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Table of Contents

Southwest rapid rewards points basics, how the southwest companion pass works, how to earn the companion pass, how to maximize the companion pass, best ways to use the southwest companion pass for vacations, final thoughts.

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The  Southwest Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program offers some outstanding redemptions for travel around the U.S. and international locations.

While these redemptions are a good value on their own, you get the greatest value when redeemed with the Southwest Companion Pass. If you haven’t heard of the Companion Pass, you’re in for a surprise!

In addition to the low number of reward points needed to book Southwest flights in general, Southwest gives you an extra  free  ticket for no extra points when you have a Companion Pass!

Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be earned by signing up for the Southwest credit cards. You earn points toward the Companion Pass with every purchase made with a Southwest card so make sure you’re ready to put a lot of spending on your card!

This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal Southwest card offering from Chase. When you peel back the curtain, it is easy to see why.

Not only does the card offer multiple bonus categories to help you earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points, but it is also loaded with benefits that are sure to offer quite a bit of value to Southwest flyers.

Here is a full overview of the card to help you decide if it is a good fit for your wallet.

• 3x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases
• $149 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable points
• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest ® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• $75 Southwest ® travel credit each year.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

Earn Southwest points on every purchase, plus anniversary points, Tier Qualifying Points, and points toward the Companion Pass!

Another week, another flight. Flying weekly can get tiring, but you know that every flight gets you closer to taking some great vacations with your significant other or your favorite travel buddy.

To save money on the flights, you like to use Southwest Airlines.

So why not get the Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card to help you earn extra Rapid Rewards points?

• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Earn 85,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 6,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest ®  purchases.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In ®  each year.
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  $0

This card makes it easy to earn unlimited points and qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

If you spend a lot of time in the air, it’s important to get a great deal on your plane tickets.

Southwest Airlines can help you get those deals.

One way to save is by using the Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Plus Credit Card . This card helps you earn points for all your spending, and earning more reward points is always a good thing for a busy traveler!

• 2x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
• $69 annual fee
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest ® purchases.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In ® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Each of these cards has an annual fee and typically come with a sign-up bonus, so check out their reviews for the current offers.

You can also transfer Chase points to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account at a 1:1 rate.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 22.49%–29.49% Variable

Business owner? See our list of the best Chase business credit cards .

The travel rewards cards have an annual fee, but the cash-back cards (which can convert into Chase reward program points) do not. All cards typically have a good sign-up bonus.

Search on Southwest.com for the lowest fares using their designated  lowest fares search  engine. Select the option to show the price in “points” when you search for availability.

The number of Rapid Rewards points needed for a ticket on Southwest Airlines is based on the “ destination, time, travel date, demand, fare class, and other factors.”

Typically, you get:

• Business Select fare: ~78 points/$1
• Anytime fare: ~78 points/$1
• Wanna Get Away plus fare: ~76-78 points/$1
• Wanna Get Away fare: ~76-78 points/$1

There’s an estimated fares destination map located  here  to see specific rates, but fares are still subject to change depending on the parameters mentioned above.

Southwest may not be the largest carrier, but it is probably the most popular carrier due to its commitment to customer service and status as a great low-cost carrier.

By far the best way to redeem points is to have and use the Southwest Companion Pass. You’ll get 2 tickets for the price of 1, regardless of whether you pay for the flight or use Rapid Rewards points!

You must earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a single calendar year to receive the Companion Pass .

These must be  eligible  points, such as points earned from flying (100 one-way flights in a year), Rapid Rewards credit cards (including sign-up bonuses), the Southwest Dining Program , shopping portal , or partners.

Note that points transferred from other programs or accounts (e.g.,  Chase Ultimate Rewards ) will not count toward earning a Companion Pass .

Purchased points, flight bonus points, tier bonus points, points earned from surveys, and partner bonus points will not count toward the Companion Pass.

Once you have earned the Companion Pass, it will be valid until December 31 of the year  after the year in which you earn it. So, you’ll get the most use out of the Companion Pass when you earn it in January because you can fly with it for nearly 2 years after that (e.g., January 2023 through December 2024).

The Companion Pass can be used  every time  you fly Southwest.

How To Check Your Companion Pass Progress

Checking your progress towards the Companion Pass is easy and can be done right on the Southwest Airlines website.

