Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[buzz1fan]

I am still struggling with understanding companion pass.
If I apply for a card today and put my flights on it for December. Then spend what I need to in next few months. When would I get the companion pass- would I be able to use it for June flights- and how do I use it. I would be purchasing tickets for me- my husband and son. My husband I would attach to that pass.

 

[focusondisney]

I am still struggling with understanding companion pass.
If I apply for a card today and put my flights on it for December. Then spend what I need to in next few months. When would I get the companion pass- would I be able to use it for June flights- and how do I use it. I would be purchasing tickets for me- my husband and son. My husband I would attach to that pass.

You have to have 135,000 points deposited into your Rapid Rewards account in a calendar year to earn a companion pass. The current bonus offer for opening a new card is 100,000 points after you spend $4000. So making that $4000 spend & getting the bonus points isn’t enough to earn a CP as those alone would only be 104,000 points. You’ll still need 31K more points. If you already have RR points you acquired this calendar year, those would count too. * Note: the CP qualifying points reset on January 1st. Only what you earn in a calendar year count towards the CP.

Once you hit 135K points, you’re qualified. You have to designate who your companion is. Once you book a flight, you have an option to “Add A Companion”. You do have to pay the taxes for the companion’s tickets. And any upgraded seating. The CP is good for the remainder of the year you earn it & all of the following year.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I am still struggling with understanding companion pass.
If I apply for a card today and put my flights on it for December. Then spend what I need to in next few months. When would I get the companion pass- would I be able to use it for June flights- and how do I use it. I would be purchasing tickets for me- my husband and son. My husband I would attach to that pass.

Note: the CP qualifying points reset on January 1st. Only what you earn in a calendar year count towards the CP.

So, the point @focusondisney made about the calendar year reset is going to be really important here. You need to decide if you want a pass that' earned in 2025 good for the rest of this year into 2026. OR, a pass that's earned in 2026 good through 2026 and 2027 (assuming they still have one and they don't announce in Q4 that this is being phased out).

My slight correction to the first response is that cardholders get a 10k head start towards earning CP. So, you only need to generate 125k in additional RR to make it happen, but they all have to be in the same calendar year. Since you mention putting December flights on it, I'm going to assume you're going for 2025-2026.

If you are willing to open a business credit card, it's all much easier. One business card and one personal card with the current bonus lands you at the CP after hitting basic spend on both of them.

With just a personal card, you would for sure need to hit $4k in spend with that statement closing in 2025. That guarantees you 104k RRs, more if you maximize spend categories. (For instance, the $99 annual fee card is 2x on Gas and Grocery for the first $5k spent. So, could load up on gift cards from your preferred grocery store or gas station to make that $5k spend stretch to 10k RR) Then, you'll also get credit for those December flights and any other SW points you've earned already this year. Do you know what that number is? If you did that full $5k grocery/gas spend, you'll have 110k RRs plus whatever you're earning for flights this year. With no flight earnings, that $15k more in spend you'd have to do.

How many times are you going to fly in 2026? If you're not using the CP multiple times, then you want to think about whether you would get better value putting that on a different card. A basic 2% cashback card would generate $300 for your same 15k spend, which might be about the value you get out of the CP anyway, if you're not flying on it a lot.

 

[focusondisney]

My slight correction to the first response is that cardholders get a 10k head start towards earning CP.

I was trying to make my info as simple as possible. I didn’t include that 10K boost in my remarks because the OP talked about earning it this year. That boost is given on January 1st, so the OP wouldn’t get it for 2025. It would be a benefit for her if she waits to earn it in 2026. In 2025, she will need to earn 35K plus her signing bonus.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I was trying to make my info as simple as possible. I didn’t include that 10K boost in my remarks because the OP talked about earning it this year. That boost is given on January 1st, so the OP wouldn’t get it for 2025. It would be a benefit for her if she waits to earn it in 2026. In 2025, she will need to earn 35K plus her signing bonus.

You get the boost 1/1 for existing card, you get it within a couple days of opening for mid year cards. So, still only 25k additional.

Edited to add exact text here: Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmember, you will earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year. The boost will be deposited into your eligible Rapid Rewards account by January 31st each calendar year or up to 30 days after account opening.

They say 1/31 or 30 days, but my experience is it's faster than that.

 

[focusondisney]

You get the boost 1/1 for existing card, you get it within a couple days of opening for mid year cards. So, still only 25k additional.

Edited to add exact text here: Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmember, you will earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year. The boost will be deposited into your eligible Rapid Rewards account by January 31st each calendar year or up to 30 days after account opening.

They say 1/31 or 30 days, but my experience is it's faster than that.

Well thanks for that info! I did not know that! I’ve had my card since well before the boosts became a benefit & never read that. Thanks again!