Do you have the Southwest Companion Pass but need to change your travel companion? Southwest Airlines lets you change your Companion Pass travel partner up to three times a calendar year. Because of its generous benefits, the Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best award travel perks you can get your hands on especially if you time it right you can get two years of free flights.
How to Change Southwest Companion Pass Companion
You can change your travel companion up to three times a calendar year. This policy is very flexible, but Southwest states you should allow up to 21 days for the changes to take effect. Additionally, reservation(s) that include the current Companion Pass must be canceled before you can switch your Companion.
If you need to change your travel companion, you must call 1-800-435-9792 to begin the change process. Note that it can take up to 21 days for your new travel companion to receive their Companion Pass.
Things to Know Before You Change Your Travel Companion
Before you give Southwest a call, keep these things in mind before changing companions:
- You can only have one companion at a time
- You must either cancel or complete existing reservations with your current travel companion
- Your current companion must fly with you to fly for free
- Your new travel companion can be a family member or friend
If you plan on flying out next week with your current companion, you should wait until the flight itinerary is completed before you make the change request. Otherwise, you will need to cancel your companion's flight or pay the current cash value for the ticket.
It can take up to 21 days to complete the change so don't wait until the last minute to request the change or you'll have to use cash or points to book your new companion's ticket. There isn't a fee to change your Companion Pass.
Since your Companion Pass can be good for up to two calendar years, you can theoretically have up to six different travel companions; three this year and three different companions the next calendar year.
Benefits of the Southwest Companion Pass
Why is the Southwest Companion Pass one of the best award travel benefits?
The reason is simple. Your travel companion flys for half the price of fees and taxes which are usually $5.60 each way when they fly with you. Plus, there are no seat restrictions or blackout dates.
Southwest Airlines has been adding destinations over the years and their most recent addition is Hawaii which they haven't quite started flying to yet. With the Companion Pass, you can affordably fly to Hawaii with your Companion (and your 4 free bags). But, anytime you only have to pay a small fee for a second ticket it's a good deal, regardless of destination if you buy your seat with cash or points.
Earning the Southwest Companion Pass
It has become slightly more difficult to earn the Southwest Companion Pass in recent years. However, it is still achievable if you play your cards right and fly Southwest on a regular basis. Remember, before you can even begin thinking about switching travel companions around, you need to earn the Pass yourself.
Here are the four ways to earn a Companion Pass:
- Fly 100 one-way flights in a calendar year or earn 110,000 Rapid Rewards miles
- Use a Rapid Rewards credit card to earn purchase rewards and sign-up bonus
- Make purchases with the hotel, rental car, and ground transportation partners
- Make purchases from a Southwest Rapid Rewards retail or restaurant partner
Transferring points from travel partners such as the Marriott Flights and Nights packages or the 1:1 Chase Sapphire Ultimate Rewards purchases no longer count towards the 110,000 point requirement.
However, points earned from every Southwest and non-Southwest purchase with a Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards co-branded airline credit cards do count towards the 110,000 required points. The sign-up bonus also counts, so make sure you only apply for a Southwest credit card if you can meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus points.
Earn Your Southwest Companion Pass Early in the Year
Your Southwest Companion Pass is valid for up to two calendar years because it's good for all of this calendar year and all of next year.
If you earn your Companion Pass on May 1, 2018, you will enjoy the free travel benefits through December 31, 2019. Earning your Pass on January 1, 2019, means your travel companion flies free through December 31, 2020.
To get the most value from your Companion Pass, try to earn it as early in the year as possible. This might only be possible by applying for a new Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card so don't forget to strategically implement that award tactic when the time is right. Even if you have to wait until the end of the calendar year, you still get a year of free travel.
Summary on Changing the Companion on the Southwest Companion Pass
By being proactive and changing your travel companion at least 21 days before you need to book your next flight, you'll never have to worry about who sits next to you on a Southwest Airlines flight again. Changing your travel companion isn't an instant process, but it can still be completed relatively quickly.
If you're in a crunch to change your travel companion quickly, call 1-800-435-9792 immediately to get the ball rolling.
