Southwest Companion Pass PROMO!
Fast track to the industry's most valuable benefit
If you’ve ever wanted to earn a crazy valuable Southwest Companion Pass without jumping through the normal hoops, this is your chance!
Usually once a year around this time, SW runs a promotion where you can earn a Companion Pass as well as 30,000 points as the sign up bonus for any ONE of their personal cards. You must spend $4,000 within 3 months of opening the card. This Companion Pass will last through February 28th, 2026.
Traditionally, you would need to open TWO cards and spend ~$8,000 to earn 135,000 points to qualify. This traditional Companion Pass will last through the year you earn it plus a FULL additional year, so 10+ months longer.
What is a Companion Pass again?
The companion pass allows you to designate a “companion” to fly with you for free (outside of taxes and fees which are $5.60 domestically) whenever you fly! You can change who your “companion” is up to 3 times a year. It is seriously SO GOOD.
Pros & Cons of this Offer
Pros
You don’t have to sign up for a business card to earn this “up to a year” Companion Pass. For those who cannot come up with a way to have a little side hustle (again, even selling on FB qualifies) that would qualify for a business card, this is an awesome option!
Only one annual fee because it only requires one card. All three of their personal cards have this offer so annual fees range from $69-$150/year.
Lower spending requirement-The traditional way would require $7,000-$9,000 of spending between two cards to earn the the sign up bonus and subsequently the pass, but this route only requires $4,000.
Cons
The Companion Pass you earn only lasts one year (valid through Feb 28th, 2026). The “traditional” way of earning the pass can last up to two years depending on when you earn it.
You don’t earn nearly as many Rapid Reward points this way. This promo will earn you 30,000 points as a signup bonus whereas the two card “traditional way” earns you ~135,000 points.
Keep in mind that you can only earn a signup bonus on a SW personal card every 24 months. So if you earn it on this card in April for example, you may have to wait until April of 2026 to earn the traditional pass and you will have missed out on a year of companion pass possibility (and ideally you’d be earning that in January to maximize that two year window). To be clear, this is not the case if the two the business card route to the companion pass. If you have a player two and you aren’t both trying to keep companion passes in perpetuity, this might not be a big deal?
Keep in Mind
24-Month Rule: If you've earned a bonus on any of the personal cards in the last 24 months or currently have a personal card open, you won't be eligible to earn this signup bonus.
5/24 Rule: The 5/24 rule still applies to this offer. If you've opened up 5 or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months, you're also ineligible.
2 Business Card Strategy: You can open both of the business cards to earn the Companion Pass if you're under 5/24. But, if you've earned a bonus on the business card you're applying for in the past 24 months, you won't be eligible to earn the signup bonus.
Where does Southwest Fly?
Southwest flies all over the continental US as well as Hawaii, the Carribean, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize. PLUS, they just signed a partnership with Icelandair, so we hear you you will eventually be able to use SW points to fly to Iceland, and onto Europe… keeping my fingers crossed for this!
Conclusion
So basically, if you have a lot of travel coming up and either 1-you need the pass quickly or 2- you can’t qualify for a business card, this offer is a great option.
For more info on the traditional way to earn the companion pass, feel free to review my old post!
Most folks prefer the SW Priority credit card which has the highest annual fee ($149) because you get the most value. After the $75 annual credit, your annual fee becomes $74. This credit can be used to buy SW gifts cards on their website, taxes and fees or inflight food & bevies. As well, you get 4 upgraded boardings a year and more points every anniversary. There are two other card options as well with lower annual fees.
And as always, if you don’t have a family member, lover, or pal to refer one of these cards to you, I’d be so incredibly appreciative if you used my referral link!
THIS OFFER EXPIRES 3/23/25!
To traveling the world with our families,
Hoov