After logging on to your Southwest.com account, click on My Account in the upper right hand corner. Then you will see a progress chart in the My Rapid Rewards section in the middle of the page.

Your progress will be tracked in points and in number of flights. But you only need to achieve one of these requirements, not both, to earn the Companion Pass!

Hot Tip: Curious what the best credit card is? Check out this list of the best credit cards for Southwest Airlines flyers.

The companion pass is eligible for use with paid and award travel on both domestic and international Southwest Airlines itineraries. Before you can bring a friend or loved one, you must designate them as your companion.

Your companion can travel with you for only part of your itinerary if they choose, but they cannot travel without you  on the Companion Pass . Additionally, you can change your designated companion up to 3 times per year.

If you lose the physical pass Southwest sends you by mail, don’t worry; you don’t actually need it to book a flight.

Following the above strategies, you can feel confident that you have maximized the value of your Southwest Companion Pass. Now, all you have to do is look for great deals on domestic and international flights to take with a friend, relative, or partner!

Before you know it, you’ll be getting tons of value out of your Companion Pass and Rapid Rewards points.

Hot Tip: For more information check out our ultimate guide to the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass.

Using points and miles is where the fun really begins! After all your hard work earning them, it’s nice to get some ideas about where to go so you can start anticipating those trips!

1. Fly Dallas to Portland Round-trip

With the Companion Pass, you can fly yourself and a travel companion on a round-trip ticket from  Dallas to Portland  in economy class for 15,330 Rapid Rewards points.

Those reward points cover the cost of your ticket, and your travel companion flies for  nothing extra  except the occasional airport taxes and fees.

Full price without the Companion Pass, this same flight for 2 people would cost about $548 total. That’s a value of 3.6 cents per point, which is an excellent redemption!

2. Fly Baltimore to the Bahamas Round-trip

If you’re looking for a great international vacation, check out the “Wanna Get Away” fares from Baltimore to Nassau, Bahamas. You can book a round-trip ticket in economy class for 10,080 Rapid Rewards points.

Fees tend to be a bit higher on international flights, whereas they are quite low for domestic flights. But the redemption value is still good: this flight for 2 would give you a value of about 2 cents per point.

Hot Tip: If you time your spending right, you could earn the sign-up bonus points for 2 of Chase’s Southwest credit cards early in the calendar year. Then you’ll only have to earn the difference before the Companion Pass is yours!

3. Fly Denver to Los Cabos Round-trip

Southwest has been expanding its international footprint, and that’s good news for Companion Pass holders.

You can fly from Denver to Los Cabo, Mexico for 22,752 Rapid Rewards points round-trip. Purchasing 2 tickets on this route would typically cost you over $900, which means you’re getting over 4 cents per point thanks to the Companion Pass!

Hot Tip: Need some travel inspiration? Check out these lesser known international destinations that Southwest flies to.

4. Fly Atlanta to Punta Cana Round-trip

Another fun international route on Southwest is between Atlanta and Punta Cana. You can fly round-trip for 25,056 Rapid Rewards points with the Companion Pass.

Not a bad deal when you consider the fact that it would cost over $850 for 2 tickets!

Hot Tip: Looking to upgrade your trip? Use  The Platinum Card ® from American Express   to gain access to Priority Pass lounges .

5. Southwest Ticket Sales

Every so often, Southwest runs a “Low Fare” sale on certain routes. These sales include both domestic and international routes.

Recently, Southwest ran a sale that included one-way flights from Orlando to Aruba for only 8,784 Rapids Rewards points. For flights that would normally cost $384 for 2 people, this was a great deal with the Companion Pass.

You also could have booked a one-way flight from Atlanta to Cancun for 7,992 Rapid Rewards points. With the companion pass, you would get an amazing value of just over 4 cents per point!

There are also some great deals on domestic flights. We just saw one-way flights from Chicago to New Orleans for 9,757 Rapids Rewards points. That’s a redemption value of over 3 cents per point when using the Companion Pass.

These sale prices for award flights beat out most other competitors. Pair any sale ticket with the Companion Pass to maximize the value of your award!

Keep in mind that these points prices may change depending on your dates of travel.

Be sure to check both the Rapid Rewards points cost and cash cost of flights when searching for tickets. This enables you to determine if it’s worth it to use the points, or if you should simply pay for the flight in cash.

Check out all routes on Southwest’s  interactive route map .

