Southwest Is Making It Harder to Earn a Companion Pass | Credit Cards
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Southwest credit card sign-up bonuses have long offered an easy shortcut to earning the airline’s Companion Pass, but that changes in 2027. Welcome offers won’t count toward Companion Pass qualification, though cardholders can earn Tier Qualifying Points from everyday card spending.
With a Companion Pass, you only pay taxes and fees – starting at $5.60 one-way – for someone joining you on a flight. It lasts for the rest of the year in which the pass is earned and for the following full calendar year.
At a Glance
- Companion Pass qualifying points will be replaced by Tier Qualifying Points on Jan. 1, 2027.
- Cardholders will earn one TQP per dollar spent on Southwest credit cards.
- Reaching the unlimited Companion Pass will require 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights.
Credit Card Bonuses Won’t Count Toward Companion Pass
Welcome bonuses currently count toward the Southwest Companion Pass, which requires 135,000 qualifying points or 100 flights – a popular shortcut for new cardholders. Starting in 2027, those sign-up bonuses will still earn redeemable Rapid Rewards points, but not the TQPs needed to qualify for a Companion Pass. Referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus-category earnings and partner spending won’t earn TQPs, either.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.
The update eliminates an easy Companion Pass strategy: opening new Southwest credit cards and using large welcome offers to quickly reach the qualification threshold.
Members who earn a Companion Pass under the current rules in 2026 will keep Companion Pass benefits through 2027.
Card Spending Counts, but Requirements Are High
Spending on Southwest credit cards can still earn you a Companion Pass. If you want to earn it just from card spending, you’d have to spend $95,000 for three Companion Pass trips or $140,000 for an unlimited Companion Pass.
Southwest is also changing how the Companion Pass fits into Rapid Rewards status tiers. At 95,000 TQPs or 75 one-way flights – in between Gold and Platinum status – you can get a milestone reward of three Companion Pass trips. Unlimited Companion Pass is part of Platinum status, earned with 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights.
TQPs will be earned from Southwest flight purchases, Rapid Rewards credit and debit card spending and qualifying Getaways by Southwest or Southwest Groups bookings. Cardholders will earn one TQP per dollar spent, even on everyday purchases.
Through 2027, Southwest will offer a 10,000-TQP boost for members who reach 130,000 TQPs, allowing them to reach the 140,000-TQP Platinum threshold and earn an unlimited Companion Pass.
Alternative Card to Consider
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is worth considering if you don’t want to chase TQPs but do want to earn flexible rewards that transfer 1:1 to Southwest Airlines. The card doesn’t offer a pathway to a Companion Pass with TQP earnings, but it has a $95 annual fee and earns a 75,000-point bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
