Parents With Infants Can Buy 1, Get 2 Free Via Southwest Companion Pass

Feb. 01, 2019

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5 min read

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Southwest's Companion Pass is one of the most generous and virtually unmatched airline perks in the industry for anyone who likes to travel with a friend or family member because the pass holder can bring along a designated companion on Southwest flights for just the cost of taxes. But -- for those with babies, it's an especially sweet deal.

That's because if you have a budding traveler that still qualifies for free travel courtesy of the airline's lap infant policy, holding a Companion Pass effectively enables three-for-one travel. And yes, if you happen to have twins that are under 2 years of age, you can extract maximum value by getting four-for-one travel on both paid and award tickets with Southwest as long as they are both lap infants (one for you, and your companion).

Traveling with the Companion Pass has always been a great deal, but now through Feb. 11, all three personal Southwest credit cards are offering a sign-up bonus that includes the Companion Pass. The Companion Pass opens up two-for-one travel on Southwest for both paid and award travel, with no limits on how frequently you can use it or where you go (and yes, that includes Southwest's flights to international destinations and forthcoming Hawaii flights).

Maximizing Companion Pass With Infants

These limited-time sign-up bonuses grant new card holders the Companion Pass through Dec. 31, 2019, as well as 30,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points, after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. With the credit card offer, you’ll only have the Companion Pass through the end of 2019. And since you’ll earn it after meeting the spending requirement, you’ll want to spend the $4,000 as quickly as you (responsibly) can. The terms say it could take up to eight weeks to receive the Companion Pass after you meet the minimum spend, but in practice you’ll likely see it hit your account sooner -- after the statement for the business cycle in which you hit the spending requirement closes.

As long as your baby will still be under 2 years of age by the end of this year (or you're expecting the adoption or birth of a newborn in the near term), you'll be able to maximize how many family members can fly along gratis. Plus, here's how you can extend the Companion Pass offer for another year, which would mean having it for all of 2020.

Official application links: Earn the Companion Pass and enjoy 2-for-1 travel for the rest of 2019 with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.

For the full breakdown of the offers, head here.

Adding Your Infant to Your Southwest Reservation

It's simple to add an infant to a new or existing Southwest booking, though it can't be done online. However, before you add your little one, you might want to visit Southwest.com and create a new Rapid Rewards account for him/her. While infants do not earn points for flights flown for free as an infant-in-arms (or as a companion on a Companion Pass), it never hurts to start chronicling their adventures around the world — they'll appreciate it soon enough.

Earlier this month, I rang Southwest's general customer service line and informed the agent that my adopted newborn would be joining us on an upcoming Southwest flight. After providing his name, Rapid Rewards number and date of birth, I was emailed an updated itinerary with his name affixed -- easy-peasy. You can also wait and do this at the check-in counter on the day of travel, but you need to allow some additional time.

Also on the day of travel you will need to show your baby's birth certificate or other age verification document as Southwest does verify the age of those flying as lap infants and then provides a boarding verification card to present when boarding.

If flying internationally with a lap infant on Southwest, be prepared to pay taxes on the ticket for your baby, even if they are a lap infant. You won't be charged a portion of the fare as with some airlines, but travel also won't be 100% free.

(Image by Pablo Martin Rodriguez / EyeEm / Getty Images)

Bottom Line

Flying with a lap infant is a great deal, especially while your baby is so small and snuggly that they are happiest in your arms. Flying with a Southwest Companion Pass where anyone you designate can fly with you for just the cost of taxes is also a tremendous offer. Put those two features together, and your little family can enjoy buy-one-get-three-free, at least until the little one needs his or her own seat.

If you're just now learning of Southwest's Companion Pass, be sure to dig into our guides below to learn more.

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Featured image by 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.