If you want a Southwest Companion Pass, 2026 is the last year of the current rules. Under the 2026 rules, qualifying activity must post by December 31, 2026. Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one way flights by then and you get unlimited Companion Pass trips through the end of 2027.
One exception is stated for cards. For cardmembers approved by December 2, 2026 who meet the requirements for the card's welcome bonus, those points have the opportunity to count as Companion Pass qualifying points, even if the spend threshold is met in early 2027.
From January 1, Southwest counts tier qualifying points instead of Companion Pass qualifying points, and welcome bonuses do not earn them.
More on Southwest Rapid Rewards
Review all Southwest Rapid Rewards tips and tricks →- Companion Pass + cash flights
- Companion Pass + award flights
- Choice fare-equivalent on short-haul routes
Cards that earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points
- Apply now
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99 annual fee · Our review
- Apply now
Southwest Premier Business
$149 annual fee · Our review
- Apply now
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
$149 annual fee · Our review
Offers and terms change. Each card’s page shows the current offer and when we last checked it.
Disclosure
crazy4points is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Southwest Airlines or Rapid Rewards. This alert is information, not financial or tax advice. We may earn a commission if you use links on this page. Southwest sets the terms and can change them; confirm them on southwest.com.
- End Date
- December 31, 2026
- Action
- Monitor This Deal
- Published
- October 16, 2026