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Last chance: Earn a Southwest Companion Pass with a single credit card
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Last chance: Earn a Southwest Companion Pass with a single credit card

#Southwest Airlines #Companion Pass #credit card #travel rewards #limited-time offer #airline promotion #spending requirement

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Southwest Airlines offers a limited-time opportunity to earn a Companion Pass through a single credit card application.
  • The promotion requires meeting specific spending requirements on the card to qualify.
  • The Companion Pass allows a designated companion to fly free or at a discounted rate with the primary cardholder.
  • This is a time-sensitive offer, emphasizing urgency for interested travelers.

📖 Full Retelling

With a Companion Pass, your designated companion can travel with you for free — just pay taxes and fees.

🏷️ Themes

Travel Rewards, Credit Card Promotions

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This news is important for frequent travelers and Southwest Airlines customers because the Companion Pass is one of the most valuable loyalty program benefits in the airline industry, allowing a designated companion to fly free on paid flights. It affects credit card holders who want to maximize travel rewards and those considering applying for Southwest co-branded cards before promotional offers expire. The time-sensitive nature creates urgency for consumers to make financial decisions about credit applications and travel planning.

Context & Background

  • The Southwest Companion Pass has historically required earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, typically through a combination of flights and credit card spending
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards have periodically offered sign-up bonuses that count toward Companion Pass qualification, but these promotions are often limited-time offers
  • The Companion Pass benefit allows holders to bring a designated companion on flights for just the cost of taxes and fees (typically $5.60-$11.20 each way) when booking a paid ticket

What Happens Next

After the promotion ends, applicants will need to qualify for the Companion Pass through traditional methods requiring 135,000 points earned through flights and everyday spending. Southwest will likely introduce new credit card promotions in the future, but the specific terms and bonus amounts may change. Current cardholders who earn the pass will need to plan travel before it expires at the end of the following calendar year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is a loyalty program benefit that allows the pass holder to designate one person to fly with them for free (paying only taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight where the pass holder purchases a ticket. It's considered one of the most valuable airline loyalty benefits available.

How long does the Companion Pass last once earned?

The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it's earned plus the entire following calendar year. This means if earned in 2024, it would be valid through December 31, 2025.

What happens if I miss this credit card promotion?

If you miss this promotion, you can still earn the Companion Pass through traditional methods by accumulating 135,000 qualifying points from Southwest flights and credit card spending within a calendar year. Future credit card promotions may offer similar opportunities but with potentially different terms.

Are there any restrictions on using the Companion Pass?

Yes, the companion must travel on the same flight as the pass holder, and the pass holder must purchase a revenue ticket (not using points). The companion pays only government-imposed taxes and fees, typically $5.60-$11.20 each way depending on the route.

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Original Source
Right now, you can receive a Southwest Companion Pass as part of a limited-time welcome offer for three Southwest credit cards: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees ) Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees ) A Southwest Companion Pass allows you to bring a designated companion on any Southwest flight for the cost of taxes and fees. You can use it an unlimited number of times, and the Companion Pass that's available through these offers is valid through Feb. 28, 2027. That's a shorter timeframe than a standard Companion Pass, but it's much easier to earn. You can also earn 20,000 to 40,000 bonus points with these welcome bonuses . The bonuses on the Southwest Plus and Southwest Priority cards, in particular, are ending soon; you have until March 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. EST to apply and take advantage of them. Last chance: Southwest credit card Companion Pass offers A Southwest Companion Pass is normally valid for the rest of the year you earn it in and all of the following calendar year. So, if you earn a Companion Pass right now, it would be valid through the end of 2027. However, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying flights in the same calendar year to earn a Southwest Companion Pass. Having a Southwest credit card makes meeting these requirements easier, and right now, you can skip all of that by opening a personal Southwest credit card and meeting its spending requirements. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card After spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, you'll receive 20,000 bonus points and a Companion Pass that's valid through Feb. 28, 2027. Offer ends March 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. EST. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card CNBC Select Rating 4.5 Learn More On Chase's site CNBC Select Rating 4.5 Learn More On Chase's site Credit score Regular APR 19.24%-27.74% Variable Annual fee $99 Welcome bonus ...
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