Episode #14- Southwest Companion Pass Guide: Step-by-Step Strategy to Earn BOGO Flights for Your Family
You may have heard of buy one get one deals on shoes or other items but have you heard about it for flights?
Today we’re diving into one of my all-time favorite family travel hacks — the Southwest Companion Pass or as I like to call it, BOGO flights. If you want to fly your child (or spouse, or friend!) for almost free for nearly two full years, listen closely, because timing matters and we’re coming up on the key window to start working toward earning it for 2026 and 2027.
The Southwest Companion pass has saved our family thousands of dollars. A couple of years ago, both my husband and I earned it — and two of our kids flew free with us for about a year and a half. Truly one of the BEST points + miles redemptions for families.
And if this feels overwhelming — don’t worry. I’m breaking it down step-by-step.
Let’s go!
🛫 What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass lets you:
✅ Fly one person with you for free (plus taxes/fees — usually ~$5.60)
✅ Use it on every flight, even award flights booked with points
✅ Change your companion up to 3 times per calendar year
✅ Save thousands if you fly as a family
Think of it like Buy-One-Get-One-Free on airfare… for almost two years. 🤯
🗓️ Why Timing Matters
To earn the 2026–2027 pass at maximum value:
You must earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points
Once you hit it, your pass is valid for the rest of the year + the entire next year
So if you earn it in January 2026, you'll have it through December 2027
→ Almost TWO full years of free flights for your companion!
Goal: Hit 135k points early Q1 2026.
💳 How to Earn It
The simplest method:
✅ Open 2 Southwest Credit Cards
1 personal Southwest card (rapid reward plus, 85k, 3k in 3 mo)
1 business Southwest card(performance business 80k, 5k in 3m
Most people qualify for a business card — if you sell on Facebook Marketplace, babysit, freelance, Etsy, photography, etc., that counts as a business.
✅ Earn the Welcome Bonuses
Each card usually offers 50k–75k+ points (sometimes higher with promos)
Combined → Easily gets you to 135k qualifying points.
Very occasionally, there are elevated card offers high enough to earn the pass with 1 card — but counting on that is like waiting for a unicorn. Two-card strategy is the reliable one.
🕒 When to Apply
This is the key strategy ⬇️
Apply for both cards in November or December 2025
BUT — do NOT finish the minimum spend until January 1, 2026
Because:
👉 Bonus points post when you finish the spending
👉 You want those points to post in January
👉 That starts your full 2-year Companion Pass clock
Pro-tip: Put a sticky note on your card —
“DO NOT hit min spend before Jan 1!”
📲 Track Your Progress
Once your bonuses post, track your progress:
Southwest App → Rewards → Companion Pass Tracker
🧩 Need Extra Points?
If you're short a few thousand, here are ways to top up:
Southwest shopping portal
Booking a one-day flight round-trip
Renting a car through Southwest partners
Booking hotels through Southwest
Using your Southwest card for everyday expenses
A few extra bucks to earn the pass = worth it for thousands in savings.
👨👩👧👦 Why This is Amazing for Families
Fly your child free
Switch to a spouse for a couples trip
Switch to grandma for a multigenerational trip
Great for domestic travel, Mexico, Hawaii, Caribbean
We used ours for:
Puerto Rico
orlando
Hawaii
Weekend getaways
Visiting family in tulsa
Random spontaneous trips we wouldn’t have done otherwise 💁♀️
And YES — I had two companion passes at once (mine & my husband's), which meant two kids flew free. Magical.
📝 Quick Recap Strategy
Step-By-Step:
1. Apply for 1 personal & 1 business Southwest card* (Nov/Dec 2025)
2. Do not hit minimum spend until Jan 1, 2026
3. Finish minimum spend early Jan
4. Points post & Companion Pass starts 🔥
5. Enjoy almost 2 years of BOGO flights
💡 Final Tips
Make sure you’re under 5/24 (Chase rules)
Don’t book flights until points post
Set reminders so you don’t accidentally earn points early
Plan to use the pass — it only saves money if you fly Southwest!
*Referral Link (thanks for your support!)
