Within the circles of points and miles aficionados, the Southwest Companion Pass® holds a revered status. It promises the allure of nearly complimentary flights for a partner for a significant duration. But my encounter with it left me realizing its utility was far more constrained than anticipated, not just for myself, but for the majority. That’s not to dissuade others from pursuing it, but here’s why I’ll opt out in the future.

Insufficient Travel Frequency for Many

When I secured the Companion Pass, I was in a marital union. However, while I frequently embarked on solitary journeys for professional purposes, our joint travels were infrequent, resulting in a meager return on the pass investment.

At that time, parenthood compounded the challenge. The idea of flying with a young child felt overwhelming. Moreover, as a frazzled new mother, my companion understandably harbored little enthusiasm for disrupting her routine with frequent jaunts.

Acquiring the Coveted Privilege Demands Substantial Effort

Back in 2015, securing the Companion Pass demanded a significant effort, totaling 110,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards® points within a single calendar year. My strategy involved acquiring both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card.

Working with limited financial resources, I just managed to meet the spending thresholds for the cards’ bonuses. However, these bonuses alone fell short of the 110,000-point mark required for the pass. To bridge the gap, I took on an additional reimbursable expense at my workplace.

At that juncture, I was fully committed to strategizing and exhaustively pursuing the bonus. Yet, for many, the prospect of opening two credit cards within a brief timeframe and meticulously adhering to the spending and timing criteria presents a formidable challenge. Particularly for those new to the realm of travel rewards or uninterested in delving into it as a pastime, the endeavor might seem overly precarious.

Furthermore, the criteria for earning the pass have been heightened since 2015, amplifying the dedication necessary to achieve it outside of special promotional opportunities.

Sometimes, Other Airlines Offer Better Deals

The Southwest Companion Pass strategy shines brightest when paired with Southwest’s trademark low fares. However, if you’re not situated close to one of their main airports, your options for snagging affordable flights are quite limited.

Consider my situation: Salt Lake City International serves as my home base. While I can often score budget-friendly Southwest flights to Las Vegas and Denver, opportunities for wallet-friendly fares to other destinations like Los Angeles and San Francisco are sporadic at best.

Whenever my travel plans veered beyond these select cities, I found myself facing notably higher prices compared to what other airlines were offering. Even though the Companion Pass meant I only had to foot the bill for taxes and fees for my partner, the expenditure of points or cash for my own ticket didn’t seem justified, especially when cheaper alternatives were readily available with competing carriers.

My Focus Shifted Towards More Rewarding Pursuits

Let me clarify: the Southwest Companion Pass undeniably holds considerable value. However, unless you’re jet-setting across the skies multiple times annually and harbor a steadfast loyalty to a single airline, I’ve come to realize that fixating on squeezing every last drop of value from airline credit cards may not be the wisest course of action.

Instead, I opted to redirect my efforts towards maximizing the rewards and perks offered by broader travel rewards programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, and Capital One Miles.

These platforms provide substantially greater flexibility when it comes to redeeming travel rewards, affording me the ability to utilize my points or miles for a variety of travel-related expenses beyond just booking flights. Furthermore, they grant me the versatility to transfer my accrued rewards across multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs as I see fit.

More recently, I’ve chosen to forgo travel-centric rewards programs altogether, prioritizing the sheer adaptability and straightforwardness of cash back incentives.

Is Pursuing the Southwest Companion Pass Worth It?

Although many in the points and miles community highly prize the Southwest Companion Pass, I believe that the level of dedication needed to obtain it and fully utilize its benefits may only justify the pursuit for a minority of travelers.

Consider these scenarios where pursuing the Companion Pass might be advantageous:

• If you regularly fly with Southwest and typically travel with a companion.

• If you’re willing to go through the required steps to qualify for the pass.

• If your local airport serves as a hub for Southwest or regularly offers affordable Southwest flights to various destinations.

Furthermore, Southwest occasionally offers a temporary promotion, granting Rapid Rewards members the chance to experience the pass for a brief period by registering and booking either a round-trip flight or two one-way flights within a specified timeframe.

In Conclusion

Although I’ve personally opted against pursuing the Companion Pass once more, it can deliver substantial value to couples and families who frequently fly with the budget carrier.

Nevertheless, before committing to earning this benefit, carefully evaluate your travel patterns and expenditure to ascertain whether the endeavor is truly worthwhile.