How to Earn the Companion Pass Before It's Gone

The Companion Pass Is Changing: What to Do Before Dec 31

If the Southwest Companion Pass has been on your someday list, someday is now. Southwest just announced that starting January 1, 2027, credit card welcome bonuses will no longer count toward the pass.

That's the shortcut almost all of us have used to earn it, and this loophole is closing soon.

What's changing on January 1, 2027

The old Companion Pass qualifying points retire after December 31, 2026. Starting in 2027, Southwest is moving to tier qualifying points. Here's the before and after:

	Through Dec 31, 2026	Starting Jan 1, 2027
Unlimited Companion Pass	135,000 qualifying points or 100 one-way flights	140,000 tier points or 100 one-way flights
Card welcome bonuses	Count	Don't count
Referral bonuses, anniversary points, partner points	Count	Don't count
Everyday card spend	Counts	Counts ($1 = 1 tier point)
Paid Southwest flights	Count	Count
New smaller tier	None	3 companion trips at 95,000 tier points or 75 flights

You'll still earn the Rapid Rewards points from a bonus. They just won't move you any closer to the pass.

Without bonuses, hitting 140,000 on card spend alone means putting $140,000 on a Southwest card. That's not a strategy. That's insanity!

There is Still Time to Earn CP for Next Year

Card bonuses and referral points still count through the end of 2026. Earn 135,000 qualifying points by December 31, 2026, and your pass is good through December 31, 2027. That's a full year of BOGO flights, which is nothing to scoff at.

Your first step is to check your Companion Pass tracker. Heads up: your tracker is NOT the same as your points balance.

• In the Southwest app: tap the profile icon in the top right corner. You'll see how close you are to 135,000.
• On southwest.com: log in, click My Account, and scroll down to My Rapid Rewards.

Whatever you've earned this year counts toward the 135,000, so you may be closer than you think. But on January 1, those qualifying points retire for good.

The game plan (and why you can't wait)

1. Apply now for two Southwest cards. The easiest combo is one business card plus one personal card. As of late September, the Premier Business offered 80,000 points, and the Premier personal offered 55,000. That's 135,000 right there, plus whatever your spending earns. Offers change often, so check the current ones before you apply. I always keep my site updated, so check there.
2. Hit both minimum spends fast. Put your normal bills and groceries on the new cards.
3. Watch your statement closing dates. Bonus points post when your statement closes, not the day you hit the spend. If a statement closes in January, that bonus won't count. If your dates are too close to the wire, call Chase and ask to move your due date. That moves your closing date with it. For example, a statement closing date that is closer to the end of the month will give you more time to meet those minimum spends.

Are you eligible for the personal card bonus?

You can't get the bonus on a personal Southwest card if:

• You currently have ANY personal Southwest card, or
• You've earned a bonus on a personal Southwest card in the last 24 months.

The 24 months start from when your last bonus posted, not when you opened the card. Dig through your old statements or Rapid Rewards activity to find that date. If you have a personal card open now, but are eligible to earn the bonus again, you can cancel the SW card and then reapply. The typical wait time is 30 days, but I've seen plenty of data points showing approval for another personal card after as few as 7 days.

Business cards are separate. Each Southwest business card has its own 24-month clock, so a personal card in your wallet won't stop a business card bonus.

Don't forget referral points

Already have a Southwest card? Referral bonuses still count toward the Companion Pass through December 31. They stop counting on January 1, 2027, just like welcome bonuses.

You earn 20,000 points for every friend who's approved through your referral link, up to 100,000 points a year. Referral points post when your statement closes, so the same December 31 timing rules apply.

This is the secret sauce for couples. One of you earns the pass, then refers the other. Those referral points can push you right over the 135,000 line. Just be sure to get those referrals in early, as they can take up to six weeks to post.

Need a Southwest card? I'd love it if you used my link: Apply for a Southwest card here. It works for the Plus, Premier, and Priority personal cards, and the business cards are listed there too. You just need to click the three lines in the top right-hand corner if you are on a mobile device.

If you're approved through my link, I earn referral points. It doesn't cost you a thing, and it helps me keep teaching this stuff for free. Thank you!

Chase's new 3/24 rule

You've probably heard of Chase's 5/24 rule. If you've opened 5 or more new cards in the last 24 months, Chase will likely say no. Since mid-September, there's a new wrinkle for sole proprietors applying for business cards. Reconsideration reps are citing a 3/24 limit instead.

Count every new personal card and every Chase business card (approved as a sole proprietor) from the last 24 months. If you are at 3/24 with this count, you may not be eligible for another Chase business card as a sole proprietor.

If you're over the limit, you still have a couple of options. If you have an LLC, use that to apply for the business card and then apply for a personal card. If you do not have an LLC, you may need to refer a friend or two to get you across the finish line!

The bottom line

This is the last chance for most people to earn a Companion Pass! If you've been thinking about it, this is your sign. 2027 could have unlimited BOGO flights! Check your tracker, count your cards, and get your applications in so both bonuses post before December 31.

Questions? Send me a DM on my IG account. I'm happy to help you figure out your plan!

As always, I truly appreciate it when you use my referral links — it's a small way to support this community at no cost to you, and it helps me keep the free content coming.

Happy travels! ✈️🌍

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