Southwest Airways just lately introduced it is going to end its bags-fly-free policy, ditch its Wanna Get Away fare and make several other customer-unfriendly changes. However, not less than thus far, some of the advantageous choices within the journey trade — the Southwest Companion Go — stays intact.
This priceless profit permits you to deliver a companion alongside without cost (excluding relevant taxes and charges) on limitless Southwest Airlines flights till the move expires. For frequent Southwest flyers, this profit alone can simply quantity to hundreds of {dollars} saved yearly. So, this is what it is best to find out about incomes and utilizing the Southwest Companion Go.
Methods to earn the Southwest Companion Go
To earn a Southwest Companion Pass legitimate via the tip of the following calendar yr, you should accrue 135,000 qualifying factors or full 100 qualifying flights inside a calendar yr.
You possibly can earn qualifying factors via varied means, together with flying with Southwest and interesting with its companions. The latter contains making purchases through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, finishing lodge stays and automotive leases with companions, and utilizing a Southwest bank card for purchases.
Cobranded Southwest bank cards are sometimes the only solution to earn the Companion Go since you will earn qualifying factors on purchases, and the welcome bonus factors are qualifying. Moreover, vacationers with a cobranded Southwest bank card get 10,000 qualifying factors every calendar yr, successfully lowering the Companion Go requirement to 125,000 qualifying factors yearly.
Talking of welcome bonuses on Southwest bank cards, this is a have a look at a number of the present affords:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Earn a Companion Go via Feb. 28, 2026, plus 30,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening (this provide ends March 31).
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn a Companion Go via Feb. 28, 2026, plus 30,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening (this provide ends March 31).
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 factors after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 factors after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The 2 client Southwest playing cards provide a Companion Go legitimate via Feb. 28, 2026, as a part of their welcome provide. Nonetheless, the bonus factors from every provide might provide help to earn a Companion Go legitimate via the tip of 2026.
Lastly, it is also price noting that Southwest often affords promotions for limited-time Companion Passes. For instance, for a short while in February, Southwest let vacationers earn a two-month Companion Go for later this yr after only one spherical journey or two one-way flights.
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Methods to use the Southwest Companion Go
As soon as you’ve got earned a Companion Go, Southwest makes it extremely straightforward to make use of.
Arrange your Companion Go
After you earn the Companion Go, Southwest will ship you a congratulatory e mail inside a number of days. Log in to your Southwest Fast Rewards account to trace your progress towards incomes the Companion Go.
Upon receiving the e-mail, click on the hyperlink to arrange your preliminary companion selection. The method is fast, however you will want to offer details about your companion, together with their authorized identify (matching their ID) and beginning date.
If you wish to preserve the identical companion throughout your Companion Go, you will solely must set it up as soon as. Nonetheless, bear in mind you’ll be able to change your companion as much as 3 times every calendar yr.
Associated: 2 for 1: How airline companion tickets can save you serious money on your next trip
E-book your flight
Earlier than utilizing your Companion Go, you should e book your personal Southwest flight. And if you happen to’re touring with somebody who is not your designated companion, e book their flight, too. For instance, suppose you’re a household of 4 with one grownup holding the Companion Go and the opposite grownup being the companion. In that case, it is best to initially e book tickets for the Companion Go holder and the 2 children.
You possibly can pay in your flights with money or redeem Southwest points when utilizing a Companion Go. Nonetheless, if you are going to buy the tickets with money, bear in mind to incorporate every traveler’s Fast Rewards quantity when reserving to allow them to earn Southwest points on their flights.
Associated: Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
Add your companion to your reservation
After getting booked your flight, you’ll be able to add your companion to your reservation. Doing so instantly after reserving your flight is one of the best ways to make sure you add your companion earlier than the flight sells out.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to’t change a flight with a companion connected. And you’ll typically save severe factors or money by often checking whether or not you’ll be able to rebook at a lower rate. As such, TPG lead author Katie Genter suggests establishing a Y9 alert in ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s mother or father firm, Crimson Ventures) so you will get an e mail when solely 9 seats stay in your flight. Then, as soon as your flight is lower than two weeks out — the purpose at which Southwest flights normally change into costlier — or once you get the Y9 alert e mail, add your companion.
So as to add your companion to a flight, log in to your Southwest account and discover the flight in your upcoming journeys. If you have not added your companion but, it is best to see an “Add companion” button for the flight.
Click on the button and double-check the prefilled data. Proceed via the method till you attain the purpose the place you will must pay the taxes and charges in your companion’s flight. Pay the taxes and charges, and your companion might be confirmed on the flight. Your companion will get a unique affirmation quantity than you, although.
Associated: ‘The Day Southwest Died’: Reactions pour in about the carrier’s big changes
Backside line
The Companion Go may present important worth if you happen to incessantly fly Southwest with a favourite companion. Likewise, if you happen to would fly Southwest incessantly with one other traveler if you happen to might achieve this for about half the price, the Companion Go is price contemplating.
Southwest bank cards can put incomes the Companion Go inside attain even if you happen to do not meet the usual necessities via flights. Better of all, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card have welcome affords via March 31 for a Companion Go legitimate via Feb. 28, 2026, plus 30,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
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