Last Chance to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass‼️
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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE:
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Some hard news in the points and miles world today…the Southwest Companion Pass as we knew it is officially coming to an end. 😭
The Southwest Companion Pass is (was?! 😰) one of the best deals in travel rewards, especially for families. It lets you bring one person with you on every Southwest flight you take, and they only pay taxes and fees. With a big family, that can mean hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars saved each year.
Southwest announced big changes to Rapid Rewards that go into effect on January 1, 2027.
Previously, welcome offers helped earn the points needed for the Companion Pass, but with the new changes, those points no longer count. So unless you’re looking to spend $140,000 on your Southwest credit card, or take 100 flights, then this is your last chance to earn the pass the easy way, with credit card welcome bonuses. The timing on this is tight, so if you want to make it work, you need to get started immediately.
Let’s dive into what’s changed, and your last chance to earn the pass the old way!
The good news: you can still earn it the old way this year
Until December 31, 2026, the current rules still apply. You need 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights, and credit card welcome bonuses and referrals count toward that total.
If you earn the pass this year, you keep it through December 31, 2027.
Based on this FAQ from the Southwest website, they have confirmed that as long as you OPEN your new Southwest credit card by December 2, 2026, those points will still count toward earning the Companion Pass, even if you meet the qualifying spending in January. 👇🏼
➡️ Read all the FAQs from Southwest HERE.
How to earn the Companion Pass before January 1
First up, check that you are eligible for both cards!
BEFORE applying, make sure you run through this checklist:
Chase 5/24 rule. Chase usually denies you if you have opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months. Most business cards do not count toward your 5/24 count. If you want to open Southwest cards, you need to be under 5/24.
Chase’s new 3/24 rule: Starting September 2026, Chase started enforcing a new 3/24 rule for sole proprietors applying for business cards. If applying as a sole proprietor for a Southwest business card, you will need to be under 3/24, meaning you have opened less than three personal cards from any bank in the last 24 months.
Bonus eligibility: You cannot currently have a Southwest personal card open when applying for a new one, AND it must have been at least 24 months since you last earned the welcome bonus on that card. For business cards, you also cannot currently have the card open that you want to apply for, but you CAN have both business cards and earn the welcome offer on both.
Do you qualify for a business card? You do not need an LLC or a big company. Many sole proprietors and side hustlers qualify. Not sure? Read all about business credit cards and how to apply.
Strategy 1 (which we recommend for most people if you’re under 3/24)
Apply for a Southwest business card first
Begin working on minimum spend right away on the business card
After 30 days, apply for a Southwest personal card (must be BEFORE December 2, 2026!)
Complete minimum spend on both cards
We recommend starting with the business card first in this strategy so it does not add to your 3/24 or 5/24 count.
Strategy 2 (two business cards)
Apply for either Southwest business card
Begin working on minimum spend right away on the business card
After 30 days, apply for the other Southwest business card (must be BEFORE December 2, 2026!)
Complete minimum spend on both cards
*For this strategy, the only way this would be recommended, would be if you currently had zero business cards open with Chase bank, and you are under the 3/24 count. Having an LLC has recently shown to improve chances of approval, but it is not a guarantee and there is a chance of being denied for your second card (or at any point in the process) which could potentially make it impossible to earn the Companion Pass.
What if you miss the deadline?
This is the bad news. While you still technically have a path to the Companion Pass in 2027 and beyond, it requires a ton of spending: $140,000 to be exact. 🫠 This spending amount gives you the required 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) to earn Platinum Status, which secures a Companion Pass through the end of the year that it’s earned.
If you can make it work, earning the pass in 2026 is by far the better deal. Starting in 2027, the Companion Pass as we currently know it is dead. 💀
FAQs and things to remember:
When should I apply for my first card for this strategy?
We recommend applying ASAP to give yourself enough time to meet both minimum spends and still allow about 30 days in between applications.
Can these cards be expedited to start spending quickly?
Most business cards can be expedited by calling Chase. Just tell them you have spending coming up and would like to get your card ASAP. Personal cards cannot usually be expedited, however, it’s worth calling to ask.
How long will I have the Companion Pass if I earn it this year?
You keep it through December 31, 2027.
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
