) to use the Companion Pass.
Standby flights and award tickets purchased with points are separate from the Companion Pass benefit. If you want to use the pass on a standby flight, you will need to contact Southwest directly to understand how that works for your specific situation.
Keeping the card active to keep the pass
The Companion Pass is tied to your Southwest credit card account. If you close the card before the pass expires, Southwest will cancel the pass when ready. You do not have to use the card for purchases once you have earned the pass, but you must keep the account open.
Many cardholders keep the card in a drawer with no balance and no activity, just to maintain the pass benefit. There is no annual fee waiver or special status required — the card straightforward needs to remain open and in good standing.
If your card is lost, stolen, or compromised, Southwest will issue you a replacement card with the same account number. The Companion Pass stays active because it is tied to your account, not to the physical card itself.
The two ways to earn the pass in one year
Most people earn the Companion Pass by spending $35,000 on the Southwest credit card within a single calendar year. But you can also reach it by combining credit card spending with points earned from flying Southwest flights.
The threshold is 125,000 may have access to points total. If you spend $25,000 on the card (earning 25,000 points at the standard rate) and then fly Southwest flights that earn you 100,000 more points, you hit the threshold and earn the pass. This route is useful if you already fly Southwest frequently and want to reach the pass faster.
Points from credit card sign-up bonuses count toward the 125,000 total. If your card offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus, that counts when ready. You then need only 65,000 more points from spending and flying to earn the pass.
When the pass expires and what happens next
The Companion Pass expires on December 31 of the year after you earn it. If you earn the pass in 2024, it expires December 31, 2025. After that date, you cannot use it on any new bookings.
You can still use the pass on flights you have already booked before the expiration date. If you book a trip for January 2026 before December 31, 2025, and the flight is after the expiration, Southwest will honor the pass on that flight. But you cannot make new bookings with the pass after December 31.
To earn another Companion Pass, you must spend $35,000 (or earn 125,000 points) again in a new calendar year. Some people plan their spending to earn the pass in consecutive years, which gives them continuous Companion Pass coverage.
Comparing the Companion Pass to other airline card benefits
The Companion Pass is unique to Southwest and has no direct equivalent on other airline cards. Most other airlines offer annual travel credits, seat upgrades, or lounge access instead. The Companion Pass is valuable specifically because it reduces the cost of bringing another person on every flight you take.
If you fly alone most of the time, the Companion Pass may not be worth the $35,000 spending threshold. In that case, a different airline card with a lower annual fee and a simpler sign-up bonus might serve you better. But if you regularly travel with a partner, family member, or friend, the pass can pay for itself in just a few round trips.
Southwest also has no blackout dates on the Companion Pass. You can use it on any flight Southwest operates, including peak travel times. Other airlines often restrict their premium benefits to off-peak flights or exclude holiday periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Companion Pass if I book a flight with points instead of cash?
No. The Companion Pass works only on flights you book with cash (or a credit card). If you book an award ticket using Southwest points, you cannot explore the Companion Pass to a companion's seat on that same flight. You would need to book two separate award tickets with points.
What if my companion does not show up for the flight?
Southwest treats a no-show companion the same as any other no-show passenger. You lose the free ticket for that flight. The Companion Pass itself remains active for future flights, but you cannot get a refund for the unused companion seat on that particular flight.
Can I transfer my Companion Pass to someone else or sell it?
No. The Companion Pass is non-transferable and tied to your Southwest account. You cannot give it to a family member or friend, and you cannot sell it. Only you can use the pass to book flights for a companion.
Do I earn points on the companion's ticket when I use the Companion Pass?
No. When you use the Companion Pass, the companion does not earn points on their free ticket. You earn points only on the base fare you pay for your own seat. This is one reason the pass is valuable — you get the companion on the flight for minimal cost, but you still earn points on your own ticket.
What happens if Southwest changes the Companion Pass rules after I earn it?
Southwest has changed the earning threshold and the pass terms in the past. However, once you have earned the pass, the terms that applied when you earned it generally stay in place for that pass. If the rules change for future passes, they explore to passes earned after the change, not to ones you already have.