Hot Tip: Get Ding ! Ding is Southwest’s own alert system that will notify you when flights to your chosen destination from your selected airports go on sale. You can get it for your desktop or in the iTunes store for iOS.

If you’re going to be flying Southwest regularly on domestic or international routes, then the Companion Pass is a no-brainer!

It’s also relatively easy to get considering the  many ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points , many of which can be earned without even flying !

You can pair the Companion Pass with any of the above award tickets on domestic and international flights to maximize the value you get out of your trip. Don’t hesitate, take advantage of this amazing deal!

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For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

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How to Add a Companion Pass on Southwest

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

One of the best perks in travel is undoubtedly the Southwest Companion Pass. By earning the Companion Pass, you can essentially book buy-one-get-one-free travel on Southwest Airlines with the travel partner of your choice. That opens the potential to incredible travel savings.

However, in order to start saving, you'll first need to designate your companion. Here's what you need to know about how to add a companion to your Southwest Companion Pass.

The basics of the Southwest Companion Pass

How to add your companion on a southwest flight, how to add a companion to an existing southwest reservation.

How to add a Known Traveler Number to your Southwest flight

We cover all the rules of the pass separately. But here's a quick overview of what you need to know about how to use the Southwest Companion Pass.

It's valid on both cash and Rapid Rewards points bookings. You can even add a companion to an existing Southwest reservation. You don't have to worry about any blackout dates or seat restrictions. If there's a seat available on a flight you purchased, you can add your travel partner for just the cost of the government fees (which start at just $5.60 each way).

The standard way to get the Companion Pass is by earning 135,000 Companion Pass-eligible points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights. If you earn it this way, your pass will be valid from the time you earn it through the end of the following calendar year.

Use Southwest credit cards to help you earn a Companion Pass

The points earned from a welcome offer on a Southwest credit card count as well. So if you apply for a Southwest card, you can get your pass even faster.

on Chase's website

Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

• 3 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, on local transit and commuting (including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• 4 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 3 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), internet, cable and phone services and on social media and search engine advertising.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).

• Reimbursement for 4 upgraded boardings, when available, each anniversary year.

• $75 Southwest travel credit each year.

• 7,500-point anniversary bonus each year.

• Reimbursement for 2 EarlyBird check-ins each anniversary year.

• 6,000-point anniversary bonus each year.

• 9,000-point anniversary bonus each year.

• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee.

• $8 per day in in-flight Wi-Fi credit (up to 365 times a year).

★ LIMITED TIME OFFER

Heads up! For a limited time, select Southwest Airlines credit cards are offering a sign-up bonus for new cardholders that's substantially larger than the standard offer — a bonus that NerdWallet calculates could be worth more than $1,200. The offer is good only through Oct. 9, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Some Southwest credit cards can help you earn a Companion Pass outright as part of a welcome offer, while others provide a signup bonus with a lot of points, helping you reach your Companion Pass goals. Southwest also periodically offers promotional ways to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. However, a pass earned through one of these promotions may have a different validity period.

When you earn the Companion Pass, you need to add a companion before they can fly with you. We'll show you how to do so below. If you don't have just one person you want to fly with regularly, you have the option to change your Southwest companion up to three times each calendar year. We’ll show you how to do that as well.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Congratulations, you've put in the work and earned a Southwest Companion Pass. You only have a critical step before you can use it: You need to select your companion.

1. Set up your Companion Pass online

Upon earning the pass, you should receive an email from Southwest with the good news. In the email, Southwest should provide a link to "Set up Companion Pass now:"

If you can't find the email or didn't get one, you can also designate your companion by logging into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and heading to your account dashboard . There should be a link there to "Add your Companion."

2. Add your companion's information

When you do so, Southwest will open an internal window for you to add your companion pass information. You're going to need to have the following information about them:

First and last name.

Date of birth.

Full address.

Phone number.

Southwest notes at the bottom to "Be sure to double check all fields" before submitting. Indeed, once you submit this form, there's no way to go back and change your Companion Pass information online. Instead, you'll need to call Southwest to make any changes to the information.

