Southwest Airlines Lures Passengers with New Credit Card Companion Pass Offer
Joe Cortez February 09, 2021
Considered one of the best loyalty benefits among airlines, the Southwest Companion Pass will soon be a little more achievable for new qualifying credit card applicants. The latest offer allows new cardholders to earn 30,000 Rapid Rewards points and the Companion Pass valid through Feb. 28, 2022, after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first three months.
Of all the benefits available to frequent flyers, none may be more coveted than the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass. Usually earned after acquiring 125,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points or flying 100 one-way flights, the airline is partnering with Chase to make it a little easier to earn the Companion Pass this year.
Companion Pass Offer Available Across Southwest Consumer Credit Cards
Under the new promotion, new Southwest Rapid Rewards cardholders will be able to earn the Companion Pass through credit card spending. Cardholders who are approved for one of the consumer Southwest Rapid Rewards cards – the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority cards – can earn both the Companion Pass and 30,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.
The Companion Pass allows flyers to designate one additional person as their companion, and effectively acts as a “buy one, get one free” offer. When the passholder books a flight, their companion can travel for only the cost of taxes and fees. In addition, the passholder can change their companion up to five times per year, giving flyers flexibility on who their companions may be.
In order to qualify, you must be a new cardholder, and not currently hold any Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards with Chase. According to the terms, Chase cardmembers who currently have or have had a Chase credit card in any Rewards Program associated with this offer, may not be eligible for a second Chase credit card in the same Rewards Program.
In addition to the promotion, cardmembers can earn two Southwest Rapid Rewards points per $1 spent with Southwest, and one point per $1 everywhere else. They will also receive a bonus on their card anniversary date, which varies based on the card they hold.
Move In Line with Other Travel Brands, Encouraging New Cardholders to Apply
As travel hopes to start opening up in 2021, the move is in line with other companies who are using their credit card programs to encourage new applicants. World of Hyatt recently announced a new bonus for their co-branded credit card with Chase, while American Express rolled out new benefits for their suite of co-branded travel cards.
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I don't feel that this is too much skin off anyone's back. I'm mostly UA, but occasionally do WN for short business hops. If the family is going on a vacation, it surely is not in those seats. I even thought about asking if the CP works to Hawaii, and after 2 seconds I said to myself "I would never fly WN to Hawaii"...even with one free seat.
@jamesteroh —someone getting the CP doesn’t take anything away from current CP holders, unlike other airline benefits like free upgrades where folks are competing for resources.
Only $3K in spend for a companion pass? I haven't flown WN on a flight since they changed the RR program from a credit program but I thought you had to have 100 credits (100 one way tickets if it was actual flgiths0 to get it back then. That really sucks for their frequent flyers who earned the pass. This is as bad as Hilton giving out diamond status with their credit card
I get SWA trying to drum up business during these crazy times but way to diminish the program that us frequent flyers bust our ass attaining. All we need is more "non traditional flyers" earning status, how about giving us companion pass earners that do it through loyalty and flights an extra bone then....