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Act quickly: Get a 2-month Companion Pass with qualifying flights when you register (and book) by Wednesday

Aug. 28, 2023
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3 min read
Side of a Southwest Boeing 737
Act quickly: Get a 2-month Companion Pass with qualifying flights when you register (and book) by Wednesday
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Editor's Note

This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

Southwest Airlines has brought back one of its popular status challenge promotions. Rapid Rewards members can once again earn a limited-time Companion Pass — this time valid for two months — by completing two one-way flights or one round-trip flight by Aug. 30. The Companion Pass is a 2-for-1 that lets you bring a friend with you for “free” when you travel. You just have the pay the taxes on your friend’s ticket.

With the Companion Pass being a golden goose for couples or friends looking to get away, here’s the scoop on this recent Southwest offer.

The details

Southwest Companion Pass offer
SOUTHWEST.COM



The promotion is straightforward, but there’s a very limited window of time to utilize it.

  1. Register here (not every account is eligible, but you can check your eligibility).
  2. Purchase a paid round-trip flight or two one-way flights by Aug. 30.
  3. Travel by Sept. 30.

If you complete all three requirements, your Companion Pass will be eligible from Jan. 8 to March 8, 2024. You can designate a companion and begin booking flights for said companion after the pass is awarded to your account (on Jan. 8).

It’s important to note that the flights you book must be paid tickets to qualify. Tickets using Rapid Rewards points are not eligible. However, flights booked on unused LUV vouchers, travel funds or gift cards do count.

In addition, this doesn’t apply to previously booked flights, so if you have an existing reservation, it won’t count. However, you could try to cancel the ticket and then rebook your travel at current prices using the travel funds from the original itinerary.

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Finally, if you change your itinerary after purchase, the flights may not qualify for the promotion.

Related: Quick Points: How to fly with a friend for almost free with the Southwest Companion Pass

Bottom line

Southwest has brought back its promotion to earn a Companion Pass for a limited time when you complete qualifying flights. Normally, earning Southwest’s Companion Pass requires 100 one-way flights or 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in a year. So, this promotion is a great way to take the Companion Pass program for a test drive early next year.

Just be sure to register and book your ticket by this Wednesday, Aug. 30 — and then complete your flight(s) by Sept. 30.

Featured image by AFP via Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.