While the 2023 qualification period has long passed, the core requirements remain the same for current 2026 seekers. To earn the pass, you must either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a single calendar year. A supportive peer "short-cut": the most common way people achieve this in 2026 is by opening a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Sign-up bonuses often contribute 60,000 to 85,000 points toward the total, meaning a single card and some strategic spending can get you more than halfway there. Once you hit the 135k threshold, your chosen companion flies with you for "free" (just taxes and fees, usually $5.60 each way) for the remainder of the year you earned it and the entire following calendar year. It is widely considered the most valuable perk in domestic travel, essentially offering a "buy one, get one free" deal on every flight you book.