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Southwest Companion Pass.

What is it:

The SW CP is arguably the most valuable airline perk available today. It allows you to bring a companion with you for free on any Southwest flight, regardless of whether you are on a revenue or award ticket. All you pay are the government taxes on the ticket. The pass works for all Southwest flights, including international flights. The pass also works on Airtran flights that are sold on Southwest.com. Airtran flights that are not sold on Southwest.com are not eligible.
Like all other Southwest award bookings, the CP is not subject to any capacity controls, and as long as there is still a seat for sale on a particular flight, it is yours.
The pass is valid for the year it is earned in and the entire next calendar year. If you earned your CP in July 2014, your pass will be valid for the remainder of 2014 and the entirety of 2015.

How to get it:

The SW CP is obtained by earning 125,000 Southwest points in one calendar year. For example, if you earned 8k points by flying at the beginning of 2014, you need to earn another 117k points throughout the rest of 2014 in order to qualify for CP. Once 2015 rolls around, the points you've earned in 2014 no longer qualify for earning your CP, although they will still be redeemable points.

The primary method of accumulating Southwest points is CC signup bonuses. The Southwest CC frequently offers 50k point signup bonuses on all 4 flavors of Southwest cards and signup bonuses count towards earning the CP. Get approved for 2 of these cards, meet the 2k spending requirement on each and you are only 21k points away from the CP.

All points earned through the Rapid Rewards shopping mall also count towards SW CP eligibility.
Points transferred from Hyatt, Club Carlson, Marriott, and Wyndham all count towards CP status.
Points transferred from Ultimate Rewards do not count towards CP, although you can transfer can transfer 50K Ultimate Rewards points into 50K Hyatt and 50K Hyatt transfers into 30K Southwest.

Points earned by crediting hotel stays and car rentals to Southwest also count towards CP.

Using the CP:

Using your CP is very simple. Once you book a flight on Southwest, an "Add a companion" button will appear under your reservation. Just fill out the info and pay the taxes and you are done.
It is best to add your companion right when you book your own flight as there have been instances where people have forgotten to add their companion, the flight subsequently sold out and they were not able to add their companion. One thing to keep in mind is that online changes with a companion booked are not possible, you need to cancel the companion, wait 10-15 min, make the change and then add the companion again. You can make the necessary changes over the phone though.
You can change your companion up to 3 times during the life of your CP. (I believe you can change it 3 times per calendar year.)

« Last edited by pointer on January 23, 2020, 03:35:55 PM »

Author Topic: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread  (Read 316300 times)

Offline as2

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1100 on: January 05, 2017, 08:40:18 PM »
You can get the premier and the plus, both personal cards, if you can find 50k links for both.
I believe you can find links for both on the SW MS

Edit: sorry missed the 50k
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Offline Mountain Man

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1101 on: January 05, 2017, 10:06:22 PM »
Does anyone know if the CP will be automatic for those of us who already made the transfer or if we'll need to call in?
Quote from: JTZ link=topic=10531.msg1695873
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Offline mendy613

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1102 on: January 05, 2017, 11:27:46 PM »
Does anyone know if the CP will be automatic for those of us who already made the transfer or if we'll need to call in?

Automatic

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Offline mendy613

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1103 on: January 05, 2017, 11:32:50 PM »
I am debating doing the hotel transfer..

We already have the CP for this coming year (2nd time) and are expecting our 2nd child IYH any day.

So that would allow us four seats for 2017 and two seats in 2018.

Kinda bored of the SW scene already (How many times do we need to see Chicago-Midway?!)

Anyone debating with a similar situation?

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1104 on: January 05, 2017, 11:38:40 PM »



Kinda bored of the SW scene already (How many times do we need to see Chicago-Midway?!)
Brought a smile to my face. Thanks.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Mountain Man

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1105 on: January 05, 2017, 11:42:01 PM »
I am debating doing the hotel transfer..

We already have the CP for this coming year (2nd time) and are expecting our 2nd child IYH any day.

So that would allow us four seats for 2017 and two seats in 2018.

Kinda bored of the SW scene already (How many times do we need to see Chicago-Midway?!)

