The Southwest Companion Pass is the single best deal in travel rewards and I will die on this hill. For nearly two years, my wife has flown free on every Southwest flight I take. Not discounted, free. We've saved over $3,200 so far and we're only halfway through our pass. Let me explain how this works because it genuinely changed how my family travels.
What Is the Companion Pass?
Once you earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, Southwest gives you the Companion Pass. This lets you add a designated companion to any Southwest flight you book, for free (just taxes, usually $5.60 per segment). It lasts the rest of that year PLUS the entire following year.
So if you earn it in January 2026, your companion flies free until December 2027. Almost two full years of buy-one-get-one-free flights.
Why It's Perfect for Florida and Texas
Southwest is everywhere in Florida and Texas. They're the largest carrier at MCO, TPA, FLL, DAL, HOU, and AUS. If you live in either state and fly domestically, there's a very good chance Southwest serves your routes. With the Companion Pass, every family trip is essentially half price.
Routes we've used it on this year: - TPA to Denver: $178 x2 = $356... paid $183 (fare + $5.60 taxes for companion) - MCO to Nashville: $124 x2 = $248... paid $130 - FLL to Chicago Midway: $156 x2 = $312... paid $162 - DAL to Las Vegas: $198 x2 = $396... paid $204
How to Earn It Fast
The fastest path: Southwest personal + business credit cards. The current offers:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: 65,000 points after $2,000 spend
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business: 80,000 points after $3,000 spend
That's 145,000 points from signup bonuses alone, more than the 135,000 needed. You can earn the Companion Pass without ever flying, just from credit card welcome offers. Wild.
The Pro Moves
- Earn it in January for maximum duration (rest of year + all of next year)
- Your companion can be changed up to 3 times per year
- Works on points bookings too, book with points, companion still free
- Kids count as companions (we alternate which kid flies free)
The Math on Our Savings
In 7 months with the pass, we've taken 11 flights where the companion flew free. Average fare saved: $290. Total savings: $3,190. Annual fee on both cards combined: $168. Net benefit: over $3,000. Nothing else in travel rewards comes close for families.
One Thing to Watch
The Companion Pass doesn't work on Wanna Get Away fares booked with cash that are then cancelled. Only the original booker gets travel credit. The companion's "ticket" just disappears. So don't book speculative trips for two unless you're committed.
Want to know when Southwest runs fare sales? Sign up for Early Bird Air and we'll alert you to deals from your home airport. Combine those cheap fares with a Companion Pass and you're basically traveling for free. See our pricing page for membership details.