What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass lets you designate one person to fly with you for free (paying only taxes, typically $5.60 per one-way flight) on every Southwest flight you book through the end of the calendar year after you earn it.
According to Southwest's Companion Pass terms, to earn the pass you must earn 135,000 qualifying points in one calendar year. Once earned, the pass is valid through December 31 of the following calendar year.
Example: You earn the Companion Pass in February 2026. It's valid through December 31, 2027 — nearly two full years of value.
Value: If you take 10 Southwest flights per year at an average $150 per flight, your companion saves $1,500 per year. Over two years, that's $3,000 in free flights.
How to Earn the Companion Pass
You need 135,000 qualifying points in one calendar year. Qualifying points include:
- Credit card welcome bonuses (Southwest personal and business cards)
- Credit card spending (points earned from purchases)
- Flight revenue (points earned from paid Southwest flights)
- Converted hotel and credit card points transferred to Southwest
Points that do NOT count:
- Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest (these are not "qualifying")
- Points purchased directly from Southwest
- Points gifted or transferred from another member
Fastest Strategy: Two Credit Cards in Early January
The fastest way to earn the Companion Pass is to apply for two Southwest personal credit cards in early January (after Jan 1) and meet the minimum spend requirements by February or March.
Current Southwest cards and bonuses (verified Oct 2026):
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: 50,000 points after $1,000 spend in 3 months ($69 annual fee)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: 60,000 points after $3,000 spend in 3 months ($99 annual fee)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: 65,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months ($149 annual fee, includes $75 annual travel credit)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business: 80,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months ($199 annual fee, business card)
Example strategy: Apply for Southwest Plus (50,000 points) and Southwest Premier (60,000 points) on the same day in early January 2027. Meet both minimum spends by March. You'll have 110,000 qualifying points. Earn the remaining 25,000 points through:
- Credit card spending (2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases, 1 point per $1 on everything else)
- One or two paid Southwest flights
- Shopping portal bonuses or dining program points
You'll earn the Companion Pass by April 2027, and it will be valid through December 31, 2028.
Why Apply in Early January?
Timing maximizes validity. If you earn the Companion Pass in January 2027, it's valid through December 31, 2028. If you earn it in December 2027, it's only valid through December 31, 2028 — one year instead of nearly two.
Always apply for Southwest cards in the first week of January to maximize the validity window.
Can You Get Multiple Southwest Cards?
Yes, but with restrictions. Southwest personal cards follow Chase's rules:
- 5/24 rule applies: You must be under 5/24 to get approved for any Chase personal card
- 24-month bonus restriction: Per Southwest card terms, you cannot earn a welcome bonus on a Southwest card if you've received a bonus on the same card in the past 24 months. But you CAN earn bonuses on different Southwest cards. Example: You got the Plus card in 2025. You can get the Premier card in 2027 and earn its bonus.
- One application per 30 days: Chase's 1/30 rule. Apply for one Southwest card, wait 30 days, apply for the second.
However, many people successfully apply for two Southwest personal cards on the same day using the "double dip" strategy (both applications before one appears on your credit report). This is risky if your credit profile is weak, but works if you have 750+ score and low utilization.
What About the Business Card?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card offers 80,000 points after $5,000 spend. Business cards do NOT count toward Chase 5/24 and can be combined with personal cards.
Example Companion Pass strategy with business card:
- Apply for Southwest Performance Business in early January (80,000 points)
- Apply for Southwest Plus personal in early January (50,000 points)
- Meet both minimum spends by March (130,000 qualifying points)
- Earn 5,000 more points through spending or one paid flight
- Companion Pass earned by April, valid through December of following year
For detailed step-by-step strategies, see our full Southwest Companion Pass 2027 guide.
What Is Two-Player Mode?
Two-player mode means coordinating credit card applications with a partner (spouse, significant other, roommate, family member) to maximize household points earning. Each person applies for different cards, and you pool or transfer points when needed.
Benefits of Two-Player Mode
- Double the welcome bonuses: Two people can open 4-8 cards per year instead of 2-4
- Separate 5/24 slots: Each person has their own 5/24 limit, doubling your Chase card opportunities
- Faster Companion Pass earning: Player 1 earns the Southwest Companion Pass, Player 2 flies free. Next year, Player 2 earns it, Player 1 flies free.
- Point pooling: Transfer points between accounts when programs allow (Hyatt, Marriott, Southwest, etc.)
How to Coordinate Applications
Strategy 1: Stagger Chase cards
- Player 1 applies for Chase Sapphire Preferred in January
- Player 2 applies for Chase Sapphire Preferred in April
- Player 1 applies for Chase United card in July
- Player 2 applies for Chase Southwest card in October
Staggering avoids both players hitting 5/24 at the same time and preserves future slots.
Strategy 2: Divide ecosystems
- Player 1 focuses on Chase cards (Sapphire, United, Hyatt)
- Player 2 focuses on Amex cards (Platinum, Gold, Delta)
This maximizes bonuses across different issuer ecosystems. Transfer points between programs when possible (e.g., both can transfer to Hyatt from their respective flexible points).
Strategy 3: Alternate Companion Pass years
- 2027: Player 1 earns Southwest Companion Pass, Player 2 flies free
- 2028: Player 2 earns Southwest Companion Pass, Player 1 flies free
This gives your household the Companion Pass every year, alternating who earns it.
Can You Transfer Points Between Partners?
It depends on the program:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Can transfer between accounts if both people have Sapphire or Ink cards. Set up household points pooling in the Chase app.
- Amex Membership Rewards: Cannot transfer directly, but both can transfer to the same airline/hotel partner and pool there
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: Can transfer points between accounts for free as of Oct 15, 2026 per Southwest's updated policy
- Hyatt: Can transfer points between accounts for free. Up to 500,000 points per year per account.
- Marriott: Can transfer up to 100,000 points per year to another member for free
- United: Cannot transfer miles between members
Check each program's transfer policy before assuming you can pool points.
Do Both Players Need Good Credit?
Yes. Each person applies using their own credit profile. If one partner has excellent credit (750+) and the other has fair credit (650-699), the partner with excellent credit should prioritize premium cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum) while the partner with fair credit focuses on easier approvals (Chase Freedom, Capital One Quicksilver).
Work on building the weaker credit profile before applying for travel cards. See our credit guide for strategies.
Common Mistakes in Two-Player Mode
- Both players applying for the same card: Wastes opportunities. Apply for different cards to maximize total bonuses.
- Not tracking who's under 5/24: Keep a shared spreadsheet tracking each person's 5/24 status and card application history
- Applying too fast: Two-player mode doubles your capacity, but still respect velocity limits (3-6 months between applications per person)
- Assuming all points can be transferred: Some programs don't allow transfers. Check before planning redemptions.
Is Two-Player Mode Worth It?
Yes, if both partners are on board and have good credit. Two-player mode can generate 300,000-500,000+ points per year across both players — enough for multiple international business class flights or 20+ hotel nights per year.
But it requires coordination, trust, and shared financial management. Don't push a reluctant partner into opening cards they don't want.
Next Steps
Now you understand the Southwest Companion Pass and two-player strategies. The next lesson explains how transferable points work and which transfer partners are best for your redemptions.