Introduction
The Southwest companion pass is one of the most sought after travel benefits as it entitles your chosen companion to fly with you for free (you just pay $5.60 in security fees per one way flight). The start of each year is the most popular time for people to try to qualify as the pass is valid for the calendar year it’s earned and then the following calendar year. To qualify you need to do either of the following within a calendar year:
- Fly 100 qualifying one way flights or
- Earn 110,000 Southwest points
The most popular way to earn the pass has been to sign up for two Chase Southwest cards, after meeting the minimum spend requirements you’d earn up with 104,000 points just 6,000 points shy of the 110,000 points required. This has become a lot more difficult with the introduction of the Chase 5/24 rule.
Negative Changes
Southwest has updated it’s terms and made some negative changes to what does & doesn’t count towards the companion pass. Via TPG, the following no longer count:
- Points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs
- e-Rewards
- e-Miles
- Valued Opinion
- Diners Club
Transferring points from a hotel partner was one of the easiest ways to get the additional 6,000 points required if you signed up for two Chase Southwest cards. In addition the other popular way to earn the Chase southwest companion pass is through the Marriott hotel + air packages. For 270,000 Marriott points (or 90,000 SPG points) you can get 120,000 Southwest points and seven nights at a category 1-5 property. Both of these will no longer be available as options.
Our Verdict
It makes sense for Southwest to announce changes to the companion pass at the start of year, the lack of warning is disappointing though as a lot of people will have moved/collected points to earn a companion pass early in the year. Biggest disappointment from my perspective is the fact that the Marriott packages will no longer work.
What are some other good ways to earn qualifying Southwest points? Let us know in the comments below.
