What is a Companion Pass, you ask? Southwest runs a promotion for its most loyal customers every year, that if you reach a certain threshold of airline points and/or number of flights, that from that day through the next calendar year, you can name a companion to fly with you for free! (Yes, you read that correctly – FREE!, only paying a small amount of tax on the free flight. The last one I bought was $11.70 for a round trip flight). So, keep on reading to find out how I earn Southwest Airlines’ Companion Pass Every Year.
I have heard that some people do not like the overall feel and processes that Southwest offers; however, we find it’s great for our lifestyle, and I can honestly say I’ve never had an unpleasant flight with Southwest. They do not have traditional assigned seats like other airlines. If I had to guess that would be a drawback for some. The key is to check in early — 24 hours prior to your flight, to get a better boarding position so that you can choose any seat you want. (Insider tips!)
First off, you will need to sign up for a free Rapid Rewards Account. Sign Up Here if you don’t already have one. This is simply so that you can earn qualifying points to use on flights and ultimately reach that goal of earning Companion Pass. Now, if you don’t travel regularly for business you’re probably wondering how in the heck you could earn so many points OR flights to even get to that level!
The secret truly is in the Credit Card. The Southwest Chase Visa generally offers 1 point per $1 spent, and then 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines flights. Additionally you can shop through their affiliated stores – the Rapid Rewards Shopping site, and earn extra points that also count towards your companion pass, in addition to the dollars spent on those transactions.
The first year you enroll with a card, you will receive a variable number of points – just for signing up! Depending on the time of the year, I have seen this range from about 30,000 to 65,000 points. If you’re really clever, I’ve noticed that the highest points offers are offered around January and July, with some variability in between. The card offers 3 tiers to select, each with more perks that get you closer to earning that Companion Pass. *Side note, each card does have an annual fee, ranging from $69 to $149; I justify the annual fee by the free flights! I mean, really, can you even get a flight for less than $149 these days??
If you spend several thousand dollars (which varies based on card rules) in the first few months of card enrollment, you get an additional number of bonus points. Our true secret to earning the Companion Pass every year is that we put every. single. purchase. (Yes, EVERYTHING) on that Southwest Credit Card until we have reached our goal, which typically happens in the late summer/early fall. Think every bill, every grocery or gas purchase, literally Ev-er-RY-THING! Of course there are a few things we can’t utilize the card for (car payments, student loans), but everything else goes on that card until we reach our goal!
If you’re an online shopper, be sure to check out the Rapid Rewards Shopping site, and install the Google Chrome plugin to earn even more rapid rewards. Southwest affiliates with multiple different online stores where you can earn a bonus “lump sump” for signing up with a new service, or additional points per dollar by linking through the site. This plug in will also alert you when you’ve entered a site where you can earn extra points! (Thanks, Southwest!).
Disclaimer, Southwest does have services to most of the cities that my husband and I are traveling to, so before you commit, be sure that they’re flying where you want to go! In addition to many airports througout the US, they fly to Mexico, the Caribbean and just added Hawaii this year! We’ve been nothing but pleased with our experiences with the airline and enjoy utilizing our Companion Pass together multiple times throughout the year! If you want to you can check out our adventures here.
PS, you can also find additional points on travel needs (hotels & rental cars) by routing through the Southwest Rapid Rewards site as well, getting you all that much closer to earning companion pass! So I thought it would be beneficial to share how I earn Southwest Airlines’ Companion Pass every year so that you can too!! Happy Travels!
Did you sign up?? Let me know how it’s going! And be sure to check out my previous post on airplane travel essentials before you go! 😉