3. Book travel

Upon submitting the form, you'll get a pop-up that your Companion Pass has been added:

You can use your pass immediately after designating your companion. However, it will take around 21 business days for Southwest to process and mail you a physical Companion Pass card. Since that card may need to be presented at the airport on demand, it's best to wait until you receive that card before traveling and take it with you, just in case.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

How to change your Southwest companion

If you have a trip coming up and your existing companion isn’t the one you want to fly with, then you should change your Southwest companion. Remember that you can only change your companion up to three times each calendar year. So, you'll want to be strategic about any changes.

Unfortunately, you can't change a Southwest Companion Pass companion online. You'll need to call Southwest at 800-435-9792 to make the change.

Before you're able to change your companion, Southwest requires Companion Pass holders to cancel any reservation with the current pass holder.

Then, you'll need to allow 21 business days for Southwest to process and issue a new Companion Pass card. Be sure to make any changes well before you plan to use your pass with a new companion.

First, you'll need to book your own flight. Whether you're booking your flight through Southwest's website or through Southwest Vacations , you can't use your Companion Pass at the time of booking. Instead, once you book your flight, log in to your Rapid Rewards account dashboard. Under "My upcoming trips," Southwest puts a handy "Add Companion" button.

When you click that button, Southwest will automatically select the same flight and show the taxes and fees required to add a companion:

Even better, Southwest auto-fills information for your companion based on the information that you provided when designating the person initially.

Finally, complete payment for the taxes and fees to finalize the purchase. Note that your companion will have a different confirmation number than you, so you'll each need to check into your flight individually.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on Southwest

Bonus: How to add a Known Traveler Number to your Southwest flight

Southwest auto-fills most of your companion's information, but there's one critical element that may be left out. If your travel partner has TSA PreCheck or Global Entry , you'll need to manually add your companion's Known Traveler Number.

To add the Known Traveler Number for your Southwest companion, go into their reservation using their confirmation number. Under the passenger's name, there will be a link to "Add Known Traveler #." Click this link and fill in the number for your companion to get access to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Final notes to adding a companion on a Southwest flight

The Southwest Companion Pass is an incredibly valuable tool, allowing holders to essentially book buy-one-get-one-free travel. With this guide, you now know how to add a companion to your Southwest Companion Pass and add a companion to an existing reservation. Plus, you'll be able to change your Companion Pass designation if you want someone else to fly with you for nearly free on Southwest.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Southwest Is Making Its Way to Europe Thanks to This New Partnership — What to Know

A popular low-cost air airline is expanding globally.

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

A popular low-cost air airline is expanding globally.  Southwest Airlines recently announced a partnership to offer international flights by partnering with carriers who operate international fights in Southwest markets. “Southwest is formalizing partnerships with international carriers to expand its network and connect Customers with more global destinations to generate additional demand for travel across the Southwest network,” Southwest shared in a news release . The launch of this new international flight program will take place in 2025, with Icelandair as the first partner airline, and will depart from the Baltimore, MD (BWI) airport. There, travelers can fly on Icelandair to Iceland, where they can connect to a variety of European destinations including Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Oslo, Prague, Rome, and more. Icelandair is a discount carrier that operates international flights, and similar to Southwest, does not have a first or business class section on their aircraft.  “The partnership will unlock many exciting travel options for our customers, and our extensive network in Europe will open for Southwest customers,” Icelandair President and CEO Bogi Nils Bogason said in a statement .  “As part of our strategic focus on expanding our global partnership network, we seek out airlines known for exceptional service and connectivity.” As an example, a traveler would start their journey on Southwest from Nashville to Baltimore, and then continue on Icelandair from Baltimore to Iceland. The arrangement is similar to other airline alliances such as Star Alliance, or SkyTeam, although smaller.  Southwest added that the airline anticipates adding a second international partner, in a similar arrangement to Icelandair, within the next year.  The news comes from Southwest’s Investor Day , where the Dallas,TX-based carrier is updating its message to the financial community about new ways the airline will move towards profitability. Other changes include identifying $500 million in cost savings, assigned seating, premium seating, and an updated boarding process. 

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A guide to airline companion passes

If you often travel with friends or family, scoring a discount for your flight companion can make booking much more affordable.

Fortunately, some airline credit cards offer companion passes and discounts as benefits .

They go by a variety of names: companion pass, companion certificate, companion fare, companion ticket and more. And although most airlines offer a discount only for you and your travel buddy, there are ways to earn fully comped tickets.

