The Companion Pass is a popular offer from Southwest Airlines that allows you to bring a companion for free on all of your Southwest flights. You only have to pay the taxes, which are usually just $5.60. Typically, it requires 135,000 points to earn a Companion Pass. However, right now, you can earn the pass with just one credit card welcome offer. Here’s everything you need to know.

Card Details

There are three Southwest personal cards. Each card currently has a limited-time offer for a one-year Companion Pass plus additional Southwest points. Here’s the breakdown:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 and 20,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Earn Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 and 30,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 and 40,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

<All information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier, and Priority Credit Cards has been collected independently by The Traveling Hansens. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.>

Fees and Benefits

As you can see, the slight difference between these offers is the spending required and the amount of additional Southwest points earned along with the Companion Pass. This is because each card has a different annual fee and benefits that come with the card.

• Plus: $99 annual fee. Benefits include the first checked bag free and Standard seat choice 48 hours before departure, 10,000 qualifying points toward a standard Companion Pass, and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• Premier: $149 annual fee. Benefits include the first checked bag free, Preferred seat choice 48 hours before departure, 10,000 qualifying points toward a standard Companion Pass, and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• Priority: $229 annual fee. Benefits include the first checked bag free, Preferred seat choice at booking (this guarantees that your party can sit together), free upgrades to Extra Leg Room seats 48 hours before departure, 10,000 qualifying points toward a standard Companion Pass, and 25% back on in-flight purchases.

How Does the Companion Pass Work?

Once earned, you can use your Companion Pass to add a travel buddy for free to all of your Southwest flights for the duration of your pass. The companion’s flight is free, but you will need to pay any taxes or fees. For domestic U.S. flights, this is just $5.60.

There are no limits to the number of times you can use the Companion Pass.

You must designate a companion before adding them to your flight, and you can change your companion up to three times per year.

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Who is This Offer For?

Because this offer earns a one-year Companion Pass instead of the traditional pass, which lasts up to two years, it’s worth noting who these offers are and are not for.

This offer is a good fit for you if:

• You aren’t interested in a traditional Companion Pass
• You have low spending
• You don’t want to open multiple cards
• Don’t want to open a business card
• You have (or can plan) multiple trips before February 28th, 2027, where you could use the pass

This offer may not be a good fit for you if:

• Are in the middle of working toward a traditional Companion Pass
• Don’t have trips planned where you can use the pass

Eligibility

These are personal cards and will count toward Chase’s 5/24 rule, and you must be under 5/24 to be approved.

Additionally, you can only hold one Southwest personal card at a time. To earn this bonus, it needs to be 24 months since you last earned it. If you’re a current cardholder, you’ll need to close your card and wait at least two weeks before reapplying.

Wrapping Up

We typically see this offer once a year, and now’s that time. It’s a great time to grab it if you want an easy way to secure BOGO flights for your family for the next 12 months!