Do gifted points count towards companion pass Southwest?

Purchased, gifted, transferred, and donated points do not count toward A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass qualification. A valid credit card is required to complete point purchase, gift, and transfer transactions.



No, in 2026, gifted or purchased points do not count toward the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass. To earn the highly coveted Companion Pass, you must earn 135,000 "qualifying points" in a single calendar year. Qualifying points include those earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest, points earned via Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (including the annual anniversary bonus), and points earned from select "Base" partners. Gifted, transferred, or purchased points are specifically excluded because they do not represent "organic" loyalty or spending. This distinction is crucial for travelers attempting to "top off" their account at the end of the year; while those points can be used to book free flights, they will not move the needle on your Companion Pass progress. In 2026, the most efficient way to bridge a small gap is typically through "Rapid Rewards Shopping" or "Rapid Rewards Dining," as the points earned through these portals do count as qualifying points toward the pass.

People Also Ask

  1. The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to fly with a companion for only the cost of taxes and fees.
  2. To earn the Companion Pass, you need to accumulate 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
  3. If you time it right, your companion can fly with you for (nearly) free for almost two years.


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First, you don't have two companion passes so don't think you can book two companions. You have one CP and can have one companion. You cannot earn CP multiple times concurrently. If your son also has a companion pass then he can also designate one companion.

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No, buying Southwest points is not worth it. Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth an average of 1.33 cents each, while buying them costs around 3 cents per point, which means you would not be getting a good deal.

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You'll maintain your Companion Pass for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualified and the entire calendar year immediately following the year you qualified. To continue receiving Companion Pass privileges, you must re-qualify each calendar year.

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The person designated as your companion has to be ticketed and actually travel on the same flights you are on. If you change your flight then your companion's flight has to be changed also. If you cancel your flight, your companion cannot still travel without you. Companion travel does not earn points.

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Re: Has Southwest offered to Extend A Plus or Companion Pass? A-List and Companion Pass has been extended to 1/31/2023. Thank you Southwest!

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While there are numerous benefits to maintaining the Southwest Rapid Reward® credit cards in your wallet, including the ongoing Rapid Rewards points earning on all purchases, bonus points earned on Southwest purchases, yearly bonus points and relatively low annual fees, you will not lose your Companion Pass if you ...

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Employees have free, unlimited travel privileges for themselves and eligible dependents on Southwest Airlines.

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Do the points I earn expire? No, your Rapid Rewards points do not expire. However, if you choose to close your account, the points in your account will be terminated.

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The Companion Pass is valid for travel only when the Companion is accompanied on his/her flight(s) by the Rapid Rewards Member. When you add a companion to a Southwest reservation, your itineraries will be linked.

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1,000 Southwest points are worth around $13.3 when redeemed for airfare. While Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when redeemed for Travel, they're also redeemable for gift cards, hotel stays, merchandise, and more.

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