How amazing would it be to bring your favorite person with you to explore the great cities of the U.S. and beautiful parts of South America and the Caribbean in 2016 and 2017 for FREE? You can make it happen by obtaining the one and only Southwest Companion Pass. You may have heard of this elusive companion pass but immediately move on because you figure you’d never be able to spend or travel enough to get it. We’re happy to share that it’s attainable and will break it down for you on how to easily get your very own Southwest Companion Pass.
Benefits of the Southwest Companion Pass:
You really can’t put a price value on the companion pass. Southwest Airlines sets themselves apart from other airlines with unique perks like this. Let’s discuss the truly amazing benefits of the companion pass.
- Flights are free and unlimited for your companion.
- You can change your companion up to 3 times through the duration of your pass.
- There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions. If a seat is available for sale then it’s available for the companion pass.
- It’s valid for the year earned and the next. We urge to earn your companion pass January 2016 to enjoy until December 31, 2017.
- Regardless on who booked your flight or whether it was paid by points, gift card, voucher, or from using your credit card, you can add your companion pass as long as a seat is available.
- Two bags still fly free.
How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass:
To obtain the companion pass, you will need to earn 110,000 Rapid Rewards points within a calendar year. It seems like a lot but surprisingly easier than you would imagine.
Step 1 (104,000 Points): Sign up for two Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards when they are offering 50,000 sign up bonus points after spending $2,000 within 3 months. Typically the bonus offers are 25,000 points but you will need to wait until the 50,000 bonus points comes around periodically to apply. Each $1 in purchase is worth 1X point. Meet the $2,000 spending requirement on each card early January 2016 and you will have earned a total of 52,000 points on one card or a total of 104,000 points total on both cards. You can apply for both cards this year but be sure to wait until 2016 to satisfy the $2,000 spending requirement in order to make all your points post in 2016 and count towards the companion pass.
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier (review benefits and features)
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Business (review benefits and features)
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus (review benefits and features)
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Business
If you do not have a business, the easiest way to establish yourself as a sole proprietorship business entity is by using your legal name as your business ID and your social security as your tax ID. You can qualify as a business by simply making a sale on eBay or Craigslist, had a garage sale, or even provided babysitting or pet-sitting services. This is completely legal and recognized by the IRS.
Step 2 (6,000 Points): There are various ways to earn the remaining 6,000 points needed for the companion pass. Using your Southwest Rapid Rewards card with our suggestions will allow you to earn up to 2X points and reach the last 6,000 points faster.
- Purchase and fly Southwest Airlines and earn 2X points.
- Shop through Southwest Airlines online shopping portal.
- Transfer hotel points from Marriott or Hyatt as these will give you the best ratio.
- Earn 2X points from Rapid Rewards Dining and Southwest partners in hotels, car rentals, and retail.
- Use your Southwest Rapid Rewards card to make purchases.
Conclusion:
Earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass may surpass any other credit card reward out there. Simply apply for two Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards when 50,000 bonus points is offered after spending $2,000 in three months. Complete the $2,000 spending requirement of both cards early 2016 and you’ve already earned 104,000 points which is the bulk of the 110,000 points needed for the companion pass. Use your cards within Southwest and its partners to swiftly earn the remaining 6,000 points. As soon as you fulfill these simple steps, start making a list of all the places you and your favorite companion want to visit in 2016 and 2017. You earned the one and only Southwest Companion Pass. For many more bonus offers and benefits, review our complete list of Credit Card Promotions.