Question about SW companion pass

[disfanforlife]

I have a companion pass that expires on 12/31/16. When I went to book a flight for March 2017 it shows that I can add a companion. Does that mean that as long as I book a flight before the expiration date the companion can still travel free after the date?

 

[Alexle2007]

Found this on The Points Guy:

12. You cannot add a companion to flights that occur after your Companion Pass expires. If your Companion Pass expires at the end of this year, you can’t add a companion to a flight that departs next year, even if you book it this year.

Read more: http://thepointsguy.com/2014/11/sou...things-every-flyer-should-know/#ixzz4GeBuihP6

 

[disfanforlife]

Found this on The Points Guy:

12. You cannot add a companion to flights that occur after your Companion Pass expires. If your Companion Pass expires at the end of this year, you can’t add a companion to a flight that departs next year, even if you book it this year.

Read more: http://thepointsguy.com/2014/11/sou...things-every-flyer-should-know/#ixzz4GeBuihP6

Thanks, that's what I thought, but its weird that it seems like the system will allow. Still, I am not going to try and do it. I was just wondering if I misunderstood somehow.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think not.... I am guessing if you actually tried the system wouldn't book it(?) that would be the worlds most awesome glitch if it did!

 

[disfanforlife]

I think not.... I am guessing if you actually tried the system wouldn't book it(?) that would be the worlds most awesome glitch if it did!

I was wondering the same thing too. But I am not going to knowingly try it if I know it is not allowed. It's not worth it to me. On the other hand, if I had misunderstood how it worked and I could have booked now while the companion pass is still valid and travel later I would have been thrilled!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Our companion pass expires 12/31/16 as well, and I think I'll get the companion pass in my name this time. However, we may have two trips in early 2017, so I'm disappointed I won't likely have it in time for those, as I'll wait to earn it until January 2017, so as to maximize it through 2018.

Anyone know for sure about this scenario? I am the companion through 12/31, my husband the cc holder. I also have one SW cc, but as I understand it, as long as I haven't received the signup points in 2 years, I'd be eligible for them again. Do I have to cancel my SW card, or can they just reoffer the signup bonus?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Our companion pass expires 12/31/16 as well, and I think I'll get the companion pass in my name this time. However, we may have two trips in early 2017, so I'm disappointed I won't likely have it in time for those, as I'll wait to earn it until January 2017, so as to maximize it through 2018.

Anyone know for sure about this scenario? I am the companion through 12/31, my husband the cc holder. I also have one SW cc, but as I understand it, as long as I haven't received the signup points in 2 years, I'd be eligible for them again. Do I have to cancel my SW card, or can they just reoffer the signup bonus?

You have to close your existing account to get the signup bonus again. You should cancel your existing card and leave it closed for approximately 30 days before reapplying (there have been mixed reports in the past that if you reapply sooner they may just reopen your old account).

 

[jayfo]

I'm the companion for my DH's account. I'm good through 12/31/16. We have a flight for him booked in Feb 2017 and it did have the option to add companion. Went through all the motions but got the error message at the end. I'll have to wait for him to qualify again (only about 9K points away), making me good through 12/31/17. Then I can book that Feb trip. So it's just a waiting game at this point. Took me a few minutes to get it figured out on why I kept getting the error message.......then I was like...duh......LOL

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I'm the companion for my DH's account. I'm good through 12/31/16. We have a flight for him booked in Feb 2017 and it did have the option to add companion. Went through all the motions but got the error message at the end. I'll have to wait for him to qualify again (only about 9K points away), making me good through 12/31/17. Then I can book that Feb trip. So it's just a waiting game at this point. Took me a few minutes to get it figured out on why I kept getting the error message.......then I was like...duh......LOL

Have you considered waiting until January to finish off that last 9K? If you qualify in January of 2017, you'll have the companion pass through December of 2018. A whole extra year!

 

[mfly]

Have you considered waiting until January to finish off that last 9K? If you qualify in January of 2017, you'll have the companion pass through December of 2018. A whole extra year!

If they waited until January 2017, they would need to earn 110,000 points to earn CP, rather than the 9k they have left now.

Companion Pass Qualifying Points are reset at the beginning of the calendar year; you must earn 110,000 CPQP in a single calendar year to be awarded Companion Pass.

 

[hsmamato2]

Have you considered waiting until January to finish off that last 9K? If you qualify in January of 2017, you'll have the companion pass through December of 2018. A whole extra year!

as noted,won't work, you have to earn the points between Jan-dec of any given year,all of them.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Got it! I was a little rusty on this- thanks for the info!

 

[ejcraft]

so can someone clarify something on the companion pass for me. I currently already have the visa, but its over 2yrs old so can reapply to get the points. !st I should close my old account for at least 30 days before I apply. Then apply so I earn those 110,000pts in say January or February, at which point my companion pass will be good till Dec 2018. correct? And does a personal visa and a business via in my name count to add points together, or is it just 2 personal cards. just trying to figure out the best way.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

so can someone clarify something on the companion pass for me. I currently already have the visa, but its over 2yrs old so can reapply to get the points. !st I should close my old account for at least 30 days before I apply. Then apply so I earn those 110,000pts in say January or February, at which point my companion pass will be good till Dec 2018. correct? And does a personal visa and a business via in my name count to add points together, or is it just 2 personal cards. just trying to figure out the best way.

You got it right 100%. I've done it 3 different times just the way you describe. 2 personal or 1 personal and 1 business will work.

On the "over 2 years old" - just make sure it has been over 2 years (24 months) since you RECEIVED the 50k bonus. (Not just 24 months since you opened the card)

Only point to add is if you've opened 5 or more credit cards in the last 2 years you'll have an issue but most people won't run into that problem.