Understanding the Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks any frequent flyer can have. It grants the holder the ability to bring along a companion on any Southwest flight for just the price of taxes and fees. This means you can effectively buy one ticket and get the other for free! The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it plus the entire following year. For example, if you earn the Companion Pass in June of 2022, you’ll have access to it through December 31, 2023.
The best part? There is a fairly simple “trick” to earning the pass. Instead of completing the normal requirement of flying 100 one-way flights or earning 125,000 Rapid Rewards points in a year, you can earn the pass by earning 125,000 Rapid Rewards points in just a few months via credit card sign-up bonuses and strategic spending. Here’s how it works:
The first step is to sign up for eligible Rapid Rewards credit cards. Southwest offers several co-branded credit cards through Chase, but only two of them (the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card) come with a sign-up bonus that counts toward the Companion Pass. Business cards, like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, are also eligible and can help you reach the 125,000 point threshold even faster.
Once you have the cards, you’ll need to start spending strategically. The goal is to hit the 125,000 Rapid Rewards points as quickly as possible. The sign-up bonus points—which can range from 40,000 to 80,000 depending on the card and current offers—will get you a good chunk of the way there. You can also earn points by using the cards to make everyday purchases, paying for bills, and even booking hotels and rental cars through Southwest’s travel partners.
One popular method for earning Rapid Rewards points is to use the credit cards to pay bills like rent, utilities or insurance. Services like Plastiq and RentTrack allow you to pay these bills with a credit card, but they charge a fee (around 2.5%) for the service. This means you’ll be paying extra to earn points, so you’ll need to do the math to see if it makes sense for your situation.
Another option is to use your credit card to book hotels and rental cars through Southwest’s travel partners. By doing this, you earn points not just on the credit card spend, but also on the travel itself. The Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal is another great option, as it allows you to earn extra points (sometimes up to 10x) on purchases made through the portal.
Overall, earning the Southwest Companion Pass through credit card sign-up bonuses and strategic spending is a great way to save big on travel. By following this “trick,” you can earn the pass quickly and get access to some amazing benefits. Just make sure you’re able to pay off your credit card balances each month to avoid interest charges, and always spend responsibly.
The Southwest Companion Pass Trick Explained
If you’re a frequent traveler, you know that airfare can add up quickly. That’s why it’s always a good idea to take advantage of airline rewards programs and promotions. One of the best rewards programs out there is the Southwest Companion Pass. This pass allows one designated person to fly with you for free (minus taxes and fees) for an entire year. If you’re wondering how you can get your hands on this coveted pass, read on for the Southwest Companion Pass Trick explained.
The Basics of the Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is a rewards program offered by Southwest Airlines. It allows you to designate one person to travel with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) for an entire year. This pass can be used an unlimited number of times, making it an incredible value for frequent travelers. To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to earn 125,000 Rapid Rewards points in a single calendar year. Once you earn that many points, you’ll have the Companion Pass for the remainder of the current calendar year and the entire following year.
The Companion Pass Trick Explained
The Southwest Companion Pass Trick is a strategy that allows you to earn the necessary 125,000 Rapid Rewards points without actually having to fly that much. The trick involves signing up for two Southwest credit cards that offer signup bonuses of at least 40,000 Rapid Rewards points each. By doing this, you’ll earn at least 80,000 Rapid Rewards points, which is already more than halfway to the 125,000 point requirement. The remaining points can be earned through everyday spending on the credit cards, as well as through other Southwest Rapid Rewards partners.
It’s important to note that to qualify for the Companion Pass, the 125,000 points must be earned within a single calendar year. This means that you’ll need to be strategic with the timing of when you sign up for the credit cards and when you make purchases on them.
The Southwest Companion Pass Trick can also be combined with other promotions, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal. This portal allows you to earn additional points for shopping at certain online retailers. By using the shopping portal in conjunction with the Companion Pass Trick, you can earn even more points without ever setting foot on a plane.
Overall, the Southwest Companion Pass Trick is a great way to earn a valuable travel perk without breaking the bank. By strategically using credit cards and taking advantage of rewards programs, you can enjoy countless flights with a free companion by your side.
Requirements for Earning the Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is a valuable travel perk that allows a designated companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) on unlimited Southwest flights for up to two years. Here are the requirements for earning the Companion Pass:
- Earn 125,000 Qualifying Points in a Calendar Year: To earn the Companion Pass, you need to earn 125,000 qualifying points (not to be confused with Rapid Rewards points) in a single calendar year.
Earning 125,000 qualifying points may sound overwhelming, but there are a variety of ways to earn them. First, you can earn points by booking and flying on Southwest flights. The number of points you earn for a flight depends on the fare you purchase and your Southwest Rapid Rewards status.
You can also earn points by making purchases through Southwest’s partners, including hotels, car rental agencies, and online shopping portals. Plus, Southwest offers a co-branded credit card that allows you to earn points for your everyday purchases. Keep in mind that only qualifying points (not bonus or promotional points) count towards earning the Companion Pass.
- Complete 100 One-Way Flights in a Calendar Year: If earning 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year seems like an impossible feat, you can also earn the Companion Pass by completing 100 one-way flights in a calendar year.
This requirement may seem daunting, but it can be achieved by strategically booking one-way flights instead of round-trip flights and taking advantage of Southwest’s frequent sales and promotions.
