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

Southwest Airlines remains a favorite for many flyers thanks to its generous ticket exchange policy, complimentary checked luggage and quirky boarding process. But for the most loyal Southwest travelers, the Companion Pass allows you to designate a friend to travel with you for free. Yes, it's buy one, get one free on all Southwest flights — whether you're paying cash or using Rapid Rewards points. You just have to pay the taxes on the ticket.

So what's the scoop on this unique status tier, and how do you earn it to bring a friend on your next trip for free?

Let's dive in.

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How do you earn the Companion Pass?

Southwest has three status tiers: A-List, A-List Preferred and Companion Pass. So as you might expect, the earning requirements are highest for Companion Pass. Like all Southwest status tiers, you must qualify annually to retain your status.

There are two ways that you can earn the Companion Pass:

• 100 one-way qualifying flights on Southwest in a year.
• 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points in a year.

Earning the Companion Pass through 100 one-way flights is relatively straightforward. You just have to have 100 flights on Southwest in a year. Yes, that's a lot of flying. For most travelers, the 135,000 qualifying points is an easier route to the Companion Pass. You can earn these points through Rapid Rewards activities including:

• Flying on Southwest.
• Doing business with travel partners like hotels and car rental agencies.
• Dining through the Rapid Rewards Dining program.
• Opening and/or using a Southwest credit card (like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card), including sign-up bonuses.

It's important to note that the latter three activities earn points toward the Companion Pass but not toward A-List or A-List Preferred status. Also, you shouldn't overlook that Southwest lets you use cobranded credit card welcome bonuses to earn points toward the Companion Pass. By opening the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card and earning the 80,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months, you will have earned at least 85,000 of the 135,000 qualifying points required for the Companion Pass.

Just note that transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest does not count toward Companion Pass qualification.

Related: The best Southwest Airlines credit cards in 2022

How does the Companion Pass work?

Now, it's time for the fun part — bringing a friend along on your Southwest flights for (almost) free.

Within a couple of days of your Companion Pass qualification, you'll receive an email where you can nominate your companion. You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year, so choose the lucky individual wisely. Check out our four-step guide to using the Companion Pass.

As mentioned, you'll just need to pay the taxes for your companion to fly. On domestic flights, that's $5.60 one-way per person, while international flights can be more expensive.

Related: What is Southwest Airlines elite status worth in 2022?

Bottom line

The Southwest Companion Pass lets you bring along a friend at virtually no cost. While 100 one-way flights in a year is a steep requirement, earning 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points isn't too far out of reach when you find a generous cobranded credit card welcome bonus.

And who wouldn't want to bring a loved one to Hawaii, Aruba or Costa Rica — all destinations of Southwest Airlines.