In 2026, the cost to get a Southwest Companion Pass through spending depends on how you earn your points. To qualify, you must earn 135,000 qualifying points in a single calendar year. If you earn these points purely through "1 point per $1" spending on a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, you would need to spend $135,000. However, most savvy travelers reach the goal for much less by utilizing "Welcome Offers" on Southwest credit cards, which often provide 50,000 to 80,000 points after spending just $3,000 to $5,000 in the first few months. Additionally, cardholders receive a "boost" of 10,000 points every year just for having the card, reducing the requirement to 125,000 points. You can also earn points faster by spending at Southwest partners: for example, you earn 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest flights and 2 points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores. If you use these "multiplier" categories, the actual spend required to earn the "holy grail of travel perks" can be as low as $20,000 to $40,000 over the course of the year.