Anyone debating with a similar situation?
I was kind of feeling the same. Being based out of Denver I've been to Phoenix, LA, Vegas, Bay Area, Dallas quite a bit over the past two years which is why I waited until January to upgrade. When TPG had that post out about transfers ending I realized that I wasn't over the CP at all. I LUV it   ;)
Quote from: JTZ link=topic=10531.msg1695873
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Offline Mushkie10

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1106 on: January 05, 2017, 11:49:21 PM »
This may be a bit off topic for this chat, if it is please direct me to correct place. I am thinking of doing this marriott deal to get the companion pass, but I won't be able to use a 7 consecutive night stay this year, do you think these have any money value? Can they be sold? Any other good ideas? (to go on a seven day vaca is a great idea but just wont happen with four kids under 6! :o :D)
Thanks. 

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1107 on: January 05, 2017, 11:55:16 PM »
This may be a bit off topic for this chat, if it is please direct me to correct place. I am thinking of doing this marriott deal to get the companion pass, but I won't be able to use a 7 consecutive night stay this year, do you think these have any money value? Can they be sold? Any other good ideas? (to go on a seven day vaca is a great idea but just wont happen with four kids under 6! :o :D)
Thanks.
Yes, people do sell them here on the forums.
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Offline Mushkie10

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1108 on: January 06, 2017, 12:05:02 AM »
Do you know what they go for? And is the name it was issued to not a problem? Or perhaps I should sell it now in advance and have their name put on originally?

Offline Agoldsc1

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1109 on: January 08, 2017, 09:42:47 AM »
Do you know what they go for? And is the name it was issued to not a problem? Or perhaps I should sell it now in advance and have their name put on originally?

I've seen them listed anywhere from $300-$450. I imagine that there will be a surplus of them available in the coming months since many people will try to take advantage of the CP through Marriott before the option expires in March.

Offline chinagel

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1110 on: January 08, 2017, 10:10:28 AM »
Do you know what they go for? And is the name it was issued to not a problem? Or perhaps I should sell it now in advance and have their name put on originally?
you can have them give you 45k marriott back for the voucher

Offline mmgfarb

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Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1111 on: January 08, 2017, 10:34:24 AM »
you can have them give you 45k marriott back for the voucher
That's a horribly deal even if the price for these drops to $250.
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Offline chinagel

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1112 on: January 08, 2017, 11:16:39 AM »
That's a horribly deal even if the price for these drops to $250.
idk what they actually sold for but i doubt it was very much, there isnt a huge demand for 7 nights at 1 hotel. besides which many people would take 15k spg for 250

Offline Agoldsc1

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1113 on: January 08, 2017, 12:08:36 PM »
Can a husband and wife each open a credit card and somehow combine the points towards a CP for one of them?

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1114 on: January 08, 2017, 12:52:11 PM »
Can a husband and wife each open a credit card and somehow combine the points towards a CP for one of them?

No, must be 110k accumulated in 1 account.

Offline miles lover

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1115 on: January 08, 2017, 03:09:12 PM »
How long does it take from you initiate the transfer of Marriott points until you actually have the companion pass ?

Offline ADG

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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1116 on: January 08, 2017, 03:37:33 PM »
Can one sell the companion pass?
Can one book flights (one ticket) with his companion pass for another 2 ppl to travel?
Thanks

Offline mmgfarb

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Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1117 on: January 08, 2017, 03:45:33 PM »
Can one sell the companion pass?
Can one book flights (one ticket) with his companion pass for another 2 ppl to travel?
Thanks
AH and companion both have to be traveling.
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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1118 on: January 09, 2017, 01:04:41 PM »
Spoke with CS at southwest. Seems that all passes should post within the next 7 business days. I asked for them to expedite mine as I have flight later this week but it didn't seem that would be a possibility.

The phone number to call is: 855-234-4654 option 5. 7 am - 6 pm cst. Hold time for me was close to an hour.

I'm very grateful to Southwest for leaving a small window for those of us that want to take advantage of this promotion.
Quote from: JTZ link=topic=10531.msg1695873
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Re: Southwest Companion Pass Master Thread
« Reply #1119 on: January 09, 2017, 01:24:05 PM »
Guys- wondering about your thoughts here for a family of 6 to utilize this promo from NYC area.
Seems flights from NYC airports (nonstop ones anyway) seem to be double the other airlines rendering this companion ticket a wash...

Anyone else going through this or have any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks All.