Curious as to which airlines and cards offer the most help when it comes to cutting down on companion travel costs? Here’s a rundown of some of the best companion pass offers today.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest’s companion pass is quite possibly the most popular on the market – and can save you a ton of cash.

For just taxes and fees (roughly $6 per one-way ticket), you can bring a companion with you on any trip for the duration of your pass, which extends through the end of the year you earn it, plus a full calendar year after.

By timing your companion pass status wisely, you can have up to two full years of nearly free companion travel. But you will want to plan ahead to make sure you take full advantage of the benefit.

The best part? There’s no limit on the number of times you can use the pass.

After you’ve earned it, you can use it each time you book a flight with Southwest. You should see an option to add a companion to your flight for no additional ticket charge after you purchase your ticket.

How to earn one

There are two ways to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass:

• Completing 100 qualifying one-way Southwest flights within a year

• Earning 135,000 qualifying points through Southwest Rapid Rewards

Points earned through Rapid Rewards will count toward the pass, but any points that are purchased, transferred or converted from another loyalty program will not apply.

Using a Southwest co-branded credit card is a great way to maximize your spending toward a companion pass, if that’s your goal. Here are a few to consider:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card*

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

American Airlines

For frequent American Airlines flyers, American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards give you a few companion certificate options.

American’s companion certificate allows you to bring along a guest on one round-trip main cabin domestic ticket for $99 (plus taxes and fees).

The certificate expires after a year and is only valid for flights within the continental United States. And make sure you read the offer carefully; some details can vary depending on the card you use.

There are a few different credit cards you can use to earn a companion certificate with American Airlines.

With the following cards, you can earn the certificate for one companion after you spend $30,000 or more in a year and keep your account open for 45 days beyond your card anniversary:

• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®*
• AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®*

You can also earn a certificate with the cards below when you spend at least $20,000 annually and your account remains open for 45 days following your anniversary date.

• AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®(with this card, you’ll earn a companion certificate for two guests at $99 each, plus taxes and fees)*
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*

When you meet the qualifications, American Airlines will send you a companion certificate with specific booking details.

British Airways

British Airways offers its own version of companion passes, called travel together tickets.

This British Airways offer is available when you book reward flights with the Avios you earn. With the ticket, you’ll receive a second seat (of equal value) to bring a friend along on a future trip – paying only taxes, fees and carrier charges.

Alternatively, you can use the ticket to pay just 50% of your British Airways Avios value when you book a reward flight without a companion.

The offer is for British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus reward flights that originate from anywhere; you’re not limited to flights originating from the U.S. You should also be aware that taxes, fees and carrier charges on international flights can often exceed $1,000, so the travel together offer certainly varies in value.

• Using a British Airways Visa Signature® Card, you can qualify for the companion ticket by spending $30,000 in a single calendar year (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31).

After qualifying for the ticket, it is good for two full years.

Delta Air Lines

Delta’s co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit cards offer a few different options for earning its companion certificate.

The certificate allows you to bring along a travel buddy on a single eligible round trip domestic flight. You are still responsible for paying taxes and fees, but these charges are capped at $80 ($250 for international flights).

If you’re an eligible Delta cardholder, you’ll receive a companion certificate each year of membership upon the renewal of your card. There are currently four eligible cards:

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (main cabin only)

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (main cabin only)

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (first-class eligible)

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (first-class eligible)

You won’t receive a certificate until you renew your card membership, so it’ll take waiting until your second year to reap the benefit. Once you’ve been awarded the certificate, you have until your next renewal date to take advantage.

Hawaiian Airlines

As a Hawaiian Airlines cardholder, you can earn one-time or annual companion discounts on flights with the airline.

Each of the eligible cards offers a one-time 50% discount on a single round-trip coach fare ticket for a companion flying with you.

But two of the cards also offer an annual $100 discount off a companion’s round-trip coach fare ticket. These discounts apply to travel between Hawaii and North America booked directly with the airline.

The one-time 50% discount is eligible for 13 months after opening your account, and annual $100 discounts are good for 12 months after each anniversary. Unfortunately, the 50% off doesn’t apply to taxes, fees or surcharges.

Here are the exact discount offers from each eligible Hawaiian Airlines credit card:

• The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®(one-time 50% off and $100 yearly companion discount)*
• Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®(one-time 50% off and $100 yearly companion discount)*
• Hawaiian Airlines® Business Mastercard®(one-time 50% off companion discount)*

Alaska Airlines

Eligible Alaska Airlines cardholders can earn the airline’s companion fare after meeting certain requirements.

