If you are flying Southwest over the next 10 weeks, you are in luck. Southwest just released a promotion where you can opt-in to earning one of three different offers – with one of them being the opportunity to earn 10,000 qualifying points towards the amazing Southwest Companion Pass.
With this promotion, all flights booked and flown between May 24 and July 31, 2021 can earn you one of the three offers:
- 3X Rapid Rewards bonus points
-
10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points
- 10,000 tier qualifying points
If you select the bonus rapid reward point option, you’ll earn the 3x points on all flights taken during the promotional time period, but if you select either the bonus companion pass or tier qualifying point option, you’ll only earn the bonus one time.
Unfortunately though, only bookings made after you register for this promotion will qualify. That means previously made reservations will not count unless you fully cancel and rebook under a new reservation number. If your flight has not gone up in price, then you might as well register, then cancel and rebook — especially since Southwest doesn’t charge and fees to cancel your flight.
Related: Easiest way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass with credit cards
Check to see if you are eligible for this offer
Many Southwest promotions are targeted, so you’ll want to check your Southwest account to see if you are in fact eligible. To do this, sign into your Southwest account and go to the promotions section within “My Account”.
Hopefully, you’ll see an offer that says “You’ve got three special offers to choose from to make your next trip even more rewarding.” If so, click on the Learn More link.
To receive the bonus, you’ll need to register for the promotion prior to making any reservations, but once you select your desired bonus, your decision is final. No changing which promotion you are registered for, so make sure to select carefully.
Earning the Southwest Companion Pass
My absolute favorite perk in the entire travel industry is the Southwest Companion Pass. I’ve been a pass holder for 13 years and it has allowed a friend or family member to fly with me for almost free (plus taxes) a number of times throughout this year. You are able to use the pass an unlimited number of times and best of all, you can even use points for your reservation and still use the pass for your companion.
Typically, to earn the pass, you must earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. However, in 2021, Southwest has credited members who had an account open by Dec. 31, 2020 with 25,000 points. This means you only have to earn 100,000 qualifying points this year due to the generous boost.
Related: Southwest is making it easier to earn the Southwest Companion Pass for 2021 and 2022
And if you select the 10,000 companion pass qualifying points promotion, that’ll bring the amount required in 2021 to just 90,000 points — assuming you are flying within the next 10 weeks.
Best of all, bonus points earned from Southwest welcome bonus offers also count as tier-qualifying points, so that can put you even closer to earning the pass. Stack that with the bonus earned from the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and you’ll be incredibly close to earning the points needed for the Companion Pass.
Related: Bonus points and very close to earning the Southwest Companion Pass
Currently, the Southwest personal credit card offers are quite low, so I wouldn’t recommend applying for those particular cards right now. Instead, wait for an increased welcome offer bonus.
Overall
This is a great offer for those looking to fly in the near future. Or, if you can find a cheap flight, this might be the perfect time for a mileage run — flying to earn the points, miles and benefits that you’ll receive with the particular flight.
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Targeted it seems.