{"id":11053,"date":"2025-01-17T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T12:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=11053"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:08:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:08:06","slug":"southwest-companion-pass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-companion-pass\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Select Your Companion and Use Your New Southwest Companion Pass"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve done your research, you\u2019ve met the qualification requirements, and now it\u2019s finally here: Your Southwest Companion Pass. That little metaphorical golden ticket that opens up a whole new world of cheap travel options is now yours. Now your job switches from <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/how-to-earn-southwest-companion-pass\/\" rel=\"noopener\">earning the Southwest Companion Pass<\/a> to maximizing it.<\/p>\n<p>Here's how to select your companion and use the Southwest Companion Pass.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#A_Quick_Refresher_on_the_One_Perk_To_Rule_Them_All\">A Quick Refresher on the One Perk To Rule Them All<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Earning_the_Southwest_Companion_Pass\">Earning the Southwest Companion Pass<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_To_Check_Your_Companion_Pass_Progress\">How To Check Your Companion Pass Progress<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_To_Select_Your_Initial_Southwest_Companion\">How To Select Your Initial Southwest Companion<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_To_Book_Southwest_Companion_Flights\">How To Book Southwest Companion Flights<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Who_Can_You_Choose_as_Your_Southwest_Companion\">Who Can You Choose as Your Southwest Companion?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#When_Does_the_Southwest_Companion_Pass_Expire\">When Does the Southwest Companion Pass Expire?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"A_Quick_Refresher_on_the_One_Perk_To_Rule_Them_All\">A Quick Refresher on the One Perk To Rule Them All<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is one of the most popular perks in the points and miles world, and for good reason. Holders of the Companion Pass can fly with a friend or family member &#8212; or even an enemy, really, whoever they'd like &#8212; for just the cost of taxes and fees. And it works for both revenue flights and award redemptions.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest flies all over the United States (including Hawaii) and even serves a few international destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, and more. So you can see why the Southwest Companion Pass can be so valuable.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_241484\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/374\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-241484 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Southwest-route-map-via-FlightConnections-January-2026-750x374.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of Southwest's current route map via FlightConnections\" width=\"750\" height=\"374\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Southwest-route-map-via-FlightConnections-January-2026-750x374.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Southwest-route-map-via-FlightConnections-January-2026-900x448.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Southwest-route-map-via-FlightConnections-January-2026-768x383.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Southwest-route-map-via-FlightConnections-January-2026.png 1387w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Screenshot of FlightConnections<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h3><span id=\"Earning_the_Southwest_Companion_Pass\">Earning the Southwest Companion Pass<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To <a href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/how-to-earn-southwest-companion-pass\/\">earn the Southwest Companion Pass<\/a>, Rapid Rewards members need to earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights per calendar year. Ways to earn the 135,000 qualifying points needed include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Spending on a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-credit-card\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest credit card<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Flying on Southwest<\/li>\n<li>Hotel stays booked through partners<\/li>\n<li>Car rentals booked through partners<\/li>\n<li>Rapid Rewards Shopping<\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/shopping\/dining-rewards-programs\/#Southwest_Airlines\" rel=\"noopener\">Rapid Rewards Dining<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Southwest credit card referral bonuses<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>You may also be able to shortcut earning the Companion Pass entirely. Southwest periodically offers an unlimited Southwest Companion Pass as part of a credit card sign-up bonus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/increased-southwest-card-offers\/\">Current Offers for the Chase Southwest Credit Cards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"compare-cards-wrap compare-count-cards-3 compare-p-chase\"><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/93\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPlusCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Plus Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Plus Credit Card' data-ccid=\"520080\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/SouthwestRapidRewardsPlusCreditCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$99<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"520080\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005150&type=3&u1=77d03e576bed87ff332cab1c5c2f024c&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent on Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year<\/li>\r\n<li>1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/93\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPriorityCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Priority Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Priority Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae