Are you confused about choosing a good airline to travel with a companion and the expenses? We have great news that can cheer you up. You save big on flights with the amazing Companion Pass offered by Southwest Airlines. For those who always chose Expedia flight bookings, “Can you get a Southwest Companion Pass for free via Expedia?” Reading the article below, you’ll get to know all about the Companion Pass, its eligibility criteria, steps to designate a companion, and so much more.
Does Southwest have a Companion Pass?
Some people fly rarely, some fly for vacations, and some fly for business quite frequently. So, if you fly very often with a travel partner, the Southwest Companion Pass is nothing less than a miracle for you. This pass is made to let one designated companion fly with you for free (does not include taxes and other fees). You can fly with a companion with this pass every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight reservation. Southwest found a way to retain its customers by allowing them to save big on traveling and improving their overall experience.
Does booking Expedia get you a free Companion Pass?
It is completely optional to book Southwest flights directly from the airline. You can use any third-party online travel agency such as Expedia. It is known to offer great deals on flights across different airlines. However, you may need more than this to get a free Southwest Companion Pass. You cannot obtain it simply by purchasing it or booking flights via a particular platform. You would have to meet some qualifying standards with Southwest Airlines.
How do I get Southwest Companion Pass?
For frequent travelers to qualify for the Companion Pass, Southwest Airlines has mentioned some eligibility terms. You can only get the pass if one or both of these conditions are met.
- Passengers must fly on a minimum of 100 qualifying one-way flights; or
- Earn 135000 Rapid Reward points in a duration of one calendar year
Once you get the Companion Pass, it will be valid for the following year. This duration will also include the remainder of the year in which you achieved it. You would have to keep the status by re-qualifying for the pass every year.
How to designate a Southwest Airlines companion pass?
If you have a common travel partner for most of your trips, you can even designate them on Southwest. Given below are the steps:
- Visit the official Southwest website.
- Use your credentials to sign into your Rapid Rewards account.
- Go for the “Choose Your Companion” option.
- Then tap on “Enter Companion Info” and follow the onscreen instructions.
Another way to do it is to call the Southwest phone number and ask an executive to do it for you (this is an easier way to designate your travel partner).
Do I get the Companion Pass with Rapid Rewards Credit Card?
Yes, you can use the unique Rapid Rewards credit card or the Southwest Companion Pass credit card. The card offers free sign-up bonuses. Other ways in which this card can help are:
If you use it to pay for flights on Expedia or any other platform, you can get a boost of 10000 points every calendar year.
Use the card to make payments for dining, shopping, and travel companions to earn base points that can qualify for the Companion pass.
Note: Please keep in mind that they may not be considered for the Companion Pass if you
- purchase the points
- convert them from hotel and car loyalty programs
- get bonus points from other programs
- have them transferred from other members
Tips to earn the Companion Pass Southwest
Flying a total of 100 qualifying flights and getting a minimum of 135000 qualifying points in one calendar year cannot be easy. So these few tips below will help you get the Southwest Companion Pass as quickly as possible.
- If you want to avoid any issues or complications and get the maximum points, we suggest you make flight reservations directly through the Southwest website or any other airline-trusted agency such as Expedia.
- Southwest, in association with Chase, offers multiple credit cards. You can use the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card to gain points by making fight payments. There are sign-up bonuses, and you get 10000 points boost every calendar year.
- Southwest often runs promotions and other offers. If you take advantage of these offers to get discounted fares and earn bonuses, you can get the Companion Pass very quickly.
- You have to make sure that you have “qualifying” points - not all flights, purchases, payments, and points can be added to the required points for a Companion Pass. Only points mentioned in your billing statement and Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year can qualify you for the pass.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines brought the Companion Pass to help their customers save money on flight reservations. For frequent flyers, this is a dream come true. They can take one designated companion with them on their travel plans for free. You cannot get the Companion Pass free on Expedia, but we have mentioned how does Southwest Companion pass work and what the eligibility criteria are. We believe the tips at the end can help you get the pass very quickly and improve your overall experience with Southwest Airlines.
