Southwest Airways not too long ago introduced it would end its bags-fly-free policy, ditch its Wanna Get Away fare and make several other customer-unfriendly changes. However, at the very least to this point, probably the most advantageous choices within the journey trade — the Southwest Companion Move — stays intact.
This precious profit enables you to convey a companion alongside without cost (excluding relevant taxes and charges) on limitless Southwest Airlines flights till the cross expires. For frequent Southwest flyers, this profit alone can simply quantity to 1000’s of {dollars} saved yearly. So, here is what it is best to learn about incomes and utilizing the Southwest Companion Move.
Learn how to earn the Southwest Companion Move
To earn a Southwest Companion Pass legitimate via the top of the subsequent calendar 12 months, you need to accrue 135,000 qualifying factors or full 100 qualifying flights inside a calendar 12 months.
You possibly can earn qualifying factors via numerous means, together with flying with Southwest and fascinating with its companions. The latter consists of making purchases through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, finishing lodge stays and automotive leases with companions, and utilizing a Southwest bank card for purchases.
Cobranded Southwest bank cards are sometimes the best approach to earn the Companion Move since you will earn qualifying factors on purchases, and the welcome bonus factors are qualifying. Moreover, vacationers with a cobranded Southwest bank card get 10,000 qualifying factors every calendar 12 months, successfully lowering the Companion Move requirement to 125,000 qualifying factors yearly.
Talking of welcome bonuses on Southwest bank cards, here is a have a look at a few of the present provides:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn a Companion Move via Feb. 28, 2026, plus 30,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening (this provide ends March 31).
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn a Companion Move via Feb. 28, 2026, plus 30,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening (this provide ends March 31).
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 factors after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 factors after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The 2 shopper Southwest playing cards provide a Companion Move legitimate via Feb. 28, 2026, as a part of their welcome provide. Nevertheless, the bonus factors from every provide might aid you earn a Companion Move legitimate via the top of 2026.
Lastly, it is also price noting that Southwest sometimes provides promotions for limited-time Companion Passes. For instance, for a short while in February, Southwest let vacationers earn a two-month Companion Move for later this 12 months after only one spherical journey or two one-way flights.
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Learn how to use the Southwest Companion Move
As soon as you have earned a Companion Move, Southwest makes it extremely straightforward to make use of.
Arrange your Companion Move
After you earn the Companion Move, Southwest will ship you a congratulatory e mail inside a number of days. Log in to your Southwest Fast Rewards account to trace your progress towards incomes the Companion Move.
Upon receiving the e-mail, click on the hyperlink to arrange your preliminary companion selection. The method is fast, however you will want to supply details about your companion, together with their authorized title (matching their ID) and start date.
If you wish to hold the identical companion all through your Companion Move, you will solely must set it up as soon as. Nevertheless, keep in mind you may change your companion as much as 3 times every calendar 12 months.
Associated: 2 for 1: How airline companion tickets can save you serious money on your next trip
Guide your flight
Earlier than utilizing your Companion Move, you need to ebook your personal Southwest flight. And should you’re touring with somebody who is not your designated companion, ebook their flight, too. For instance, suppose you’re a household of 4 with one grownup holding the Companion Move and the opposite grownup being the companion. In that case, it is best to initially ebook tickets for the Companion Move holder and the 2 youngsters.
You possibly can pay in your flights with money or redeem Southwest points when utilizing a Companion Move. Nevertheless, if you are going to buy the tickets with money, keep in mind to incorporate every traveler’s Fast Rewards quantity when reserving to allow them to earn Southwest points on their flights.
Associated: Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
Add your companion to your reservation
After you have booked your flight, you may add your companion to your reservation. Doing so instantly after reserving your flight is one of the best ways to make sure you add your companion earlier than the flight sells out.
Nevertheless, you may’t change a flight with a companion hooked up. And you may usually save critical factors or money by sometimes checking whether or not you may rebook at a lower rate. As such, TPG lead author Katie Genter suggests organising a Y9 alert in ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s father or mother firm, Crimson Ventures) so you will get an e mail when solely 9 seats stay in your flight. Then, as soon as your flight is lower than two weeks out — the purpose at which Southwest flights often grow to be costlier — or if you get the Y9 alert e mail, add your companion.
So as to add your companion to a flight, log in to your Southwest account and discover the flight in your upcoming journeys. If you have not added your companion but, it is best to see an “Add companion” button for the flight.
Click on the button and double-check the prefilled info. Proceed via the method till you attain the purpose the place you will must pay the taxes and charges in your companion’s flight. Pay the taxes and charges, and your companion will probably be confirmed on the flight. Your companion will get a distinct affirmation quantity than you, although.
Associated: ‘The Day Southwest Died’: Reactions pour in about the carrier’s big changes
Backside line
The Companion Move would possibly present vital worth should you continuously fly Southwest with a favourite companion. Likewise, should you would fly Southwest continuously with one other traveler should you might accomplish that for about half the price, the Companion Move is price contemplating.
Southwest bank cards can put incomes the Companion Move inside attain even should you do not meet the usual necessities via flights. Better of all, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card have welcome provides via March 31 for a Companion Move legitimate via Feb. 28, 2026, plus 30,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.