SW companion pass - one companion at a time?

[Frwinkley]

Companion pass question:

Can you only have 1 companion booked at a time?


Here’s my dilemma: Travel booked June 20-28. DH is my companion. We’re all set.

I now want to take a trip with DD June 9-13. I didn’t realize I could only have 1 trip booked at a time using the pass.

Would this strategy work? Cancel DH as companion (leave my flight alone since I paid with points). Add DD as companion and take trip June 9-13. After that trip is complete, add DH back on.

Travel dates can’t be changed, so that’s not an option.

 

[WVMomof3]

Companion pass question:

Can you only have 1 companion booked at a time?


Here’s my dilemma: Travel booked June 20-28. DH is my companion. We’re all set.

I now want to take a trip with DD June 9-13. I didn’t realize I could only have 1 trip booked at a time using the pass.

Would this strategy work? Cancel DH as companion (leave my flight alone since I paid with points). Add DD as companion and take trip June 9-13. After that trip is complete, add DH back on.

Travel dates can’t be changed, so that’s not an option.

I think that would work, but know that you would not be able to change your companion again for the rest of the year. I believe you can have 3 different ones per year so you would have DH, DD, DH and that is it. Maybe someone else will chime in who knows for sure, or you can call and ask.

 

[1st*toright]

I think that would work, but know that you would not be able to change your companion again for the rest of the year. I believe you can have 3 different ones per year so you would have DH, DD, DH and that is it. Maybe someone else will chime in who knows for sure, or you can call and ask.

This is consistent with my understanding. You have to complete the trip with one companion before you can change the companion to someone else. As long as there are any seats left on the plane, you will be able to add your DH as a companion for your late June trip after your first trip is over. As long as the rest of your 2019 calendar year travel will work with DH as your companion, you should be ok.

 

[MillauFr]

I have multiple credit cards with Alaska so I can get more companion passes. Can't you do the same thing on Southwest?

 

[lilmc]

From DH our household Companion Pass expert:

This is where points are helpful as I just cancel and get the points back. I would buy the anytime fare now and cancel to get a full refund (Wanna Get Away fares are not fully refundable) to avoid the flight selling out. Take the first trip and as soon as you get home, change the companion by calling SW, have SW add the new companion then cancel the purchased anytime ticket.

I would wait on changing DH back right away since you only get 3 changes to companion a year.

 

[Frwinkley]

OP here:

I need to wait until my points post (statement closes today) before I can book the earlier of my two June trips. My thought is this: delete DH as my companion NOW, but keep flight that I booked with my points (that’s the late June trip). Book earlier June trip using points and add my DD as my companion. Once that trip is completed (June 13th), add DH back as companion for June 20th trip.

Does this sound right?

Thanks so much!

 

[lilmc]

DH says “seems right”, but also “I would add that she should still book another ticket for DH’s flight on June 20th just in case it may sell out. Either with points or Anytime fare so refundable”

 

[Frwinkley]

I greatly appreciate your DH’s help!

One last question: my understanding is that as long as there is even one empty seat on the flight, you can add your companion, regardless of the class of service in which you booked your own ticket.

Is that correct?

There seems to be some debate on another thread.

Thank you!

 

[wendow]

I greatly appreciate your DH’s help!

One last question: my understanding is that as long as there is even one empty seat on the flight, you can add your companion, regardless of the class of service in which you booked your own ticket.

Is that correct?

There seems to be some debate on another thread.

Thank you!

You are correct. Companion pass is good for any seat on the plane!

 

[lilmc]

Yep, DH agrees. As long as there are still seats available

He relays this tidbit though: I’ve had to held a seat twice on a flight that ended selling out. Can be nerve racking because you have to get an agent that is quick otherwise someone else could take it when you cancel it to add the companion.

 

[Frwinkley]

What about this strategy: DH and I are scheduled to go to DEN June 20-28. I booked this roundtrip flight with points (less than 23,000 RT, non-stop flights from Pittsburgh). Same flights now are more than double the points (which I don't have). I don't want to spend $800 to get us out there (this is the price of the Anytime fare roundtrip). I realize this is fully refundable, but I'd hate for this to be my only option.

So here's what I'm thinking: Remove DH as companion (but keep the flight that I booked for less than 23,000 points). Add DD for the trip to MCO June 9-13. I'll pay cash for that flight and she'll travel as my companion. Flights are reasonable priced.

Once that trip is over, remove DD as companion and add DH. With any luck, I add him to my existing reservation. If that flight is unavailable, I cancel by original flight and points are deposited back into my account. I than rebook (there are 3 non-stops from PIT to DEN and back), but I might have to settle for less than convenient flight times.

Thoughts?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

No you can only have one companion listed at a time. You can name change your companion names 2 times during the life of the CP. Yes you can do as you mentioned above. Just keep in mind for the remaining time that you have the pass you will not be able to change the names anymore after you add the DH back on. Because you have used the 3 name changes. The first name is the person you originally listed then you added DD and then switched back to DH.

 

[lilmc]

Sounds good to us if you’re flexible/ok with no seats available for him as a possibility.