How many points do I need for the Companion Pass?

135,000 qualifying points earned within a single calendar year, or 100 qualifying one-way flights in that same window, whichever comes first. Qualifying points come from flying, from Southwest's shopping and dining partners, and from card sign-up bonuses on Southwest-branded cards.

Does the pass cover the companion's taxes and fees too?

No, the seat itself is free but the designated companion still pays government-imposed taxes and fees on each flight, typically a small amount compared to the fare itself.

Do I need a Southwest credit card to earn it?

No, but it's the fastest path for most people, since a card sign-up bonus can cover a large share of the 135,000-point threshold in one shot. It's entirely possible to earn it through flying and the passive layers alone if you fly Southwest often enough, just slower.

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The Southwest Companion Pass, Explained Honestly

Q: Can I change who my companion is?

Yes, the designated companion can be changed a limited number of times per calendar year through the account, so it doesn't have to be the same person for every trip.

By Mike · Published September 10, 2026 · 8 min read

The Companion Pass gets called the single best benefit in American loyalty programs, and for the right traveler that's not hype. It's also chased by a lot of people it doesn't make sense for. Here's what it actually does, what it costs to earn, and an honest read on who should bother.

What the pass actually does

Once earned, a designated companion flies free, taxes and fees only, on every flight you book on Southwest for the remainder of the calendar year you earned it, plus the entire following year. Book a flight for yourself, add your companion, pay for one ticket. It applies to award bookings too, so it stacks with points redemptions rather than replacing them.

The two ways to earn it

135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, or 100 qualifying one-way flights in that same window, whichever happens first. Qualifying points come from flying Southwest, from its shopping and dining partners (the same category covered generally on our earning without cards guide), and from sign-up bonuses on Southwest's own co-branded cards. Most people who earn it get there through a card bonus plus a normal year of flying, not flying alone.

On the card question: we don't recommend specific cards here, consistent with how we cover every other program on this site. What's worth knowing factually is that a card sign-up bonus is how most Companion Pass earners cover the bulk of the threshold in one move, since flying alone to 135,000 points takes a genuinely high number of trips for most travelers.

The timing move that matters most

Because the pass runs through the end of the following calendar year, the highest-value time to earn it is January, not December. Hit the threshold in January and the pass covers essentially two full years of travel. Hit it in November and it effectively covers about 14 months. Same effort, very different payoff, purely based on when in the year you cross the line.

Is it worth chasing?

If Southwest is already a realistic option for where you fly and you or your household travels together more than a couple of times a year, yes, clearly. Two Companion Pass trips a year already beats the effort of earning it for most families. If Southwest doesn't serve your usual routes, or you mostly travel alone, this is the same trap our hotel programs guide flags for elite status generally: an impressive-sounding perk that costs more in redirected spending and effort than it returns for your actual travel pattern.

Building toward it with points you already earn

See the flexible-currency transfer partners and the passive earning layers that can contribute.

See transfer partners →

FAQ

How many points do I need? 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, or 100 qualifying one-way flights, whichever comes first. Qualifying points come from flying, Southwest's shopping and dining partners, and card sign-up bonuses. Does the pass cover the companion's taxes and fees? No, the seat is free but taxes and fees are still paid by the companion, typically a small amount versus the fare. Can I change who my companion is? Yes, a limited number of times per calendar year through the account. Do I need a Southwest card to earn it? No, but it's the fastest path for most people since a sign-up bonus covers a large share of the threshold at once. It's possible through flying and the passive layers alone, just slower.