If you keep up with this blog, you already know that I am obsessed with the Southwest Companion Pass – I am going on 7 or 8 consecutive years having the pass! Ultimately, it allows you to have a companion fly with you for FREE and UNLIMITED number of times during the life of the pass. Once you earn the pass, it is available for the remaining calendar year plus the entire following calendar year. In my opinion, it is the best way to currently fly for free in the travel world!
Well… It looks as though Southwest has been targeted some folks and giving them an opportunity to earn the pass by just flying 5 roundtrips (or 10 one-way’s)! Typically, it requires you to fly 100 times (one-way’s) or earn 110,000 qualifying points! So only needing to fly 5 roundtrips is huge! From the reports I’ve read, flights must be to/from either Denver or California. If you have a different offer, please let me know! Unfortunately, I was not targeted, although I am already half way to earning the pass for next year, so no big deal.
This offer is for flights between July 7 and October 31, 2016 and if you meet the requirements, you’ll earn the pass through December 31, 2017! To check to see if you’ve been targeted, sign into your Southwest account and go to the promotions page. If you have been targeted, it might be worthwhile to do some cheap mileage runs!
Southwest Companion Pass FAQs
Flying limitations: With the companion pass there are no black out dates or seat restrictions – if there is a seat available for purchase, it is available for your companion. The companion pass can even be used if points were redeemed for a free flight. This can result in both passengers going FREE (plus the taxes/passenger)!
Number of times the companion pass can be used: Unlimited! There is no cap on the number of times the pass can be used.
Who can be a companion: Anyone can be your companion – friends, family, a complete stranger. However, the companion pass can only be switched up to three times during the validity of the pass. Since you need to allocate your companion when getting the pass, this allows you 4 people to use the pass (those people can be repeated and put back on as the companion as well but counts as one of your allowed changes). To change your companion pass, call Southwest Customer Service (1-800-IFLYSWA) and they will easily assist you on the spot.
Companion pass expiration: The companion pass is valid the remainder of the year it was earned plus the following calendar year. For example, if you earn the pass January 2016, you will have it for the rest of 2016, plus 2017.
Will you be taking advantage?!
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You can change the companion three times per calendar year unless something has changed since a few months ago. That’s different than three times during the validity of the pass.
@nico – yes correct. I’ll update post to make more Clear.
@Nico – That is exactly correct. Three times PER YEAR.
And on a related note, if I have a companion pass but don’t have any points but my companion does have points, I can fly using their points and they can fly with me using my companion pass. Works out great for someone who might be “points poor but pass rich.”
How does one find out if they are ‘targeted’? Can I call Southwest and ask?
@andrea – sign into your southwest account and click on the promotions tab under your account. It will tell you all promos you are eligiblr for.
So how do you manage to have the Companion Pass year after year? My husband’s Companion Pass ends in December. He got it thru signing up for 2 SW credit cards and then ordering flowers and a few other things. I had assumed that I would sign up for 2 cards at the end of December and reach the necessary other points in January 2017. But, now, with Chase’s restrictions on how many Chase cards can be opened in 2 years, will I be permitted to get 2 SW cards as primary? I was authorized user on his 2 SW credit cards. We each have our own United Explorer Plus Cards, and each of us is an authorized user. Additinally, I have Hyatt and IHG, and he is an authorized user on both. So, is it even worth it for me to try to apply for 2 SW cards?