Southwest Airlines is bringing back one of its most coveted promotions, but you need to act fast since the window to take advantage of the deal won’t be open for long.
If you apply for one of the three Southwest personal credit cards between today and March 31, then spend $4,000 on the card within 90 days of receiving your card approval, you’ll earn a one-year Companion Pass. This limited-time offer allows travelers to earn the pass much more easily than usual, potentially saving thousands on airfare through February 2026.
The Companion Pass is Southwest's crown jewel, allowing a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees, typically $5.60 each way on domestic flights. What sets it apart from companion fares from other airlines is its unlimited use: Your companion may join you on any flight, whether booked with cash, points, or travel credits.
Normally, earning the Southwest Companion Pass requires flying 100 one-way flights or accumulating 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. But over the next two months, Southwest is making it significantly easier to snag this valuable benefit.
Southwest cards at a glance
Three Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards are eligible for this limited-time offer: the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Here’s a quick glance at each card’s main features:
How to get the Southwest Companion Pass in three easy steps:
- Apply for an eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card.
- Spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months.
- Receive 30,000 Rapid Rewards points and earn the Companion Pass through February 28, 2026.
This offer is a no-brainer for Southwest flyers
The value proposition here is clear. By meeting a relatively modest spending requirement, you'll unlock a whole year of buy-one-get-one-free travel on Southwest. Receiving 30,000 Rapid Rewards points only sweetens the deal further. Depending on your travel dates and destinations, these points could be worth $400 or more in Southwest flights.
This is particularly appealing for families who frequently travel together, business travelers who can bring a spouse or friend on trips, or anyone looking to maximize their travel budget. Southwest has customer-friendly policies, most notably that flyers can check two bags for free on every Southwest flight. Adam Frankel, a credit card writer and expert, loves Southwest for family travel.
“Not having to pay to check a bag is the unsung hero of this airline,” says Frankel. “We flew as a family three times in six months on Southwest, saving over $280 with the free checked bag perk.”
Keep in mind that you're only eligible if you don't currently have a Southwest personal credit card and haven't received a new cardmember bonus in the past 24 months. You'll also still be responsible for taxes and fees on companion tickets. While this is only $5.60 per flight domestically, international flights can have hundreds in dollars in taxes.
The takeaway
This Southwest Companion Pass offer represents a rare opportunity to secure one of the most valuable perks in travel with minimal effort. For anyone who flies Southwest even a few times a year, this deal could result in significant savings. Just remember to weigh the card's annual fee against your potential travel savings to ensure it's the right fit for your situation.
