how to earn the SOUTHWEST COMPANION PASS in 2025(2 for 1 FLIGHTS FOR TWO YEARS)
Updated September 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 + 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 100,000-point Southwest credit card bonus (personal cards) is live until September 17, 2025. This is double the usual sign-up bonus, making it the easiest time all year to qualify.
Here’s your step-by-step timeline:
By September 16, 2025:
Apply for a Southwest personal credit card while the 100k bonus is available.
Important: Do not complete the minimum spend until after January 1, 2026.
I recommend the Southwest Priority Card because you get Preferred Seat Selection at booking
November–Early December 2025:
Apply for a Southwest business credit card (Performance or Premier).
Again, delay meeting the minimum spend until after January 1, 2026.
January 2026:
Complete the minimum spend on both cards.
Watch the sign-up bonuses hit your account in 2026.
Cardholders will get 10,000 points boost in their account that go towards earning the Companion Pass (cannot book award flights with this).
Congrats, you’ve now earned the Companion Pass for all of 2026 and 2027!
Payton and I flew to Indy for the Taylor Swift concert with our Southwest Companion Pass saving us hundreds of dollars!
CAN I EARN THE SOUTHWEST COMPANION PASS WITHOUT APPLYING FOR A BUSINESS CARD?
It’s possible to earn the Southwest Companion Pass without applying for a business card but it will take some planning. Here’s how:
By September 16, 2025: Apply for one of the Southwest personal cards. This is very important because you need to take advantage of the limited, increased sign-up bonus of 100k points. Remember, do not complete the spend until after January 1st, 2026.
After January 1, 2026: Refer your spouse or a friend or two to the Southwest personal card. This will earn you a 20k referral bonus for each approval.
Book a hotel through Southwest Hotels for bonus points.
January 2026: Southwest will deposit 10k points into your account to help you reach 135k. These points cannot be redeemed for award flights; they are just to help you reach the 135k threshold.
Southwest Credit Cards to Consider (2025)
Personal Cards: 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. But with the 100k limited-time personal bonus, it’s worth grabbing the personal card first this year.
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.
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. With the 100,000-point sign-up bonus expiring September 17, 2025, now is the easiest time all year to set yourself up for nearly two years of free flights for two.
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!
