Here’s how you can score a free Southwest Companion Pass

It’s been a hot minute since Southwest has had some positive press, so I’m happy to report that following the airline’s horrific December flight cancelation fiasco, you can now fly for free—sort of. If you don’t already know about the Southwest Companion Pass, let me fill you in. 

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best travel rewards offerings

The Companion Pass allows you to choose one person to fly with you free of airline charges (excluding taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way) each time you purchase or redeem points for a flight. Normally, to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass, you need to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. You’ll then get the pass for the following full calendar year, plus the remainder of the year in which you earned it. 

Now there’s an easier way to get the pass

But if you’re like me (that is, someone who doesn’t want to put in the work for the perks), you’ll be happy to know you can now score the Southwest Companion Pass by simply opening a new credit card. The new move from Southwest, which went into effect this week, allows travelers to earn a companion pass by simply opening a Southwest Rapids Rewards credit card from Chase. Cardholders earn a companion pass to use through Feb. 28, 2024. 

You’ll have to act fast

Travelers must sign up by March 13, 2023. New card members also get 30,000 Rapid Rewards points that never expire—just spend $4,000 in the first three months to activate the benefits. The companion offer is attached to the Southwest Plus, Premier, and Priority Rapid Rewards credit cards.