The companion fare offer is good toward one round-trip coach companion fare. You’ll still pay a $99 base fare, plus taxes and fees (starting at $23), and the companion fare must be on the same itinerary and same booking as your purchased ticket.

When you apply for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, you could be eligible for the following offer: Get a $0 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) and 50,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases made with the Alaska Airlines Visa® card.

To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. The card has a $95 annual fee.

• You can also qualify with the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card, which has a welcome offer of 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in your first 90 days, plus companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).

After you earn the welcome bonuses on these cards, you can keep earning the companion fare discount code by spending at least $6,000 on your card each year.

With Lufthansa’s co-branded rewards card, you can get one companion ticket each year.

These tickets are eligible for economy-class bookings departing from the U.S. to eligible international destinations. You’ll still have to pay taxes and fees, but you’ll be gifted a fully covered ticket each year you hold your card membership.

To reserve a seat with your companion ticket, you’ll have to call the Miles & More Companion Ticket Service at 866-461-5399.

• You’ll need to be a Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®cardholder to score Lufthansa’s companion ticket.

When you sign up for the card, you’ll be gifted your initial companion ticket after you complete your first purchase. Afterward, you’ll receive an additional companion ticket on each account anniversary if you hold your membership.

Lufthansa’s companion offers are good from the date they’re issued until your next account anniversary.

The bottom line

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a once-in-a-while traveler, your pocket will feel a little heavier when you’re able to bring company along at a fraction of the cost.

While each airline offers ways to save when traveling with friends or family, you can really maximize your savings by planning ahead and taking full advantage of your preferred airline’s deals.

The information on the cards indicated with an asterisk has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Yesterday, Southwest Airlines announced plans to increase global routes via partnerships with international carriers. The first collaboration, with Icelandair, will launch in 2025, opening travelers up to various European destinations . The news came as Southwest conducted its Investor Day briefing in Dallas.

Southwest grows its global network with Icelandair

By joining forces with Icelandair, Southwest can route passengers through Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) to Iceland and beyond, greatly expanding the airline’s international reach. BWI will serve as Southwest’s first gateway for global travelers, with more locations to open in the future. Next year, the airline plans to add at least one more partnership with an international carrier.

Icelandair is similar to Southwest, with no business class or first-class seating. Once Southwest passengers land at BWI and board an Icelandair flight, they’ll travel to Iceland, with the option to route to Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and more. 

• In 2026, Four Seasons adds a new itinerary to its Private Jet Experience
• Travel to Mexico impacted by Hurricane Helene: Airlines provide rebooking options
• Cathay Pacific announces non-stop flights from Dallas to Hong Kong

A Southwest news release noted : “Southwest is formalizing partnerships with international carriers to expand its network and connect Customers with more global destinations to generate additional demand for travel across the Southwest network. Icelandair will become Southwest’s initial partner with an expected launch in 2025 through Baltimore-Washington International Airport, which will serve as its first U.S. gateway for the carriers. The Icelandair partnership will expand gateways throughout 2025, and Southwest intends to add at least one additional partner carrier next year.”

Icelandair President and CEO Bogi Nils Bogason commented : “We are very excited to add Southwest to our impressive partnership portfolio and are honored to be chosen as their initial airline partner. The partnership will unlock many exciting travel options for our customers, and our extensive network in Europe will open for Southwest customers.  As part of our strategic focus on expanding our global partnership network, we seek out airlines known for exceptional service and connectivity.  We welcome Southwest as a partner and look forward to working together to make the journeys of our mutual passengers smooth and enjoyable.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Delta’s new partnership makes Scandinavian travel easier than ever
• Alaska Airlines makes its Flight Pass subscription service even better
• Delta expands transatlantic routes for summer 2025
• Breeze Airways’ sale offers 40% off base fares
• Air France renames “Premium Economy” to “Premium” to reflect upmarket offerings

Next month, Emirates will add refurbished Boeing 777s to its fleet, serving six major US hubs. The upgraded planes will feature interior enhancements across all cabins, including Business Class and Premium Economy. The new interiors blend new colors and designs, including carpeting, wood finishing, and wall panels. Emirates’ new 777s fly to these US destinations Emirates Boeing 777 Premium Economy seating Emirates

By adding the retrofitted 777s to its fleet, Emirates will offer Premium Economy to and from 10 of 12 of its US gateways. In addition, the planes will feature the new Emirates 777 Business Class, with 1-2-1 seating, a personal mini-bar, lie-flat seating, and more. The airline’s continued introduction of Premium Economy across its US network lets passengers enjoy affordable luxury to Dubai and beyond, including Mumbai, Singapore, and Bangalore.

Starting March 6, 2025, American Airlines adds direct service between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Tampico International Airport (TAM), Mexico. Envoy Air will operate the flights via the regional American Eagle brand using Embraer E170 jets. Bookings open on September 16.  American Airlines’ DFW to TAM flight is the only direct option available

According to FlightAware, several carriers — like United, Viva Aerobus, American, and Mesa Airlines — already offer flights between DFW and TAM, but none are direct. American’s new route is the sole point-to-point option, providing a valuable addition for Mexico-bound passengers. By adding Tampico, American’s Mexico destinations total 31, the most of any airline. 

Last week, JetBlue shared plans for new airport lounges at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The openings are part of the airline’s “JetForward” strategy, which aims to grow premium amenities. In the process, TrueBlue Mosaic loyalty members will gain a valuable Signature Perk. Lounge access will also be available to holders of an in-the-works premium credit card. JetBlue lounges will offer a premium experience for loyalty members JetBlue Mint seating JetBlue

The JFK lounge will be located in Terminal 5 and will open in late 2025. Boston’s Terminal C lounge should open shortly after. The lounges are in response to travelers’ needs, yet with their expected popularity, they will only be available to Mosaic 4 loyalty members, Transatlantic Mint customers, and premium credit card holders. The spaces are part of JetBlue’s premium, affordable experience, whether in the air or on the ground.

Southwest Airlines to launch assigned seats in 2026, will partner with international airlines

• Southwest assigned seats go on sale in late 2025, take flight in early 2026.
• Carrier is pursuing international airline partnerships, starting with Icelandair.
• New Rapid Rewards perks coming, including free extra legroom seats for A-List members.

Southwest Airlines' new assigned seating model — complete with its first-ever extra-legroom seats — is set for takeoff in early 2026.

Meanwhile, big changes are in the works for Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program , including new benefits for A-List and A-List Preferred elite status members and opportunities for international redemptions as the Dallas-based carrier prepares to launch partnerships with international airlines.

Together, these changes will mark perhaps the biggest commercial overhaul for Southwest in a half-century, as the carrier faces mounting concerns about its financial performance.

"We are moving urgently and efficiently to evolve and transform," CEO Bob Jordan told investors in Dallas Thursday as the company held its annual investor day.

This news comes two months after Southwest executives first unveiled plans in late July to add extra-legroom seats and ditch its trademark seating policy, a unique arrangement that's been a hallmark of the airline for the last half-century.

Both are part of a comprehensive plan by executives to boost revenue, as the airline has far trailed its larger U.S. competitors like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in profitability since the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, as TPG reported last week , one key Southwest policy will remain in place: The carrier is not ditching its popular two "bags fly free" policy.

But big changes are around the corner across many aspects of Southwest's operation. Here's what we know about the plans.

Related: Southwest Airlines cuts 15 destinations from Atlanta, adds 6 new Nashville routes

When will Southwest assigned seating begin?

Southwest will begin selling assigned seats in late 2025.

The airline will begin flying with its assigned seating model in the first half of 2026, the carrier said Thursday.

This summer, the carrier cited exhaustive customer research in deciding to shift to a new assigned model. In July, Jordan cited survey data which found that 80% of Southwest flyers would prefer assigned seating, and that a whopping 86% of customers who don't fly Southwest preferred the model.

"Customers travel different following the pandemic," Jordan told investors Thursday. "Customer preferences have changed."

The goal, executives said, is to broaden the airline's appeal to more flyers.

"Southwest flies farther than ever, and seat assignments are a higher priority on long-haul flights," Southwest added in a broader Thursday statement summing up its overhaul plan.

Will Southwest charge for assigned seats?

Southwest passengers flying on the airline's lowest-level ticket type, Wanna Get Away, will not get complimentary seat selection. Travelers who don't pay to select a seat ahead of time will receive a seat assignment prior to departure.

