What if I told you that you could get a buy one, get one on every plane ticket you purchased for the next two years. Would you be interested? Of course you would. It’s easier than you might think. But it does require a bit of planning, but it will be oh so worth it. In this article we will be looking at the Southwest Companion Pass and the best strategy to earn it.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you free, all you have to do is pay the taxes. (Which starts at $5.60 each way per person.) This works every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight. YES! You read that right. This even works with flights booked with points. How great is that?
How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass!
There are two ways to earn this golden ticket:
- Fly 100 one-way flights on Southwest in a calendar year
OR
- Earn 125,000 rapid rewards points in a calendar year
Prior to October of 2019 it was only required to earn 110,000 rapid rewards points in a calendar year. Even though the points required has increased now is the perfect time to try and earn the Southwest Companion Pass. I discuss the best way to do this in this youtube video starting at about the 2:15 mark.
Ways to earn Rapid Rewards Points
One way is going to be by flying. You earn rapid rewards points each time you pay for a ticket. A second way is going to be by shopping and dining. You can do this by linking a credit card or debit card to you rapid rewards account. You earn extra points for purchases at participating restaurants and retailers. You can also use the shopping portal for extra points. Last and the way we will focus on is through credit cards and the signup bonus. This is by far the easiest and fastest way to earn The Southwest Companion Pass.
Best time to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
The best time to obtain it is at the beginning of the year. You want all 125,000 rapid rewards points to hit that account in the same year. As of the writing of this article the date is January 9, 2020. This is an ideal time to get started. Why? Because you earn the companion pass for the remainder of the year in which it was earned and the following full calendar year. So you could get this amazing benefit for nearly a full two years if you plan accordingly. But no worries, I have done all of the homework for you.
Let’s talk strategy
We have already established that the easiest and fastest way to earn The Southwest Companion Pass is with credit cards. We will have to get two Southwest credit cards through Chase bank. Now keep in mind there is well known “rule” in the credit card game with Chase affectionately referred to as The Chase 5/24 “rule”. I use quotes because this isn’t something that Chase actually says exists. What this so called rule entails: If you have opened 5 or more new credit accounts with any bank within the last 24 months (some business cards may not count) you aren’t eligible for any Chase credit cards.
There are 5 different Southwest Credit cards. There are 3 personal versions and 2 business versions. You are only allowed to have 1 personal card. So to earn this you will have to open a personal Southwest credit card and 1 business Southwest credit card. If you sell products, goods, services, etc on any platform that is considered a business. But make sure to check the laws in you local area to make sure you qualify.
The three personal cards have annual fees that range from $69 up to $149. I highly recommend going with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card which does have the highest annual fee at $149. But the value you get more than covers that fee. But from now until February 10, 2020 no matter which card you choose this strategy will work for you as you will earn 75,000 rapid rewards points. After you spend $5,000 within the first 6 months of account opening you will earn those 75,000 points. You earn it in a tiered way. Meaning you earn 40,000 of those points after only $1,000 of spending within the first 3 months of account opening and then you earn the additional 35,000 points after $5,000 of spending total within the first 6 months.
Now it is time to turn your attention to the business cards. There are two of them. At this time either card will help you obtain the needed amount of rapid rewards points so choose the best option for you.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: you will earn 70,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. This card comes with a $199 annual fee.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: you will earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. This card comes with a $99 annual fee.
Are you keeping score?
So now you have spent $8,000 to $10,000 within a 6 month period and have earned at least 143,000 points. You also earned at least 1x point per dollar on $8,000.
This has put you well over the needed 125,000 rapid rewards points to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. Congratulations, you did it!
Want to know the best part?
Those 143,000 rapid rewards points you earned can still be used to redeem for flights. So get to earning and get to flying. The hardest part might be picking your next destination or maybe your companion to fly with?
This is great info!