How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- Courtney Hansen
- Jul 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
A Game-Changing Travel Hack for Sports Families: Save Big with the Southwest Companion Pass
Imagine flying your athlete (or a second parent) to every tournament, meet, or competition—for free—for up to two years. That’s what the Southwest Companion Pass can do. It’s one of the most valuable travel hacks for families involved in sports.
What Is the Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to bring one person with you on every Southwest flight for free. You only pay taxes and fees, which are usually around $5.60 each way. This pass works on both paid and points flights. Plus, there’s no limit to how often you can use it.
If you earn the pass early in the year, you keep it for the rest of that year and all of the next. That means nearly two full seasons of free travel for your companion.
How to Earn It
To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.
The Fast Track: Open Two Southwest Credit Cards
The quickest way to earn these points is to open two Southwest credit cards and take advantage of their welcome bonuses.
Step 1: Open a Southwest Personal Credit Card
Choose from the following options:
Rapid Rewards® Plus
Rapid Rewards® Premier
Rapid Rewards® Priority
These cards often offer 50,000–100,000 points after you meet a spending minimum, usually around $3,000 in 3 months.
Step 2: Open a Southwest Business Credit Card
Select from these options:
Rapid Rewards® Premier Business
Rapid Rewards® Performance Business
Business card bonuses typically range from 60,000–80,000 points.
You can qualify for a business card even if you have a side hustle—like reselling, photography, coaching, or running an Etsy shop.
Example of Earning Points
Personal card bonus: 75,000 points
Business card bonus: 60,000 points
Total: 135,000 points = Companion Pass earned
Additionally, you keep all those points to book free flights.
Best Time to Do This
Apply and earn the bonuses early in the year (January–March) to ensure your pass is valid for nearly two full years.
For instance, if you earn it in March 2025, it will be valid through December 2026.
Why This Works for Sports Families
The Companion Pass is a game changer for sports families. Here’s how it helps:
Fly your athlete for free to every competition.
Use points for your own flights as well.
Bring a second parent or sibling without doubling costs.
Save anywhere from $500 to $2,000+ per year, depending on how often you fly.
Quick Tips for Success
To maximize your benefits, consider these tips:
Use your cards for regular expenses like sports fees, gear, travel, and groceries.
Avoid booking flights until your Companion Pass is active.
You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Additional Benefits of the Companion Pass
Flexibility in Travel
Having a Companion Pass means you can travel with your family without worrying about the cost. This flexibility allows you to attend more events and support your athlete.
Budget-Friendly Travel
The savings from the Companion Pass can significantly reduce your travel budget. Instead of spending hundreds on flights, you can allocate those funds to other important expenses, such as lodging or meals.
Stress-Free Planning
With the Companion Pass, you can plan your travel around your athlete's schedule. This means less stress and more time to focus on what really matters—supporting your child in their sporting endeavors.
Final Thoughts
If you're a parent regularly traveling for sports, the Southwest Companion Pass can help you travel for nearly free—without sacrificing the experience. This is how many families save thousands while still showing up for their athlete!
For more information on how to get started, check out the Current Southwest Card Offers.
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