Southwest is currently offering a free year-long Companion Pass to travelers who open a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase from now until March 13, 2023.
This pass allows travelers to bring one companion along for free on all flights for a year (only paying applicable taxes and fees on the fare, which start at $5.60.)
Normally, in order to earn a Companion Pass, travelers would need to fly 100 flight segments or earn 135,000 Southwest points in a year.
So this current offer makes it easier than ever to snag a Companion Pass for yourself and a significant other, family member, or travel buddy.
Here’s everything you need to know about this current credit card sign-up bonus.
Who Is Eligible For A Free Companion Pass?
Travelers who open a new Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card through Chase are eligible to earn a free year-long Companion Pass.
The sign-up offer is valid through March 13, 2023, and the Companion Pass can be used on all travel through February 28, 2024.
In addition to earning a free Companion Pass, travelers will also get 30,000 bonus Southwest points through this offer.
You must spend $4,000 on qualifying purchases within 3 months to get these sign-up bonuses. While that amount may sound steep, you can hit the minimum spend by putting all groceries, gas, monthly bills, and other expenses on your card.
It’s important to spend responsibly and only use your card for expenses you were already planning and that you know you can pay off. (It’s not worth accumulating credit card debt just to obtain the sign-on bonus for a new credit card!)
Which Cards Are Eligible?
You can snag a free Companion Pass when you sign up for one of three Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards from Chase. The eligible cards are:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Annual fee: $69
- Bonus: Earn 30,000 Southwest points and a Companion Pass after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 3 months
- Other perks: 3,000 Southwest points and 2 EarlyBird check-ins every year you renew
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Annual fee: $99
- Bonus: Earn 30,000 Southwest points and a Companion Pass after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 3 months
- Other perks: 6,000 Southwest points and 2 EarlyBird check-ins every year you renew, no foreign transaction fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
- Annual fee: $99
- Bonus: Earn 30,000 Southwest points and a Companion Pass after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 3 months
- Other perks: 7,500 Southwest points and 4 EarlyBird check-ins every year you renew, $75 Southwest credit annually, no foreign transaction fees
For casual and infrequent flyers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a good choice, while frequent flyers and business travelers may benefit more from a higher-tier card.
How Does The Companion Pass Work?
The Southwest Companion Pass can be used to bring along one traveling companion for free on all flights for one year.
“Free” does come with an asterisk here because you’ll still have to pay applicable taxes and fees for the companion fare, which start at $5.60.
You can also only change your designated companion up to three times in one year. For example, if you start off having your companion as your husband, then later change your companion to your mother for two flights, and then change it back to your husband, that would count as three changes.
The Companion Pass is a good deal for travelers who frequently fly with the same person, who live in a city with Southwest flights, and who frequently fly to destinations served by Southwest.
