The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most coveted perks in the travel world, often hailed as the "holy grail" for its incredible value. It allows you to choose one person to fly with you for nearly free (just pay taxes and fees) an unlimited number of times whenever you purchase or redeem points for a flight. For an airline that carried more than 140 million customers in 2024, this pass offers a remarkable opportunity to double your travel adventures. This guide cuts through the complexity, providing a clear, step-by-step process for booking flights with your Companion Pass, transforming this powerful benefit from an abstract idea into your next booked vacation.
The Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit from the airline's Rapid Rewards loyalty program. Once earned, it lets you designate one person (your companion) to fly with you on any Southwest flight. You simply book your own flight—using either cash or Rapid Rewards points—and then you can add your companion to the same reservation, paying only the mandatory government taxes and fees.
The value is immense and straightforward: it essentially cuts the cost of your airfare for two people in half. Unlike many one-time use airline companion tickets that come with restrictions, the Southwest Companion Pass is valid for unlimited use during its validity period. There are no blackout dates; if a seat is available for purchase, it's available for your companion. This flexibility makes it a game-changer for couples, families, and friends who travel together frequently.
This guide is designed for anyone who has already earned the Southwest Companion Pass or is close to qualifying. Whether you're a seasoned traveler looking to maximize this perk or a first-time pass holder eager to make your first booking, this article will walk you through the entire process, from pre-booking checks to final confirmation.
Before you start booking, it's essential to understand the key components of your new travel superpower. Knowing the rules and terminology will ensure a smooth and frustration-free experience.
At its heart, the Companion Pass lets your designated companion fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees, which typically start at $5.60 one-way for domestic flights. You pay for your ticket (with cash or points), and your companion’s airfare is covered. This applies to every single flight you take on the airline while the pass is active.
There are two roles to understand:
The validity of your Companion Pass is one of its most valuable features. You receive the pass for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire following calendar year. For example, if you qualify for the pass in February 2025, it will be valid until December 31, 2026. This makes earning the pass early in a calendar year a powerful strategy for maximizing its duration.
To earn the Companion Pass, you must accumulate 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights in a single calendar year. While flying 100 times is a feat for most, earning the points is far more accessible, primarily through Southwest credit cards issued by Chase. Welcome bonuses and everyday spending on these credit cards generate qualifying points. The growing popularity of this method is clear, as Southwest's loyalty revenue and new co-brand credit card acquisitions saw double-digit increases in late 2025, highlighting the program's strong appeal.
A little preparation before you book will make the process seamless. Ensure you have everything in order to avoid any last-minute hurdles.
First, log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com. Your Companion Pass status will be clearly displayed in your "My Account" summary. It will show the pass as active and list its expiration date. If you don't see it, you may not have officially met the qualifications yet.
Before you can book a companion ticket, you must officially designate your companion. This is done within your Rapid Rewards account. If you haven’t done this yet, you'll be prompted to enter their full legal name, date of birth, and contact information. Be precise, as this information must match their government-issued ID.
Have the following information ready:
The process always starts with the Companion Pass holder booking their own flight. The companion is added after the primary reservation is complete.
Head to the Southwest Airlines website or open the mobile app. The first step is to log in to your Rapid Rewards account. This is crucial because it links the booking to your profile and Companion Pass status.
Use the flight search tool on the homepage as you normally would. Enter your desired departure and destination cities, travel dates, and the number of passengers (for now, just search for "1" adult—yourself). Do not include your companion in this initial search.
Southwest will display the available flights and fare options: Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select. The Companion Pass works with all of them. Select the flight and fare that best suits your budget and needs. The core benefit of the pass is that it attaches to any fare type you purchase for yourself.
You have the flexibility to pay for your own ticket with either cash or Rapid Rewards points. The process for adding a companion remains the same regardless of how you pay for your own ticket. If you have a large points balance, using them for your ticket makes the entire trip for two incredibly affordable. Choose your payment method and proceed to checkout.
Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your passenger information and payment details (either credit card info or points deduction). Review all the details carefully before confirming your purchase.
Once your booking is complete, you will receive a confirmation email and be shown a confirmation screen with a six-character alphanumeric confirmation number. This number is the key to adding your companion.
With your own flight secured, it’s time for the easy part: adding your companion.
There are two primary ways to do this. You can find the flight in the "My Trips" section of your logged-in Southwest account. Alternatively, you can use the "Look Up Reservation" feature on the website and enter your confirmation number and full name.
Once you've pulled up your flight details, you will see a prominent link or button that says "Add Companion." This option only appears for active Companion Pass holders on eligible reservations. Click this link to begin the process.
The system will automatically populate your designated companion's information. If they have a Rapid Rewards number, you can add it here so they can earn points on any applicable flight segments (though they won't earn points on the companion ticket itself). Confirm their details are correct.
You'll be taken to a summary screen showing your companion's flight itinerary, which will mirror your own. The airfare cost for the Companion Ticket will be displayed as $0.00, with only the taxes and fees listed as the total amount due.
Enter your credit card information to pay the taxes and fees for the companion ticket. This is the final charge for adding them to your trip. The amount is typically minimal for domestic travel but can be higher for international destinations due to different government taxes.
After payment, you will receive a final confirmation for your companion's booking. It's important to note that your companion will have their own separate confirmation number. Both you and your companion are now fully booked for the flight. You can manage both reservations from your Southwest account.
The Southwest Companion Pass is an unparalleled tool for travelers looking to maximize their adventures and minimize costs. By understanding the core benefits and following this straightforward booking process, you can confidently turn this valuable perk into countless shared experiences. The key is a simple, two-part process: book your own flight first—with cash or points—and then add your companion to the reservation by paying only the mandatory taxes and fees. With its flexibility and unlimited use, this pass reinforces why Southwest continues to maintain such a high level of customer loyalty, reflected in its strong Net Promoter Score of 48, well above the industry average. Now that you know how to book, your next step is simple: decide where you and your companion want to go next.