California Residents: Have You Gotten Your Southwest Companion Pass Yet?
Great news for California residents — in case you haven't heard, you can get a Southwest Companion Pass after just one purchase through a spectacular offer from Southwest. If this is old news to you, we have an update. A bunch of TPG readers reported Wednesday that they have successfully gotten their companion passes!
Commenter Molly reports that her first purchase was on October 30 and she received an email from Southwest Wednesday (November 15) saying that she'd earned the Pass. "GS" made the first purchase on October 19 but also got the confirmation email Wednesday. "Tacos" also provided two data points Wednesday: Tacos made the first purchase October 24 and had a friend who made his first purchase October 28. Both received emails Wednesday.
If you've already signed up for a credit card through this promotion and made a purchase, check your email to see if you also got an email Wednesday. If not, remember that the terms and conditions say that you should "allow up to eight weeks for Companion Pass to be fulfilled after making first purchase." So, it's possible that Wednesday was just the first batch of fulfilled passes and that more will be coming soon.
If you haven't gotten in on this amazing deal yet, here's how it works: Now through November 30, California residents can get a Southwest Companion Pass valid through December 31, 2018 after signing up for a Chase Rapid Rewards credit card and making just one purchase. This was initially targeted only to those that got an email from Southwest, but was opened up to all California residents shortly afterward.
Based on reader comments, there still seems to be a bit of confusion surrounding whether you can get the companion pass through December 31, 2019 if you wait to make the purchase until January 1, 2018. However, the terms and conditions are clear: "Promotional Companion Pass is valid from the time promotion qualifications are met, through December 31, 2018." However, there's still a way to get the Pass through December 31, 2019.
There's also been confusion and concern when TPG readers have been calling Chase or Southwest and agents have been unaware of this promotion. Be assured that The Points Guy has confirmed with Southwest corporate communications that this promotion is valid, open to all California residents and that the airline is working to communicate better internally. As long as you sign up through the offer and follow the terms and conditions, you should receive your Companion Pass.
So, have you gotten your companion pass yet?
Feature photo courtesy Southwest
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees