how to earn the SOUTHWEST COMPANION PASS in 2025(2 for 1 FLIGHTS FOR TWO YEARS)
Updated October 2025
What if I told you that you could fly two-for-one on Southwest Airlines for almost two full years? That’s exactly what the Southwest Companion Pass allows you to do. For every flight you book (whether you pay with cash or Rapid Rewards points), your designated “Companion” flies for just the cost of taxes and fees, usually about $5.60 each way.
For families, couples, or anyone who flies Southwest often, this is hands down one of the best travel rewards deals in the points world. And since Companion Pass Season 2025 is right around the corner, here’s my step-by-step guide on how to qualify.
Your companion can fly to Hawaii for just $5.60 as your companion using the Southwest Companion Pass
WHAT IS THE SOUTHWEST COMPANION PASS?
The Southwest Companion Pass is Southwest Airlines’ top perk. Once you earn it, you can bring a travel companion on any flight you take for just the cost of taxes and fees. This applies to both paid tickets and award flights booked with Rapid Rewards points.
No blackout dates
Works on domestic and international routes (yes, even Hawaii!)
Your companion can be changed up to 3x per year
If you travel with family, this can save you thousands of dollars in flights.
How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 2025
There are two ways to qualify:
Fly 100 one-way flights in a calendar year (realistically only business travelers pull this off).
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a single calendar year.
The good news? With credit card sign-up bonuses, most travelers earn the pass through points, not flights.
The Easiest Way: Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
Right now, the fastest strategy to earn the Companion Pass is through a mix of Southwest personal and business credit cards from Chase.
Here’s the catch:
You can only hold one personal Southwest card at a time.
To qualify, you’ll need one personal card + one business card, or two Southwest business cards
You must be under Chase’s 5/24 Rule (fewer than 5 new cards in the last 24 months).
We’ve been able to fly 2 for 1 to NYC in December for Christmas two years in a row
Timing Is Everything (How to Get Two Full Years)
The key to maximizing the Companion Pass is when your points post.
Once you earn 135,000 points, the Companion Pass is valid for the rest of that year plus the entire next year.
That means the best time to hit the points threshold is early January, so you lock in nearly 24 months of free companion flights.
Strategy for Companion Pass Season 2025
Limited-Time Offer: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card has a limited time increased offer of 120,000 points. This means you could earn the Companion Pass from the sign-up bonus of just this one card. The minimum spend is very high.
Here’s how:
Mid-October, apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card
You have THREE months to meet the minimum spend of $10k (yes, this is much higher than normal. Remember, you don’t want to complete the minimum spend until AFTER January 1st, 2026, so don’t apply for this card too early.
I would complete only $5k of the spend by December 31st
After January 1, 2026, I would complete the remaining $5k min spend (this will go towards your qualifying miles)
After meeting the spend in January you should have: 120k sign up points + 5k points from the spend in January, 10k points from the boost that SW gives you = 135k points - which earns you the Companion Pass
This is just one option to earn the companion pass with the limited increased bonus on that Southwest Performance Business card. I’ve outlined the steps towards the traditional method down below.
Here’s your step-by-step timeline:
By late October/early November:
Apply for a Southwest Business Card - Business cards can be more difficult to be approved for, so I recommend starting with this card. Plus, it has a higher minimum spend. If you get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card, you’ll earn 60k points. If you apply for the Performance Business card, you’ll have 120k points (with the limited, increased bonus).
Important: Do not complete the minimum spend until after January 1, 2026.
December/January 2026:
Apply for one of the Southwest personal cards. Make sure not to complete the minimum spend until after January 1, 2026. The current sign-up bonus for the personal cards is 50k points after meeting a $1,000 minimum spend which most of us can do fairly quickly. I recommend applying in January so that the minimum spend works towards the points needed to earn the Companion Pass.
Cardholders will get 10,000 points boost in their account that go towards earning the Companion Pass (cannot book award flights with this) in January which will bring you 120k points (60k + 50k + 10k boost)
To earn the remaining 15k points you’ll need to refer a friend in January or use one of the methods below (Southwest dining, hotels, shopping portal).
