Southwest's biggest Companion Pass change in years takes effect January 1, 2027. The airline is retiring Companion Pass qualifying points and moving to a single currency—Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs)—while adding a new Platinum tier and a mid-level milestone reward. Here's everything changing.
What's Changing (2026 vs. 2027)
| 2026 (Current) | 2027 (Starting Jan 1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Currency | TQPs + Companion Pass qualifying points (separate) | TQPs only (unified) |
| Status Tiers | A-List, A-List Preferred | Silver, Gold, Platinum (new) |
| Companion Pass Options | 1 option: unlimited at 135k CP pts or 100 flights | 2 options: 3 trips at 95k TQPs or unlimited at 140k TQPs |
| Card Bonuses Count? | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
New Tier Structure (2027)
Silver
(replaces A-List)35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying one-way flights
Benefits: Priority boarding, 25% flight-earning bonus, free same-day standby
Gold
(replaces A-List Preferred)65,000 TQPs or 50 qualifying one-way flights
Benefits: Priority boarding, 50% flight-earning bonus, free same-day confirmed, upgraded boarding
Platinum (NEW)
(premium tier)140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights
Benefits: All Gold benefits + unlimited Companion Pass trips, WiFi access, bonus points
How to Earn Companion Pass in 2027
Option 1: Three Companion Pass Trips (Milestone Reward)
Requirement: 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights
This is a new milestone reward between Gold and Platinum. Each of the three trips allows your designated companion to fly with you on a one-way or round-trip itinerary.
Example: Card spending path
$95,000 in everyday Southwest card purchases = 95,000 TQPs = 3 Companion Pass trips
Option 2: Unlimited Companion Pass (Platinum Status)
Requirement: 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights
Reach Platinum status and your three Companion Pass trips upgrade to unlimited trips for the rest of the qualification year plus the following calendar year.
One-time boost in 2027: Southwest will give cardholders a 10,000 TQP boost once they hit 130,000 TQPs, making it easier to reach Platinum in the first year.
What Earns TQPs (and What Doesn't)
✓ Earns TQPs
- •Southwest credit/debit card purchases: $1 = 1 TQP on all purchases
- •Paid Southwest flights: Base fare + carrier-imposed charges earn TQPs
- •Southwest Vacations: Qualifying Getaways by Southwest or Southwest Groups bookings
✗ Does NOT Earn TQPs
- •Credit card welcome bonuses: Points earned don't count toward TQPs (biggest change)
- •Referral bonuses, anniversary points, partner bonuses: None count toward Companion Pass
- •Award tickets: Flights booked with points don't earn TQPs
The Reality Check: What This Means for Credit Card Users
The old strategy—open two Southwest cards, hit the minimum spend, earn 120,000+ Companion Pass qualifying points from bonuses, get unlimited Companion Pass—is dead.
Starting in 2027, welcome bonuses don't count toward TQPs. You'll earn Rapid Rewards points from the bonus (still redeemable for flights), but not the TQPs needed for Companion Pass.
The Math for Card-Only Companion Pass
- Three Companion Pass trips: $95,000 in card spending
- Unlimited Companion Pass (Platinum): $140,000 in card spending (effectively $130,000 with the 2027 one-time boost)
That's substantially more spending than most households put on cards annually. This change shifts Companion Pass away from casual churners toward frequent Southwest flyers and heavy card spenders.
Current (2026) Companion Pass Holders: What Happens?
If you earned Companion Pass in 2026, you keep it for the full duration of your qualification period. If you qualified in 2026, your Companion Pass is valid through December 31, 2027.
After that, you'll need to re-qualify under the new 2027 rules.
Is It Still Worth Going for Companion Pass?
Yes, if you naturally fly Southwest frequently or spend heavily on your Southwest card. The new mid-level milestone (three trips at 95k TQPs) is more accessible than unlimited, and three Companion Pass trips still have significant value for couples or families.
No, if you were planning to open Southwest cards just for the bonus shortcut. That strategy no longer works. Without welcome bonuses counting toward TQPs, the path to Companion Pass now requires either heavy card spending or frequent paid flying.
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