Customers who select a Wanna Get Away Plus fare type (or higher) will get complimentary seat selection at booking.

The airline will also upcharge passengers on some tickets for "preferred" seats — which are standard seats situated closer to the front of the aircraft.

Southwest extra-legroom seats

Southwest's "premium" seats will offer up to five additional inches of pitch, the carrier said Thursday — though depending on the row and aircraft, the difference from standard seats may be closer to three inches. (Pitch is the distance from a fixed point on one seat to the same spot on the seat in front of it, often viewed as a proxy measurement for legroom.)

About a third of the seats on board Southwest's planes will offer the extra legroom, the airline said Thursday while noting it will maintain "a standard economy seat pitch among the best in the industry."

However, standard economy seat pitch will decrease by about an inch on some Southwest aircraft, the company revealed.

Extra-legroom seats will cost extra, but the airline will offer the seats for free as part of its reworked status perks for A-List and A-List Preferred.

New international partner

To boost interest in its Rapid Rewards loyalty program and offer more global connectivity to its frequent flyers, Southwest is now formalizing partnerships with international airlines, the carrier said Thursday.

Southwest's first partner will be Icelandair, with an initial launch of the linkup expected in 2025.

The two airlines will use Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) as their initial joint gateway but expand their offerings next year.

The partnership will be more limited from the outset, with Icelandair selling Southwest segments through its booking channels.

However, the longer-term vision calls for a much deeper tie-up once Southwest begins assigned seats. Rapid Rewards members should be able to use Rapid Rewards points to book overseas flights, to Icelandair's home base Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavík and beyond.

"In the not-too-distant future, our customers will be able to earn and [redeem] Rapid Rewards points to go to Rome, and go to London, and go to places in Asia," Ryan Green, Southwest's executive vice president of commercial transformation, said Thursday.

Southwest also expects to add at least one international partner next year.

The carrier is "in discussion," leaders said, with other transatlantic and transpacific airlines.

Rapid Rewards changes expected

Earning and redeeming Rapid Rewards points will remain unchanged — with no blackout dates for redemptions — even as the carrier prepares to make changes to its benefits, including the perks for elite status.

Assigned seats and premium seating will certainly play prominently into those tier benefits, leaders have said — as will the airline's new partnerships.

A-List and A-List Preferred seating benefits

As part of the changes, A-List elite status members will be able to select standard legroom seats at booking and extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure for no additional cost.

A-List Preferred members will be able to select all seats, including extra-legroom seats, at booking for free.

Credit card program updates

The airline also said to expect forthcoming updates to its cobranded credit card program , "including how assigned seating will make being a cc member with WN even more valuable," Green told investors Thurday.

Those details are expected in early 2025.

Current credit card perks, terms and policies will remain in place in the meantime, the company said.

Related: Earn up to 85,000 points with these Southwest welcome offers: Should you apply now?

Bags will still fly free

Last week, Southwest assured TPG that no changes to its lenient policy on baggage were on the horizon and reiterated that stance Thursday.

Unlike U.S. competitors that charge for checked bags, Southwest offers all passengers two free checked bags. The airline also does not charge for a full-size carry-on bag.

Southwest executives acknowledged Thursday that they studied, in great depth, the possibility of adding some sort of paid baggage model — be it one free checked bag instead of two, or some sort of basic economy-esque model that excluded free bags in exchange for a lower price point.

Ultimately, though, leaders concluded any such move would drive customers away.

"Based on Southwest's research, the company believes that any change in the current policy ... would drive down demand and far outweigh any revenue gains," Southwest said Thursday.

Bottom line

Perhaps the biggest changes in Southwest Airlines' history are coming to the carrier over the next couple of years.

The airline will start selling assigned seats in late 2025 for flights departing during the first half of 2026. As part of the changes, the carrier will also roll out its first-ever extra legroom seats, featuring rows with three to five inches more space than standard seats.

As part of these changes, the carrier is pursuing partnerships with international carriers, beginning with Icelandair. And once Southwest fully rolls out its assigned seating model, the carrier expects customers will be able to use Rapid Rewards points to book overseas partner flights.

Altogether, Southwest executives hope these moves boost revenue, entice more passengers to fly with the carrier, and to focus their attention on its Rapid Rewards loyalty program and cobranded credit card portfolio.

Related reading:

• How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
• Southwest makes it easier to change your Companion Pass online