Payton and I flew to Indy for the Taylor Swift concert with our Southwest Companion Pass saving us hundreds of dollars!
Southwest Credit Cards to Consider (2025)
Personal Cards: I recommend applying for the Priority card since it allows you to select a seat AT BOOKING which will more than pay for the annual fee in my opinion. You can only hold one Southwest personal card at a time:
Business Cards:
Pro Tip: I usually recommend applying for the business card first, since approvals can be trickier.
Two for One flights means you get to bring a friend to NYC for your 17th Birthday!
Other Ways to Earn Southwest Points
In addition to credit card bonuses, you can boost your balance with:
Flying Southwest (and paying with your Southwest card for extra points)
Southwest Shopping Portal
Southwest Dining Program
Southwest Hotels bookings
Referral bonuses (earn up to 100k points per year when friends apply with your link). Just click here to generate your Referral link. You’ll need the last four numbers of your Southwest card. Try to refer friends and family in early January so those referral points will count towards your CP.
Important: Chase transfers, purchased points, and spousal point transfers do not count toward Companion Pass.
Why the Companion Pass Is So Valuable
Unlike other airline “companion tickets” that only apply once a year or on limited flights, the Southwest Companion Pass works on every flight you book. That includes:
Award flights booked with points
Paid flights booked with cash
Domestic + international routes
Your companion’s ticket costs just $5.60 in taxes each way, which means two people can fly roundtrip for around $20 total.
For families, this is a game-changer. Imagine booking flights with points and adding your teen, spouse, or best friend for just $11 roundtrip. That’s why so many people plan their year around Companion Pass Season.
The Companion Pass has saved us a ton with all-star Cheer out of state competitions
HOW to set up your southwest companion pass
Once you earn your Companion Pass, you must designate your Companion in your account. You can change this up to three times a year.
When you are ready to book your flights. You will log into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and:
Book your flight first (with cash or points)
After your flight is booked, go to the “My Trips” section of your account
Select your flight, then select “Add a Companion”.
You can learn more on how to set your CP up here.
With the Companion Pass you can fly “Two for One” anywhere Southwest flies!
FAQs About the Southwest Companion Pass
Does the Southwest Companion Pass work on award flights?
Yes! The Companion Pass works whether you book your flight with cash or Southwest Rapid Rewards points. As long as you have an eligible ticket, your companion can fly with you for only the taxes and fees.
Can you change your companion on the Southwest Companion Pass?
Yes, you can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. This makes it easy to switch between a spouse, family member, or friend depending on your travel plans.
Can I combine points with my husband’s Southwest account and earn the Companion Pass? No, all points must be earned under one Rapid Rewards account number.
How much are taxes and fees with the Southwest Companion Pass?
Most domestic flights only cost $5.60 each way in taxes and fees. For international flights, fees are higher but still very reasonable compared to the cost of a full ticket.
Does the Companion Pass work on all Southwest flights?
Yes! The pass is valid on all Southwest flights, including domestic, international, and Hawaii routes. There are no blackout dates. If there’s a seat available, your companion can book it.
How long is the Southwest Companion Pass good for?
Once you earn it, the Companion Pass is valid for the rest of that calendar year and all of the following year. That’s why timing your sign-up bonus is so important—you can stretch it to nearly two full years of two-for-one flights.
What if I currently hold one of the Southwest personal credit cards?
If it has been more than 24 months since you earned the bonus, you can close your card, wait 30 days and reapply like normal. Remember, it’s 24 months from the date you earned the sign-up bonus, not from when you were approved. If it has been less than 24 months since you were last approved for a Southwest personal card, you have to wait 24 months or try to earn the Companion Pass with the “two business cards method).
Can I get the personal card and my husband get the business card to earn the Companion Pass?
No. All 135k points must be earned under the same Southwest Rapid Rewards loyalty account.
We used our Companion Pass 4-5 times to reposition for a business class flight to Europe.
Final Thoughts
The Southwest Companion Pass 2025 strategy is all about timing your applications and spending.
Whether you’re planning family trips, quick getaways, or a Hawaii vacation, the Companion Pass can save you thousands in airfare. Don’t miss out this season. It’s the best deal in travel.
Happy Travels!