Priority Credit Card' data-ccid=\"4048122\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/SouthwestAirlinesRapidRewardsPriorityCreditCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$229<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"4048122\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005153&type=3&u1=096870a2e8c03da6fcc4fbbe62608d29&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>4X points per $1 spent on all Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants<\/li>\r\n<li>1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/93\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CardArt-SouthwestRapidRewardsPerformanceBusinessCreditCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Southwest\u00ae Rapid Rewards\u00ae Performance Business Credit Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Rapid Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Performance Business Credit Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Southwest\u00ae Rapid Rewards\u00ae Performance Business Credit Card' data-ccid=\"4048165\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/ChaseSouthwestPerformanceBusinessCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$299<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"4048165\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1753725.10005149&type=3&u1=87bbfa9c8b2ef88db11cc38ed5539d54&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>4X points per $1 spent on Southwest<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel<\/li>\r\n<li>2X points per $1 spent on rideshare<\/li>\r\n<li>1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"How_To_Check_Your_Companion_Pass_Progress\">How To Check Your Companion Pass Progress<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So, how do you know when you actually have the pass? Fortunately, Southwest makes it incredibly easy to find out. Whether you've earned the Companion Pass through a sign-up bonus offer or by earning points by flying Southwest, the process to check is the same.<\/p>\n<p>Just head over to Southwest's website and log in to your Southwest Airlines account. Navigate to the &#8220;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southwest.com\/loyalty\/myaccount\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\">My Account<\/a>&#8221; button at the top right. Once on the page, scroll to the area labeled &#8220;My Rapid Rewards,&#8221; and your Companion Pass progress will be listed right there &#8212; along with a few other pieces of information.<\/p>\n<p><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/580\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-152788 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-Companion-Pass-earning-status-in-Rapid-Rewards-account-300x232.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of Southwest Companion Pass earning progress in Rapid Rewards account\" width=\"750\" height=\"580\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-Companion-Pass-earning-status-in-Rapid-Rewards-account-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-Companion-Pass-earning-status-in-Rapid-Rewards-account-1024x792.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-Companion-Pass-earning-status-in-Rapid-Rewards-account-768x594.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-Companion-Pass-earning-status-in-Rapid-Rewards-account.png 1277w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_To_Select_Your_Initial_Southwest_Companion\">How To Select Your Initial Southwest Companion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once you have earned your Southwest Companion Pass, you can either call in to set up your initial Companion or watch out for an email from Southwest. This email will redirect you to the correct place and allow you to set up your Companion.<\/p>\n<p><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/461\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-98253 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-Email-300x184.jpg\" alt=\"Southwest email to select your initial Southwest Companion Pass companion.\" width=\"750\" height=\"461\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-Email-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-Email-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-Email-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-Email-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-Email-2048x1259.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you deleted the email, no worries; you can still select your initial Companion Pass companion on the Southwest website. Make sure you have their information on hand. Southwest will require you to have your companion's:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Full name as it appears on their ID<\/li>\n<li>Birthdate<\/li>\n<li>Gender<\/li>\n<li>Street address<\/li>\n<li>Email address<\/li>\n<li>Phone number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_98245\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/600\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-98245 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-CP3-300x240.png\" alt=\"Information needed to select your initial Southwest Companion Pass companion.\" width=\"750\" height=\"600\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-CP3-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-CP3-1024x819.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-CP3-768x614.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-CP3-325x260.png 325w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SW-CP3.png 1179w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Information needed to select your initial Southwest Companion Pass companion.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"How_To_Book_Southwest_Companion_Flights\">How To Book Southwest Companion Flights<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before you can book a free Companion Pass flight, you must first purchase your ticket. Head to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southwest.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Southwest Airlines website<\/a> and log into your account. Navigate to the flight search engine and enter your desired flight info &#8212; departure and arrival, dates, etc.