It’s important to note that only flights booked on Southwest-operated flights will count towards the 100 one-way flight requirement, so make sure to double-check your itinerary before booking.
- Take Advantage of Transfer Bonuses: One little-known trick for earning the Companion Pass is to take advantage of transfer bonuses from Southwest’s hotel and car rental partners.
For example, if you transfer hotel points from a partner like Marriott or Hyatt to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, those points will count towards the Companion Pass. Plus, Southwest occasionally offers transfer bonuses, allowing you to earn even more points for your transferred hotel or car rental points.
While transfer bonuses are a great way to earn extra qualifying points, they’re not always available, and the transfer ratios can vary. It’s important to do your research and make sure the transfer makes sense for you before going down this route.
Overall, earning the Southwest Companion Pass requires dedication and strategic planning, but the benefits (including free flights for a designated companion) are well worth the effort. By understanding the requirements and utilizing all the tricks available, you could be on your way to traveling with a free companion on Southwest for up to two years.
Maximizing the Value of the Southwest Companion Pass
Now that we have gotten down the basics of the Southwest Companion Pass, let’s talk about how to maximize its value. Here are some tricks and tips to help you get the most out of your pass:
1. Plan your trips strategically
With the Companion Pass, you have the opportunity to plan trips with your partner or friend without having to pay extra for their flight. This opens up many possibilities for travel, so it’s essential to plan carefully. Consider destinations that allow you to save the most on flights, such as high-priced tickets or places that take longer to get to. You can also book flights to different parts of the country and use your companion pass for other travel modes, like bus tours or rental cars.
2. Utilize holiday travel
During peak travel times, such as holidays, airfare can be costly. However, with the Southwest Companion Pass, this doesn’t have to be the case. You and your companion can travel without worrying about the high prices, and you might even save more by booking this way. As an added tip, plan trips for unusual holidays like President’s Day or Columbus Day, as these are typically less crowded, and there are still discounted airfare options.
3. Combine with Southwest Rapid Rewards
The Southwest Rapid Rewards program allows travelers to earn points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You can use these points to book additional flights or redeem them for hotel stays or rental cars. By combining your Rapid Rewards points with your Companion Pass, you save even more money and can travel more often.
4. Use credit cards to earn Rapid Rewards points
If you’re a frequent traveler, you can maximize your rewards by using the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. This card will help you earn points on everyday purchases that can then be redeemed for flights or other perks. As a bonus, some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer bonus points when you sign up, so be sure to take advantage of this offer.
Additionally, some credit cards offer points even if you’re not traveling. So be sure to look for the ones that offer bonus points on everyday purchases or sign-up bonuses worth 50,000 points or more. By using credit cards to your advantage, you’ll be on your way to free flights and more.
5. Book flights early
Lastly, and most important, book your flights early. This means being ready to book flights when they become available, often months in advance. By booking early, you ensure that you get the flight times and seats that work best for you. This also means that you can book flights for peak travel periods and still pay discounted prices with the companion pass.
By following these tips, you can make the most out of the Southwest Companion Pass and travel more often with your loved ones. Remember, the Companion Pass is an incredible perk that can save you thousands of dollars in travel costs, which means you have more money to spend on fun adventures and experiences.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Southwest Companion Pass Trick
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most sought-after perks for those who love to travel. This pass allows you to bring a companion with you on any Southwest flight for free (excluding taxes and fees) for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earned the pass, as well as the entire following year. This can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in travel expenses. However, there are some common mistakes to avoid when using the Southwest Companion Pass Trick to ensure you get the most out of this valuable perk.
1. Not Earning the Pass Correctly
The first mistake is not earning the pass correctly. The Southwest Companion Pass can be earned by either earning 125,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year or by taking 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. It is important to choose the option that works best for your travel habits and spending. Remember, qualifying points are earned through flights, spending on Southwest co-branded credit cards, and partner activities.
2. Not Timing Your Earning Correctly
The second mistake is not timing your earning correctly. To maximize your Companion Pass benefits, you want to earn it as early in the year as possible. Ideally, you want to earn the pass in January or February to ensure you get the full two years of Companion Pass benefits. If you earn it later in the year, your companion pass will expire at the end of the following year, meaning you lose out on a few months of benefits.
3. Not Understanding Companion Pass Rules
The third mistake is not understanding Companion Pass rules. It’s important to understand that you can only change your designated companion up to three times throughout the entire Companion Pass period. Additionally, the companion must be booked on the same flight itinerary as the pass holder. Lastly, the pass holder’s points or vouchers can be used to book the companion’s flight, but the companion’s ticket will not earn Rapid Rewards points.
4. Not Checking Flight Prices
The fourth mistake is not checking flight prices. Even though the Companion Pass covers the cost of the companion’s ticket, it’s important to always compare flight prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal. In some cases, it may be cheaper to book two separate tickets instead of using the Companion Pass.
5. Not Planning Ahead
The fifth and final mistake is not planning ahead. The Southwest Companion Pass is a valuable travel perk, but it requires some planning ahead to ensure you get the most out of it. This means not only earning the pass early in the year, but also planning your travel around your companion benefits. It’s also important to keep in mind that Southwest only flies to certain destinations, so you may need to be flexible with your travel plans.
In conclusion, the Southwest Companion Pass is a great way to save money on travel expenses, but it’s important to avoid these common mistakes to ensure you get the most out of this valuable perk.
