Replay: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

In this episode, we’re revisiting one of the most valuable tools for frequent family travelers—the Southwest Companion Pass. If you've been wondering how to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, or you're looking to maximize your travel savings, this episode is for you.

We share our personal experiences as a family of five, highlighting how earning the Southwest Companion Pass has made a huge impact on our travel plans. We explain how it allows us to fly with one companion for free (except for taxes and fees) on every Southwest flight. Since earning their Companion Passes in early 2023, they’ve traveled to destinations like Maui, Costa Rica, and Washington, D.C., only paying for a fraction of their family’s flights.

If you’re new to this game-changer, we break down exactly how to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, covering the most important steps like when to apply for Southwest credit cards and how to meet the minimum spending requirements. Timing is critical, and Raya and Duane explain how to maximize your travel benefits by planning strategically, especially if you're a larger family like theirs.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

1. What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
2. How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass: We walk you through earning the 135,000 Rapid Rewards points needed within one calendar year. Raya also explains the alternative way to earn the Companion Pass by flying 100 Southwest flights, though she acknowledges that’s a harder route for most families.
3. Maximizing the Companion Pass for Two Years: Learn why applying for the right Southwest credit cards at the right time can help you stretch the benefits for almost two full years.
4. Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Get the Companion Pass: Raya and Duane explain how the Southwest Companion Pass makes sense for people who frequently travel to domestic and nearby international destinations. They also discuss how it may not be the best fit if you don’t live near a Southwest hub or prefer long-haul international travel.

One of the most crucial takeaways from this episode is understanding the best time to apply and spend on your Southwest credit cards. Raya stresses that if you want to earn the Companion Pass for the maximum amount of time, it’s important to ensure that your points hit your account after January 1st, so you can enjoy the pass for two full years.

Throughout the episode, they also share their personal strategies and a mistake Raya made when they first earned their passes—one she wants you to avoid. Whether you’re aiming for more frequent family vacations or planning weekend getaways, this episode is packed with tips on how to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, how to use it, and why it’s a game-changer for larger families.

If you're thinking about applying for Southwest credit cards, now is the time to start, so you can begin earning your Companion Pass for next year. As always, feel free to message us on Instagram at @TravelPartyof5 if you have any questions about how to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. We’re here to help you make your family travel more affordable!

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1. Southwest Companion Pass Explained (00:00:00)

2. Maximizing Southwest Companion Pass Benefits (00:13:30)

3. Southwest Companion Pass Benefits in Action (00:27:42)