<\/p>\n<p>No need to select two passengers at this point. Even if you plan to add your companion to this flight, you'll only need to select one passenger. But this is also a good time to check the search results for seat availability.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest doesn't have any blackout dates for companions, but Southwest must still have a seat available. So, if a flight literally only has one seat left for sale, you will not be able to book your companion on it.<\/p>\n<p>Continue with the search, select the flights you would like, and finish your booking. Once your flight is officially booked, visit the &#8220;My Trips&#8221; tab and navigate to the &#8220;Upcoming&#8221; section where your flight is listed.<\/p>\n<p><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/575\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-152789 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-My-Trips-with-option-to-add-a-companion-highlighted-300x230.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of Southwest My Trips page with the option to add a companion highlighted\" width=\"750\" height=\"575\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-My-Trips-with-option-to-add-a-companion-highlighted-300x230.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-My-Trips-with-option-to-add-a-companion-highlighted-1024x785.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-My-Trips-with-option-to-add-a-companion-highlighted-768x589.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-My-Trips-with-option-to-add-a-companion-highlighted.png 1287w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Select the &#8220;Add Companion&#8221; link. Make sure the info is correct for your Companion, and once you confirm everything is as it should be, hit &#8220;Purchase.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/435\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-152791 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-add-a-companion-to-a-flight-300x174.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of adding a Southwest Companion booking online\" width=\"750\" height=\"435\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-add-a-companion-to-a-flight-300x174.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-add-a-companion-to-a-flight-1024x593.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-add-a-companion-to-a-flight-768x445.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Southwest-add-a-companion-to-a-flight.png 1296w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Who_Can_You_Choose_as_Your_Southwest_Companion\">Who Can You Choose as Your Southwest Companion?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A Companion Pass holder is eligible to fly with one Companion for only the cost of taxes and fees. And that typically consists of just $5.60. So, think of the Southwest Companion Pass as a true two-for-one.<\/p>\n<p>You can officially change your Southwest Companion three times per calendar year &#8212; in addition to your initial Southwest Companion Pass companion. So, you can technically select four different companions per calendar year. Before you commit to adding your companion, it's a great idea to have somewhat of a strategy in play. That way, you don't end up being stuck with a companion you do not plan on flying with often for whatever reason.<\/p>\n<p>If you need to change your Southwest Companion Pass companion, you must call 1-800-435-9792. Southwest states that you will need to allow up to 21 business days to process and mail a replacement card, but normally it doesn't take that long. The change usually takes place almost instantly in your Rapid Rewards account.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"When_Does_the_Southwest_Companion_Pass_Expire\">When Does the Southwest Companion Pass Expire?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A Companion Pass is good &#8220;&#8230;for the entire calendar year immediately following the year in which you qualified.&#8221; If you <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/how-to-earn-southwest-companion-pass\/\" rel=\"noopener\">earn a Southwest Companion Pass<\/a> on January 16, 2026, you will have it for the rest of 2026 and all of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>As your Companion Pass gets near its expiration, you'll need to book and take your Southwest flights by December 31 of whichever year it expires. Flights scheduled to leave after this date will not qualify for the free flight any longer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/guide-to-companion-fares-companion-passes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Ultimate Guide to Companion Fares, Companion Passes & Companion Tickets<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Southwest Companion Pass can\u00a0offer amazing value. If you can earn one and it fits your travel goals, do it.<\/p>\n<p>For one, Southwest's award program and redemptions are so easy to understand. It doesn't involve spending days digging around <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/travel\/expertflyer\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ExpertFlyer<\/a> and calling centers in Australia in the middle of the night to try and grab a flight on an airline that may or may not actually have real availability. And Southwest's customer-friendly policies are hard to beat.<\/p>\n<p><em>Do you plan to earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 2026?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you earned a Southwest Companion Pass in 2026? Or are you on track to do so? If so, this post is your go-to resource for how to use this awesome benefit once you&#8217;ve earned it. Learn how to select or change your designated companion and how to add them to any trip for as little as $5.60 in taxes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":58692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"default","_google_business_share_type":"default","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12068],"tags":[12757],"coauthors":[36400],"class_list":["post-11053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-award-programs","tag-southwest-rapid-rewards"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<title>How 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