How long does companion pass last Southwest?

Once you earn it and pick your Companion, you can begin enjoying the benefits immediately after designating a Companion. 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.



The Southwest Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualify, plus the entire following calendar year. This means the duration depends heavily on your timing. If you earn the pass early in the year, such as January or February 2026, you could enjoy its benefits for nearly two full years (through December 31, 2027). To qualify in 2026, you must either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a single year. Because the pass essentially offers a "buy one, get one free" deal on every flight you take—including those booked with points—it is widely considered the most valuable perk in domestic aviation. You are allowed to change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year, allowing for flexibility in who travels with you.

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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This pass grants you the privilege of bringing a companion along for free (excluding applicable taxes and fees) on an unlimited number of Southwest Airlines flights throughout the pass. For frequent Southwest flyers, this benefit alone can easily amount to thousands of dollars saved annually.

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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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Southwest will let pass holders change their companion up to three times per calendar year. There's no limit on how many times or on which routes a Companion Pass can be used. Even better, there are no blackout dates or seat restrictions for using the Companion Pass.

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One major reason consumers love this pass is because you can use it an unlimited number of times during the year you earn it, plus the entire following year. With that in mind, Southwest Companion Pass rules don't set any limits on how much value you can get in return.

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

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Yes! According to Southwest's rules and regulations, this does apply to a Companion, who is flying with you on your Southwest Companion Pass, except if the Companion Pass holder: Purchased a Business Select® fare. Purchased Upgraded Boarding.

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Once ticketed, travel can be completed after the expiration date — within 12 months of the date of issue. You can view your companion fare code's expiration date by logging into your Account profile and viewing the Discount and companion fare codes section.

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You must redeem your companion certificate by its expiration date, usually 12 months after issue, but your travel can take place up to 12 months from your booking date. The Mileage Plan member who owns the companion fare code must either be one of the travelers or the purchaser of the reservation.

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40,000 Southwest points are worth around $532 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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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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Just head over to Southwest's website and log in to your Southwest Airlines account. Navigate to the “My Account” button at the top right. Once to the page, scroll to the area labeled “My Rapid Rewards,” and your Companion Pass progress will be listed right there — along with a few other pieces of information.

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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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You must book your flight prior to booking your designated Companion's flight. After booking your flight, visit the My Trips section of your account. Find your flight in the Upcoming section and click on Add Companion link.

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All of the points you earn, including anniversary points, on a Southwest credit card count toward the Companion Pass.

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