Got my SW Companion Pass!!! Now how do make ressies with it?

[busy mom]

I finally earned enough points, and my companion pass is waiting for me. I have assigned it to my husband, with the knowledge that I can reassign up to 3 times before the end of 2015, if I want the free ticket for someone else.

I will be booking 10/27 when the spring flights open, but I don't see any option to get the companion pass when I book. The site states I need to buy mine first. So would it be 2 separate transactions, or can I book them together?

If anyone has had first hand experience with this, I would appreciate some pointers. I want to be ready to book on Monday.

Thank you!!!

 

[dcfromva]

I finally earned enough points, and my companion pass is waiting for me. I have assigned it to my husband, with the knowledge that I can reassign up to 3 times before the end of 2015, if I want the free ticket for someone else.

I will be booking 10/27 when the spring flights open, but I don't see any option to get the companion pass when I book. The site states I need to buy mine first. So would it be 2 separate transactions, or can I book them together?

If anyone has had first hand experience with this, I would appreciate some pointers. I want to be ready to book on Monday.

Thank you!!!

Congrats on your CP.
1. After you make your ressie, click on the link for "my account"
2. You will see your next flight- to see all your upcoming flights click on the link for 'View All" (Upcoming Trips)
3. You will see a link to "Add a Companion" right below the arrival time of your flight. --click on that link and follow the prompts from there.
Note: there is usually about a 5min delay after booking a flight before it appears in upcoming trips. And, there is about a 5min delay before you will see the Companion confirmation # (which will appear on your flight info)

 

[busy mom]

Perfect, thanks so much!

I just read that spring flights do not open until 11/10. How can I confirm this on the website?

 

[jls886]

sorry, answered question wrong

 

[dcfromva]

Perfect, thanks so much!

I just read that spring flights do not open until 11/10. How can I confirm this on the website?

Look on the travel tools page on the Southwest Airlines website

 

[CaFeeney]

I just checked and it looks like the Spring date on Southwest is now Nov 11th.

 

[stacielee]

I finally earned enough points, and my companion pass is waiting for me. I have assigned it to my husband, with the knowledge that I can reassign up to 3 times before the end of 2015, if I want the free ticket for someone else.

I will be booking 10/27 when the spring flights open, but I don't see any option to get the companion pass when I book. The site states I need to buy mine first. So would it be 2 separate transactions, or can I book them together?

If anyone has had first hand experience with this, I would appreciate some pointers. I want to be ready to book on Monday.

Thank you!!!

I got mine earlier this year and had them confirm the number of times you can change companions. It's actually 3 times per calendar year. So you designate your first one, then you can change 3 times through the end of this year, and 3 times through the end of next year. I called CS to get that confirmed, and also had them send it to me in an email:

"Please know that the Customer Representative you spoke to was correct; you can change your Companion Pass designee three times in a calendar year."​

Everytime you change your companion, which you can do by calling, they will send you a new card with that person's name on it.

 

[KKB]

I got mine earlier this year and had them confirm the number of times you can change companions. It's actually 3 times per calendar year. So you designate your first one, then you can change 3 times through the end of this year, and 3 times through the end of next year. I called CS to get that confirmed, and also had them send it to me in an email:

"Please know that the Customer Representative you spoke to was correct; you can change your Companion Pass designee three times in a calendar year."​

Everytime you change your companion, which you can do by calling, they will send you a new card with that person's name on it.

Great to know!

Shoot, I checked SWA 2 days ago & it said they were opening flights through June 5 on Oct. 27 (I put it in my planner)--now it's Nov. 10. Rats.

 

[djmeredith]

I got mine earlier this year and had them confirm the number of times you can change companions. It's actually 3 times per calendar year. So you designate your first one, then you can change 3 times through the end of this year, and 3 times through the end of next year.

This is what I was told when I called as well.

 

[hsmamato2]

with CP, be aware of a couple of things (it's the BEST) when you book a flight,then book a companion, if you need to switch your booked flight, you can't just 'change' as per normal- you have to cancel your booked flight, which then cancels the CP flight with it. Then you need to rebook. Not much of an issue, but it's an extra step, with a regular points booked SWA flight you just 'change'....process takes a few minutes,maybe 10 for the system to register the changes.(YMMV)
also I believe when switching companions, you can't have one person booked for a flight as companion,and switch to another person while holding that first res. (I think you have to actually take that booked flight before switching,otherwise it appears you have 2 companions)I am not 100% sure, but I think that is the case, so plan your changes carefully.

 

[dcfromva]

with CP, be aware of a couple of things (it's the BEST) when you book a flight,then book a companion, if you need to switch your booked flight, you can't just 'change' as per normal- you have to cancel your booked flight, which then cancels the CP flight with it. Then you need to rebook. Not much of an issue, but it's an extra step, with a regular points booked SWA flight you just 'change'....process takes a few minutes,maybe 10 for the system to register the changes.(YMMV)

Another way to make a change to your flight is to call the SWA number and ask the customer rep to make the flight change to both ressies. They seem to be able to make more types of changes.
I generally book one ways, so coming home one time I noticed there was a standard award type ticket available (it wasn't available when we left home) on the same flight. I called SWA and they were able to change DH to the standard award and my CP ressie stayed the same. This was good because we were within 24hours of departure and it preserved my boarding number.

 

[jimandami]

Another way to make a change to your flight is to call the SWA number and ask the customer rep to make the flight change to both ressies. They seem to be able to make more types of changes. I generally book one ways, so coming home one time I noticed there was a standard award type ticket available (it wasn't available when we left home) on the same flight. I called SWA and they were able to change DH to the standard award and my CP ressie stayed the same. This was good because we were within 24hours of departure and it preserved my boarding number.

Yes, that's how I have done it as well. Just call and have them make the change to both. It's easier because you keep the same confirmation number and don't have to worry about using travel funds (the fees you paid when booking) and all that jazz.

 

[kamcgrory]

Can you book a companioin pass on a ticket that was purchased with reward points?


TIA!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Can you book a companioin pass on a ticket that was purchased with reward points? TIA!

Yep, sure can

 

[dcfromva]

It's easier because you keep the same confirmation number and don't have to worry about using travel funds (the fees you paid when booking) and all that jazz.

That reminded me of one other thing--if the fees you paid when booking included purchasing Early Bird Check In, you definitely want to keep your original confirmation number(s).