Do I Have to Book Directly with Southwest to Use the Companion Pass?

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TPG reader Matt sent me a message on Facebook to ask about using a companion ticket on flights booked through a third party:

“If I book a Southwest flight using ThankYou points, can I still add a companion to that reservation?"

You can get a lot of value out of companion tickets, but many of them come loaded with rules and restrictions that make them difficult to use. Some make you pay a fee in order to redeem, while others limit you to more expensive fare classes or require that you book directly with the airline. In contrast, the Southwest Companion Pass is free and exceptionally easy to use, which is part of why it's one of the most valuable travel rewards out there.

One of the most potent aspects of the Companion Pass is that you can use it on any flight so long as you're a ticketed passenger and there's a seat available. It doesn't matter whether you book directly with Southwest or through a third party. Even better, it doesn't matter how you pay; the Companion Pass works whether or not you buy your own ticket, and it can even be used when you pay for your flight with points.

Matt wants to add a companion to a flight booked through the Citi ThankYou Travel Center — Southwest doesn't usually sell tickets through online travel agencies, but you can book by phone through Citi ThankYou Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and (at a much lower redemption rate) Amex Membership Rewards. Once you're ticketed, you'll be able to add a companion to your itinerary like normal. Furthermore, you'll earn Rapid Rewards points and elite credits on the way, since your flight will count as a revenue fare.

It's worth noting that this shouldn't technically be allowed according to Southwest's rules, which state that the Companion Pass can be used "... on Southwest Airlines flights purchased by the Member and booked through Southwest Airlines during the Companion Pass validity period." In practice, however, booking with a third party doesn't seem to make a difference, and I have yet to hear from anyone who was unable to add a companion to a reservation made through Citi, Chase or Amex. (If you've had trouble with this, please share your experience in the comments below.)

The Citi Premier® Card enables you to redeem points for flights and other travel at 1.25 cents apiece through the ThankYou Travel Center. Citi Prestige cardholders currently get a higher rate of 1.33 cents per point on most travel purchases, or 1.6 cents per point on American Airlines, but those redemption rates will decrease next summer. In either case, you'll generally get better value by transferring your rewards to airline partners, but redeeming on Southwest makes a lot of sense if you plan to use the Companion Pass and don't have Rapid Rewards or Ultimate Rewards points on hand.

For more on earning and using the Southwest Companion Pass, check out these posts:

• How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass for Almost Two Years
• Transferring Hotel Points to Get the Southwest Companion Pass
• What Is Southwest Airlines Elite Status Worth in 2016?

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.